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HISTORY 

OF    THE 

PROTESTANT    EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH^    <co 

IN   THE 

.COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER, 

FROM   ITS   FOUNDATION, 

A.  D.  1C93,'to  A.  D.  1853. 

BY  ROBERT  BOLTON,  A.  M. 

AUTHOR    OP    THE   "  HISTORY    OF    WESTCHESTER    COUNTY.''       A     MEMBER     OF    THE    PR0T 
EPISCOPAL,    XEW-YORK,   AND    GEORGIA    HISTORICAL    SOCIETIES. 


•:  The  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  is  the  brightest  light  shinino;  in  the 
candlestick  of  the  Reformation ;  it  has  done  more,  and  is  doing  more,  for  the 
cause  of  Christ,  than  all  Christendom  united.'' — Hon.  Rufus  King. 


NEW- Y  ORK: 

STANFORD&   SWORDS,  PUBLISHERS. 
1S55. 


; 


Entered  according  to   Act  ofCongre=3,  in  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-fiv 

BY    ROBERT    BOLTON, 
Iu  the  Clerk's  Office  ot  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New-Yor 


flunks  be  la  ©ob 
for  il)e 

foeuerable  propagation  Society. 


21088 


BtfetfBttlNt, 


TO    THE 

RIGHT  REV.  WILLIAM  HEATHi  0T£  De  LANCE1 

D.  D..  D.  C.  L..  OXQN. 

bishop  or  the  diocese  of  western  new-york 

Rt.  Ret.  Sir  : 

The  idea  of  dedicating  this  volume  to  you,  a 
native  of  Westchester,  was  almost  co-existant  with  the  resolution  to 
enter  upon  its  compilation ;  and  surely,  to  no  individual  could  it  be 
so  justly  or  appropriately  inscribed,  as  to  the  great  grandson  of  Col, 
Caleb  Heathcote,  to  whom,  under  God,  the  Church  in  Westchester 
County  owes  a  deep  debt  of  gratitude  for  her  first  foundation  and 
protection. 

Trusting  that   the   present    work   may  find   some   claim   to  your 
favor, 

I  remain, 

Right  Rev.  Sir, 

Your  obedient  Servant; 

ROBERT  BOLTON 
New  RoclieUe.  May  \st,  1855 


E EEATA. 


F*ge.  line. 

20     2 
20     4 

20     7 


69  17 

80  17 

124    5 


126  23 

219 

236 

4 

314 

14 

316  35 

330 

337 

1 

351 

14 

For  1093  read  1683. 

Omit  the  following,  in  1703, 
and  read,  probably  in  1700. 

Omit  the  following,  he  died 
in  1767,  and  read,  he  died 
atMorrisania  in  1701. 

Note  a,  for  Hawks'  New- 
York,  MSS.  from  archives 
at  Fulham.  &c.,  read  New- 
York,  MSS.  from  archives 
at  Fulham,  &c,  (Hawks,) 
and  also  wherever  this  re- 
ference occurs. 

After  Sherlock  read,  he  was 
licensed  by  the  same  prelate 
Feb.  25th,  1761. 

After  orders,  read,  he  was  li- 
censed by  the  Bishop  of  Lon- 
don, Dec.  23rd,  1753. 

After  Church-yard  insert, 
which  is  coeval. 

For  1713,  read  1714. 

Note  a,  after  vol.  insert  xi. 

After  in,  insert  December. 

For  Dr.  Hinchman,  read 
Richard  Terrick,  D.  D. 

For  to,  read  do. 

Note  a,  for  Legislatue,  read 
Legislature. 

After  Church,  read  on  the 

2-or  1707,  read  1704. 


Page.  Line. 

379  12  For  unclose,  read  enclose. 

381  15  After  Bachelor  insert  1811. 

382  26  For  Rapalye,  read  Bapelye. 
395     1  For  Bonrepos,  read  De  Bon- 

repos. 
402  18  For  country,  read  county. 
409  21  After  not  insert  only. 
416  39  For  £1.00,  read  £3.00. 
416  44  For  £3.00,  read  £1  6. 
436  23  Before  constantly,   insert    I 
reside. 
4  For  Revaud,  read  Ravaud. 
9  After  family,  insert  also  of  a 
Silver   Flaggon,  paten    and 
two  Alms   Plates,  given  as 
an    "Easter    Offering,''     in 
1853,  by  Mrs.  Susan  Dau- 
beny. 
14  For  Bebts,  read  Bebits. 

Note    b,    for    pidgeon    read 
pigeon. 

491  24  After  militia  insert,  and  also, 

after  property  omit  and, 

492  5  After  his  insert,  conduct  gain- 

ed. 
504  20  For  missson,  read  mission. 
508        Note  d,  for  1165,  read  1615, 

and  for  dawrient,  read  hau- 

rient. 
605  32  For  1850,  read  1801. 
630  29  For  Febuary,  read  February. 


475 

479 


4S8 
489 


P  RE  FA  CE. 


The  principal  source  from  which  the  materials  for  this  history 
have  been  drawn,  are  the  voluminous  MSS.,  copied  from  the  Archives 
at  Fulham,  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  F.  L.  Hawks,  D.  D. ; 
the  printed  Abstracts  from  the  Proceedings  of  the  Venerable 
Propagation  Society  ;  Humphrey's  Historical  Account  of  the 
Incorporated  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  &c.  • 
Hawkin's  Missions  of  the  Church  of  England  ;  Anderson's  History 
of  the  Colonial  Church  ;  History  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
in  America,  by  the  Bishop  of  Oxford ;  Berrian's  Historical  Sketch  of 
Trinity  Church,  N.  Y. ;  Collections  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  His- 
torical Society ;  the  Probate  Records  at  New-York ;  the  County 
Records,  and  the  Minutes  of  the  Vestries  of  the  various  parishes. 
Other  sources  of  information  have  been  diligently  and  often  success- 
fully sought  after  ;  and  everything  in  the  Worcester,  Philadelphia  and 
New- York  libraries,  calculated  to  throw  light  on  the  subject,  has  been 
carefully  examined.  No  time  nor  pains  have  been  spared  to  render 
the  work  as  accurate  as  possible.  The  principal  cause  which  has  de- 
layed its  publication  was  an  accidental  fire,  soon  after  the  work  was  in 
press,  which  destroyed  much  of  the  MSS.  The  delay,  however,  has 
made  the  work  much  more  full  aud  accurate  than  it  could  otherwise 
have  been,  and  it  is  hoped  that  it  will  not  be  found  an  unacceptable 
contribution  to  the  Ecclesiastical  History  of  our  country. 

The  author  takes  this  opportunity  of  returning  his  grateful  acknow- 
ledgments to  all  those  who  have  in  any  way  assisted  towards  the  com- 
pletion of  the  present  work.  He  cannot  omit  expressing  his  particular 
obligation  to  the  Rev.  Francis  L.  Hawks,  D.  D.,  L.L.  D.,  Historio- 
grapher of  the  Church,  for  the  help  which  he  afforded  him  in  tran- 
scribing the  MS.  letters  of  the  Missionaries,  and  for  his  readiness  in 
enabling  him  to  examine  the  other  treasures  in  his  valuable  library, 
also  to  the  Rev.  A.  B.  Chapin,  D.  D.  of  South  Glastonbury,  Ct.,  for  per- 


viii  PREFACE. 

mitting  him  the  use  of  some  of  those  rich  stores  of  his  library,  without 
which  he  would  have  been  frequently  at  a  loss  to  know  how  to  proceed. 
He  is  also  indebted  to  the  Rev.  E.  Bourns,  L.L.  D.,  President  of  the 
University  of  Norwich,  Vt .,  for  many  extracts  from  the  Matriculation 
books  of  the  various  colleges  at  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  and  the 
University  of  Dublin.  His  thanks  are  also  due  to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Sea- 
bury,  D.  D.,  N.  Y. ;  Rev.  J.  W.  Collison,  St.  John's  College,  Cam- 
bridge ;  Rev.  Francis  Martin,  Bursar  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge ; 
Rev.  Wm,  Digby  Sadlier,  sen.,  Lecturer  of  Trinity  College,  Dublin  : 
Rev.  "William  P.  Hutton,  Stanley  Place,  Chester,  England  ;  Rev. 
Micajah  Towusend,  Clarenceville,  Canada  East:  Rev.  Edmund 
Barry,  D.  D.,  Jersey  City ;  Rev.  Benjamin  Dorr,  D.  D.,  Phil. ; 
Rev.  F.  M.  Nell,  Setauket,  L.  I. ;  Rev.  H.  T.  Wilcoxson,  Smith- 
field  Isle  of  Wight,  Virginia ;  Rev.  Nathaniel  Hyatt,  Santee,  S.  C.  ; 
Rev.  Wm.  Payne,  Schenectady;  Rev.  E.  Punderson,  New  Hartford, 
Western  N.  Y. ;  Rev.  Theodore  D.  Woolsey,  President  of  Yale  Col- 
lege •  Rev.  C.  Y.  De  Normandie,  Brooklyn,  Ct.  ;  Joseph  Rom- 
illy,  Trinity  College,  Cambridge ;  Edward  F.  De  Lancey,  Esq., 
N.  Y. ;  John  C.  Jay,  Esq.,  Rye,  N.  Y. ;  Samuel  Punderson, 
M.  D,  New  Haven,  Ct  ;  Samuel  S.  Rogers,  N.  Y.  ;  William 
Hawkesworth,  Charleston,  S.  C. ;  Micajah  Townsend,  L.  I. ;  Charles 
Pinkney,  Yarmouth,  Nova  Scotia;  Gouverneur  Wilkins,  Esq.,  West- \ 
Chester  ;  James  Hay,  Esq.,  Eastchester ;  E.  B.  O'Callaghan,  Albany, 
N.  Y.  ;  Job  Williams,  Esq.,  Pomfret,  Ct. ;  Messrs.  Stanford  &  Swords, 
Publishers.  New-York;  and  Grarfet  Ashton,  Esq.,  of  Cambridge.  Eng- 
land. The  rectors  of  the  various  parishes  throughout  the  County  have 
likewise,  in  reply  to  his  various  enquiries,  communicated  much  val- 
uable information. 


INTRODUCTION. 


Ix  giving  a  history  of  tlie  Anglo-American  Church  in  Westchester 
County,  it  appears  proper  in  an  Introduction  to  give  some  account  of 
the  state  of  religion  prior  to,  and  after  its  organization.  This  will 
clearly  demonstrate  the  state  of  things,  which  grew  up  under  Non- 
Episcopal  Ministrations,  and  the  necessity  for  introducing  the  Church 
which  has  always  proved  herself  a  sure  bulwark  against  error. 

"We  shall  commence,  therefore,  with  the  year  1642,  when  the  first 
settlement  of  Westchester  was  begun  by  Mr.  John  Throckmorton,  and 
thirty-five  associates,  who  came  from  New  England,  with  the  approba- 
tion of  the  Dutch  authorities  of  New- York.  Fifteen  years  after,  we 
are- informed,  that  the  inhabitants  of  Oostdorp,  or  Westchester,  "  wsre 
Puritans  or  Independents,  who  had  no  preacher  among  them."  We 
are  also  told,  that  "  as  early  as  16G0,  Eye  paid  taxes  for  the  support 
of  religion,  although  no  church  was  formed  or  pastor  ordained." 

The  English  laying  claim  to  New-Netherlands,  it  was  surrendered 
to  them  by  the  Dutch,  A.  D.  1G64.  For  the  encouragement  of  settlers, 
Richard  Nicolls,  the  first  English  Governor, published  an  instrument 
in  which  he  declared  u  that  in  all  territories  of  his  Royal  Highness, 
liberty  of  conscience  is  allowed,  provided  such  liberty  is  not  converted 
into  licentiousness,  or  the  disturbance  of  others  in  the  exercise  of  the 
Protestant  Religion."  The  Charter  of  Privileges  granted  by  the  Duke 
of  York  to  the  inhabitants  of  New-York,  confirmed  "  the  respective 
Christian  Churches,  now  in  practice  within  the  City  of  New- York,  Long 
Island,  and  the  other  places  of  this  province,  that  they  shall  be  held 
and  reputed  as  privileged  churches,  and  enjoy  their  former  liberty  of 
their  religions  in  divine  worship  and  church  discipline." 

Immediately  after  the  surrender  it  became  a  matter  of  indispensable 
and  pressing  necessity,  that  laws  and  ordinances  should  be  passed, 
adapted  to  the    then  condition  of  the    Colony,  whereupon  Governor 


x  INTRODUCTION. 

Nicolls,  invited  the  inhabitants  of  Westchester  and  other  towns,  upon 
Long  Island,  to  send  Delegates  to  a  General  Meeting  at  Hempstead} 
on  the  28th  of  February,  1GG5.  The  Convention  met  at  the 
time  appointed,  when  there  appeared  for  Westchester,  Edward  Jessup 
and  John  Qainby.  At  this  meeting  was  promulgated  a  body  of  laws 
and  ordinances,  for  the  future  Government  of  die  Province,  which  were 
called,  by  way  of  distinction,  "  The  Duke's  Laws."  Among  the  prin- 
cipal provisions  of  the  code  are  the  following: — "Whereas  the  public 
worship  of  God  is  much  discredited,  for  the  want  of  painful  and  able- 
ministers  to  instruct  the  people  in  the  true  religion,  and  for  want  of 
convenient  places  capable  to  receive  any  assembly  of  people  in  a  de- 
cent manner,  for  celebrating  God's  holy  ordinances,  ordered,  that  a 
church  shall  be  built  in  the  most  convenient  part  of  each  parish,  ca- 
pable to  receive  and  accommodate  two  hundred  persons.  To  prevent 
scandalous  and  ignorant  pretenders  to  the  ministry,  from  intruding 
themselves  as  teachers,  no  minister  shall  be  admitted  to  officiate  within 
the  Government,  but  such  as  shall  produce  testimonials  to  the  Gov- 
ernor that  he  received  ordination,  either  from  some  Protestant  Bishop 
or  Ministers  within  some  part  of  his  majesty's  dominions,  or  the  do- 
minions of  any  foreign  prince  of  the  reformed  religion ;  upon  which 
testimonials  the  Governor  shall  induct  the  said  minister  into  the  par- 
ish that  shall  make  presentation  of  him." 

The  Duke's  Laws  continued  to  govern  the  province  until  the  first 
Provincial  Assembly  convened  by   Governor  Dongan,  in  1683. 

Col.  Heathcote  writing  to  the  Venerable  Society  in  1704,  says  : — 
;'  When  I  first  arrived  in  the  Province,  (A.  D.  1692)  I  found  it  (West- 
chester) the  most  rude  and  heathenish  country  I  ever  saw  in  my  whole 
life,  which  called  themselves  christians  ;  there  being  not  so  much  as  the 
least  marks  or  footsteps  of  religion  of  any  sort ;  Sundays  being  the 
only  time  set  apart  by  them  for  all  manner  of  vain  sports  and  lewd 
diversions,  and  they  were  grown  to  such  a  degree  of  rudeness  that  it 
was  intolerable,  and  having  then  the  command  of  the  militia,  I  sent  an 
order  to  all  the  Captains  requiring  them  to  call  their  men  under  arms, 
and  to  acquaint  them  that  in  case  they  would  not  in  every  town  agree 
among  themselves  to  appoint  readers,  and  pass  the  Sabbath  in  the  best 
manner  they  could,  till  such  times  as  they  could  be  better  provided, 
that  they  should,  every  Sunday,  call  their  companies  under  arms,  and 


INTRODUCTION.  xi 

id  the  day  in  exorcise,  whereupon  it  was  unanimously  agreed  on 
through  the  country  to  make  choice  of  readers,  which  they  accordingly 
did,  and  continued  in  those  methods  some  time."  This  description 
given  by  that  worthy  person,  who  proved  afterwards  highly  instrumen- 
tal in  settling  religion  both  here  and  in  the  neighboring  countries,  was 
confirmed  by  many  accounts  from  other  hands,  a 

In  1G92,  Col.  Benjamin  Fletcher  arrived  with  a  commission  to  be 
Governor  of  the  Colony.  His  very  first  act  was  to  issue  a  proclamation 
for  the  suppression  of  vice  and  the  observance  of  the  Lord's  day. 
This  was  published  throughout  "Westchester,  and  followed  on  the  15th 
day  of  December  of  that  year,  by  an  order  to  the  same  effect,  from  the 
County  Court  of  Sessions.  Upon  this  direction  to  observe  the  Sabbath 
and  choose  readers,  "Westchester,  Eastchester  and  Yonkers,  united  in 
calling  one  "Warham  Mather,  styled  a  student  in  Divinity.  This  was 
the  same  individual  described  by  Miller,  in  1695,  "as  a  young  man 
coming  to  settle  at  "Westchester  without  orders."  At  the  same  time, 
Rye  also  chose  one  John  Woodbridge ;  but  from  1690  to  1697,  they 
were  without  a  minister.  Even  as  late  as  1728,  Mr.  "Wetmore,  rector  of 
Eye,  says  : — "  the  dissenting  teachers  officiate  without  qualifying  them- 
selves." Such  however,  was  the  fearful  progress  of  Sabbath  breaking 
and  other  profanities,  that  the  Court  of  Sessions  for  "Westchester  County 
was  again  compelled  to  legislate  on  the  subject,  as  appears  from  the 
following  document : — 

'•'  At  a  Court  of  Sessions  held  at  Westchester,  June  the  6th  and  7th  days,  1693,  &c. 

Upon-complaint  made  to  the  Court,-  concerning  greate  disorders  and  prophaiuness 
iu  this  County  upon  the  Sabbath  days,  and  for  regulation  and  prevention  of  the  same, 
the  Court  orders,  that  whereas,  the  publick  worshipp  of  God  is  much  neglected, 
for  want  of  able  ministers  to  instruct  the  people  every  Sabbath  day,  and  on  such  pu- 
blick days  of  fasting  and  thauksgiveing,  that  are  appointed  or  shall  hereafter  be  ap- 
pointed by  His  Excellency,  the  Governor  and  Council,  and  General  Assembly, 
And  whereas,  we  fnfcl  that  severall  places  within  this  County,  are  not  in  a  capacity 
to  maintaiue  a  minister,  whereby  great  debaucheries  and  prophainness.  aro  commit- 
ted on  the  Lord's  days,  and  that  parents  and  masters  of  families  doe  not  traine  up 
youths  and  servants  iu  tho  foare  of  God,  and  observeing  His  holy  commandments, 
although  His  Excellency  hath  taken  speedy  care  after  his  arrivall  for  the  suppressing 


ries  Into  Religious  State  ef  the  Colonies  by  David  Humphreys,  D.  D.  1703. 
p.  31. 


xu  INTRODUCTION. 

of  vice  and  encouragement  of  virtue  and  observance  of  the  Lord's  day,  and  by  his"! 
proclamation,  which  hath  beene  published  in  this  County,  yett  very  many  takes  noe 
notice  thereof:  It's  therefore  ordered,  yett  within  every  Towne  precinct  and  patient 
within  this  County,  duo  observance  of  the  Lord's  day  shall  be  kept,  and  for  want  of 
an  able  minister  the  inhabitants  shall  employ  a  reader  to  read  out  of  good  books,  two 
Sermonds  every  Lord's  day,  (that  is  to  say,)  one  in  the  forenoone,  betweene  9  and 
11  o'clock,  and  one  in  the  afternoone,  betweene  2  and  4  o'clock,  at  such  places  as 
shall  be  thought  meet  and  convenient  by  ye  inhabitants  of  such  Towne  precinct 
and  pattent,  att  a  meeting  ordered  by  the  next  Justice  of  the  Peace  ;  provided  that 
if  the  inhabitants  will  not  appoynt  such  place  as  aforesaid,  that  then  the  next  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  shall  appoynt  a  place,  and  in  case  any  person  or  persons  shall  make 
derission,  or  make  any  unseemly  behaviour  in  the  time  of  publick  worshipp,  that 
then  the  said  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  said  place  or  precincts,  shall  commilt  all  such 
deriders  to  the  stocks  one  houre,  otherwise  shall  pay  tenn  shillings,  to  be  levyed  by 
the  constable,  the  one  half  to  ye  constable,  and  the  other  half  to  be  employed  to- 
wards relief  of  the  poor  of  said  place. 

|  It's  alsoe  ordered  that  noe  person  shall  sitt  tippleing  in  a  publick  ordenary  on  the 
Lord's  day,  upon  penalty  as  aforesaid,  or  at  other  times  on  penalty  as  the  law  di- 
rects, and  that  any  persons  inhabiting  within  this  County  shall  not  travill  on  the 
Lord's  day,  without  permition  and  make  known  their  oeation  to  the  next  Justice  of 
the  Peace,  upon  penalty' as  aforesaid,  likewise  noe  person  or  persons  shall  presume  to 
goe  a  fishing,  shooting  or  hunting  of  horses,  or  any  other  sports  which  makes  breach* 
of  the  Sabbath,  upon  ye  penalty  as  aforesaid,  provided,  that  this  order  shall  not  prohi- 
bit any  stranger  of  meat  and  drinke  for  his  refreshment  on  the  Sabbath  day. 

Also  any  Justice  of  the  Peace  which  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  grant  his  warrant 
to  the  constable,  for  laying  such  fines  upon  the  breakers  of  the  Sabbath,  shall  forfeit 
twenty  shillings  for  every  such  neglect  as  aforesaid,  and  that  the  constable  of  every 
respective  tow^ne  that  shall  publish  this  order  in  his  respective  place,  precinct  or  pat- 
tent,  and  inspect  and  give  notice  of  all  Sabbath  breakers  jo  the  next  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  on  penalty  as  aforesaid,  for  every  such  his  neglect."" 

The  lamentable  state  of  religion  in  the  year  1695,  is  thus  describee 
by  the  Rev.  John  Miller,  chaplain  to  his  Majesty's  forces  in  the  pro 
vince  of  New-York  :— "  A  great  inconveniency,  this  province  suffer: 
under,  is  in  relation  to    a  ministry  ;    now  in  New- York,  there  art 

either — 

«  1st.  No  ministers  at  all,  that  is,  of  the  settled  and  established  reli 
gion  of  the  nation,  and  of  such  there  is  not  oftentimes  one  inthewhoh 
province,  nor  at  any  time  except  the  chaplain  to  his  majesty's  forces  n 


Records  of  Court  of  Sessions  for  Westchester  County 


INTRODUCTION.  xiii 

New-York,  that  docs  discbarge,  or  pretend  to  discharge  the  duty  of  a 
minister,  and,  he  being  but  one,  cannot  do  it  every  where. 

"  2nd.  Or  secondly,  if  there  be  any  ministers,  they  are  such  as  only  call 
themselves  so,  and  are  but  pretended  ministers  ;  many  of  them  have  no 
orders  at  all,  but  set  up  for  themselves  of  their  own  head  and  authority  ; 
or,  if  they  have  orders,  are  Presbyterians,  Independents,  &c.  All 
these  have  no  other  encouragement  for  the  pains  they  pretend  to  take 
than  the  voluntary  contributions  of  the  people,  or,  at  best,  a  salary  by 
agreement  and  subscription,  which  yet  they  shall  not  enjoy,  except  they 
take  more  care  to  please  the  humors,  and  delight  the  fancies  of  their 
hearers,  than  to  preach  up  true  religion  and  a  christian  life,  &c."a 

From  what  has  been  said,  it  is  apparent  that  a  perfect  toleration  for 
all  religious  opinions  had  been  guaranteed  from  the  first  settlement  of 
the  province.  But  liberty  was  converted  into  licentiousness,  for  men 
pretending  to  be  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  officiated  without  qualifying 
themselves  according  to  the  Act  of  Toleration,  under  a  notion  that  the 
laws  of  England  relating  to  religion,  did  not  extend  to  the  plantations. 
What  wonder  then,  that  vice  of  every  kind  prevailed  in  spite  of  Gov- 
ernor's proclamations,  military  orders  and  judicial  acts.  It  is  very  ap- 
parent too,  that  up  to  this  period,  but  little  good  had  been  effected  by 
Non-Episcopal  ministrations,  for  Col.  Heathcote,  writing  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  the  Venerable  Society,  in  1705,  says: — "  I  dare  aver  that 
there  is  not  a  much  greater  necessity  of  having  the  Christian  Religion 
in  its  true  light  preached  any  where  than  amongst  them.  Many,  if 
not  the  greatest  number  of  them,  being  a  little  better  than  in  a  state  of 
heathenism  ;  having  never  been  baptised  nor  admitted  to  the  commu- 
nion." 
Such  was  the  state  of  things,  which  grew  up  under  Non-Episcopal 
•  supervison,  for,  until  1693,  there  seems  to  have  been  "  no  face  of  the 
Church  of  England  "  in  the  colony.  In  fact,  before  Col.  Fletcher 
was  Governor  of  the  province,  there  was  no  provision  made  for  the 
maintenance  or  support  of  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  England,  nor 
church  erected  in  any  part  of  the  province  for  the  members  thereof,  to 


*  A  Description  of  the  Province  and  City  of  New- York,  A.  D..  1695,  by  the  Rev. 
John  Miller,  London,  1743. 


xiv  &  INTRODUCTION. 

worship  God  in.a  Soon  after  his  arrival  however,  he  proposed  the 
Settling  of  an  able  ministry  as  one  of  the  best  and  surest  means  of  sup" 
pressing  vice  and  profanity.  The  majority  of  the  Assembly  were  en- 
tirely disinclined  to  the  scheme,  which  occasioned  a  warm  rebuke  from 
the  Governor  in  his  speech  at  the  close  of  the  Session,  in  these  words : — 
"Gentlemen,  the  fir&t  thing  that  I  did  recommend  to  you,  at  our  last 
meeting,  was  to  provide  for  a  ministry,  and  nothing  is  done  in  it. 
There  are  none  of  you,  but  that  are  big  with  the  privileges  of  En- 
glishmen and  Magna  Charta.  which  is  your  right ;  and  the  same 
law  doth  provide  for  the  Religion  of  the  Church  of  England,  against 
Sabbath  breaking  and  other  profanity.  But  as  you  have  made  it  last, 
and  postponed  it  in  this  Session,  I  hope  you  will  begin  it  the  next  meet- 
ing and  do  somewhat  towards  it  effectually."13 

The  determination  of  the  Governor  at  length  induced  the  House 
to  yield  ;  and  a  bill  was  "  brought  in  for  settling  the  ministry,  and 
raising  a  maintenance  for  them."  Col.  Lewis  Morris,  in  a  letter  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  dated  New-York,  20th 
February,  1711,  says  :  "James  Graham,  Esq.,  who  was  then  speaker  of 
the  Assembly,  and  had  the  drawing  of  their  bills,  prescribed  a  method 
of  induction  and  so  managed  it  that  it  would  not  do  well  for  the  Dis- 
senters, and  but  lamely  for  the  Church,  though  it  would  do  with  the 
help  of  the  Governor  and  that  was  all ;  but  it  was  the  most  that 
could  be  got  at  that  time,  for  had  more  been  attempted,  the  Assembly 
had  seen  through  the  artifice,  the  most  of  them  being  Dissenters,  and 
all  had  been  lost."0 


a  New   York,  MSS,  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  42.     (Hawks.) 
b  For  this  commendable  zeal  Col.  Fletcher  has  been  reviled,  by  Smith  and   others 
as  a  bigot  to  the  Episcopal  form  of  Church  Government. 
t  Doc.  His.  N.  Y.  vol.  iii  p.  Q44. 


i 


INTRODUCTION.  xv 

This  bill  was  entitled 

AN  ACT  FOR  SETTLING-    A  MINISTRY   AND  RAISING  A 

MAINTENANCE  FOR  THEM  IN  THE   CITY    OF 

NEW- YORK,  COUNTIES  OF  RICHMOND, 

WESTCHESTER  AND  QUEENS. 

Passed  the  24th  of  March,  1G93. 
"  Preamble. — Whereas,  Profaneness  and  Licentiousness  hath    of  lato  overspread 
this  Province,  for  want  of  a  settled  ministry  throughout  the  same  :  To  the  end  that 
the  same  may  be  removed,  and  the  ordinances  of  God  duly  administered. 

I.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Governor,  and  Council,  and  Representatives,  convened 
in  General  Assembly,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  that  in  each  of  the  re- 
spective Cities  and"  Counties  hereafter  mentioned  and  expressed,  there  shall  be 
called,  inducted,  and  established,  a  good  sufficient  Protestant  Minister,  to  officiate,  and 
have  the  care  of  souls,  within  one  year  next,  and  after  the  publication  hereof,  That 
is  to  say ;  In  the  City  of  New-York,  one  ;  County  of  Richmond,  one ;  in  the  County 
of  Westchester,  two  ;  one  to  have  the  care  of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and 
the  manor  of  Pelham  ;  the  other  to  have  the  care  of  Rye,  Mamaronock,  and  Bed- 
ford. In  Queens  County,  two;  one  to  have  the  care  of  Jamaica,  and  the  adjacent 
Towns  and  Farms;  the  other  to  have  the  care  of  Hempstead,  and  the  next  adja- 
cent Towns  and  Farms. 

II.  And  for  their  respective  encouragement,  Be  it  further  enacted  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid :  That  there  shall  be  annually,  and  once  in  every  year,  in  every  of 
the  respective  Cities  and  Counties  aforesaid,  assessed,  levied,  collected,  and  paid  for  the 
maintenance  of  each  of  their  respective  Ministers,  the  respective  sums  hereafter  men- 
tioned, that  is  to  say  ;  For  the  City  and  County  of  New-York,  One  Hundred  Pounds ; 
for  the  two  precincts  of  Westchester,  One  Hundred  Pounds,  to  each  ;  Fifty  Pounds 
to  be  paid  in  Country  Produce  at  money  price  ;  for  the  County  of  Richmond,  Forty 
Pounds,  in  Country  Froduee,  at  money  price  ;  and  for  tli9  two  precincts  of  Queens 
County,  One  Hundred  and'l'wenty  Pounds,  to  each  Sixty  Pounds,  in  Country  Pro- 
duce, at  money  price. 

III.  And  for  the  more  orderly  raising  the  respective  maintenances  for  the  Ministers 
aforesaid,  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  the  respective  justi- 
ces of  every  City  and  County  aforesaid,  or  any  two  of  them,  shall  every  \  ear  issue 
out  their  warrants  to  the  Constables,  to  summons  the  freeholders  of  every  City, 
County,  and  precinct  aforesaid,  together,  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  Januaiy,  for  the 
chasing  of  Ten  Vestrymen  and  Two  Churchwardens ;  and  the  said  Justices  and 
Vestrymen,  or  .Major  part  of  them,  are  hereby  empowered,  within  ten  days  after  the 
said  day,  or  any  day  after,  as  to  them  shall  seem  convenient,  to  lay  a  reasonble  tax 
on  the  said  respective  Cities,  Counties,  Parish  or  Precincts,  for  the  maintenance  of  tho 
Minister  and  Poor  of  their  respective  places  ;  and  if  they  shall  neglect  to  issue  their 
warrants,  so  as  the  election  be  not  made  that  day,  they  shall  respectively  forfeit  Five 
Pounds,  current  money  of  this  Province ;  and   in   case   the  said   Freeholders  duly 


xvi  INTRODUCTION. 

summoned,  as  aforesaid,  shall  not  appear,  or  appearing,  do  not  clmse  the  said  ten 
Vestrymen  and  two  Churchwardens,  that  then  in  their  default,  the  said  Justices  shall, 
within  ten  days  after  the  said  second  Tuesday,  or  on  any  day  after,  as  to  them  shall 
seem  convenient,  lay  the  said  reasonable  tax  on  the  said  respective  places,  for  the 
respective  maiutainancos  aforesaid  :  and  if  the  Bald  Justices  and  Vestrymen  shall  ne- 
glect their  duty  herein,  they  shall  respectively  forfeit  five  pounds  current  money 
aforesaid. 

IV.  Penalty  for  not  offering  to  lay  the  tax,  five  pounds.  Tax  Roll  to  be  delivered  to 
the  Constable  to  levy  the  taxes.    Penalty  for  refusing  to  pay. 

V.  Ministers  to  bo  paid  quarterly. 

VI.  Always  provided,  and  be  it  further  enacted  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that 
all  and  "every  of  the  respective  Ministers,  that  shall  be  settled  in  the  respective  Ci- 
ties, Counties,  and  Precincts  aforesaid,  shall  be  called  to  officiate  in  their  respective 
Precints  by  the  respective  Vestrymen  and  Churchwardens  aforesaid.  And  always 
provided,  that  all  former  agreements  made  with  Ministers  throughout  this  Province, 
shall  continue  and  remain  in  their  full  force  and  virtue  ;  any  thing  contained  herein 
to  the  contrary  hereof  in  anywise  notwithstanding."* 

Under  this  act  the  ministry  by  Law  established,  became  entitled  to 
the  public  encouragements,  leaving  the  Dissenters  at  liberty  to  main- 
tain a  minister  of  their  own  persuasion,  but  obliging  them  to  pay  the 
established  clergyman.  In  consequence,  all  lands  set  aside  at  -public 
town  meetings,  (which  almost  invariably  consisted  of  persons  holding 
a  great  diversity  of  opinions,  in  matters  of  religion.)  for  the  provision 
of  ministers,  all  orderly  glebes  voted  for  their  habitation  and  mainten- 
ance, and  all  meeting  houses  raised  by  public  tax  and  distress  on  the 
people,  became  vested  in  the  ministry  established  by  law. 

The  Dissenters,  however,  contended  that  the  act  of  1693  was  'to  raise 
a  maintenance  for  a  Dissenting  Minister,  and  wherever  they  possessed 
the  power,  chose  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  of  their  own  persuasion. < 
Yet  these  men  who  were  Dissenters,  chosen  by  Dissenters,  (sworn  into 
office  to  support  the  Church  of  England  as  established  by  law,  and  ac- 
tually received  the  Holy  Communion  at  the  hands  of  her  ministers,) 
would,  when  the  opportunity  offered,  refuse  to  call  a  minister  of  the  Es- 
tablished Church,  as  the  Act  of  Assembly  directed,  and  on  that  pre- 
tence withhold  his  salary. 

Col.  Morris,  in  the  letter  already  alluded  to,  says : — "  I  happened  to 


a  Laws  of  New- York,  from  1691  to  1773,  inclusive,  vol.  i.  p.  19,4th  Assembly, 
First  Sessions,  6th  William  and  Mary,  A.  D.  1693. 


INTRODUCTION.  xvii 

be  in  the  Governor's  chamber,  when  his  Judge  and  a  Dissenting  Minister 
came  in  and  this  matter  (the  late  Act  of  Assembly,)  was  talked  of,  the 
latter  said  (i.  e.  the  Dissenting  Minister)  that  the  intention  of  the  Legis- 
lature at  that  time  was  to  raise  a  maintenance  for  a  Dissenting  Minister, 
all  the  Assembly  but  one  being  Dissenters  and  knowing  nothing  of  the 
Church,  and  that  being  the  intention  of  the  law  makers  was  the  meaning 
of  the  law,  and  he  hoped  the  Dissenters  might  enjoy  what  was  so  justly 
their  due,  or  at  least  not  to  be  deprived  of  it  without  due  course  of  law 
as  they  formerly  had  been.  I  told  him  the  Legislature  did  not  consist 
of  the  Assembly  only,  but  of  the  Governor  and  Council,  joined  with 
them,  whose  intentions  might  be  quite  otherwise,  and  I  believed  it  was 
most  certain  the  Governor  at  that  time  never  intended  to  settle  a  Dis- 
senting Clergy;  that  the  meaning  of  the  Legislature  was  the  meaning  of 
the  whole  Legislature,  and  not  of  any  part,  and  was  most  likely  to  be 
found  out  by  the  words  of  the  act  which  most  plainly  appeared  in  favor 
of  the  Church  of  England.  The  Governor  joined  in  the  argument 
and  argued  with  a  great  deal  of  force  in  favor  of  the  Church. "a  In  the 
spring  of  1695,  the  Assembly  declared  in  explanation  of  the  Act  of 
1693: — That  the  vestrymen  and  churchwardens  have  power  to  call  a 
Dissenting  Protestant  Minister,  and  that  he  is  to  be  paid  and  main- 
tained as  the  Act  directs  ;  but  the  Governor  rejected  this  interpreta- 
tion of  the  Assembly  and  decided  that  the  Act  applied  solely  to  the 
Episcojxd  Ministry  y> 

The  Act,  however,  of  1693,  did  not  take  effect  till  about  the  year 
1702,  nor  was  the  provision  made  thereby,  a  sufficient  maintenance  for 
the  ministers  in  country  towns,  so  that  without  the  help  of  the  Venerable 
Propagation  Society,  a  minister  could  not  have  been  supported. 

In  1702,  the  Venerable  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel 
jommenced  its  labors  here.  Of  that  noble  and  useful  Institution,  the 
)ldest  Missionary  Society  in  the  Protestant  world  ; — since  our  country 
vas  so   largely  indebted  to  its  kind  offices  for  the  ministrations  of  the 


»  Doc.  Hist,  of  New  York,  Vol.  iii,  p.  245. 

b  The  Act  of  1C93,  was  confirmed  on  tho  1  ltd  of  May,  1697,  and  again  on  the  4th 
f  August,  1705.  The  latter  was  again  ratified  by  Queen  Aune,  on  the  11th  of  April, 
70G.  Laws  of  N.  Y.  from  1691  to  1773,  inclusive,  vol.  i.  p.  64.  Ed.  by  Hugh  Game. 
2 


xviii  INTRODUCTION. 

Grospel,  it  maybe  well  to  give  a  short  account.  (!  The  Act  of  Incorpora- 
tion was  procured  by  Dr.  Bray,  and  several  others  who  felt  a  deep  in- 
terest in  the  religious  welfare  of  the  colonies,  through  the  agency  of 
Archbishop  Tenison,  and  Bishop  Compton,  from  William  the  Third,  it 
bears  date  June  16,  1701.  "a 

Upon  enquiry  made  into  the  state  of  tho  colonies,  at  this  time, 
they  received  from  thence  a  more  melancholy  account  than  their  fears 
could  suggest:  several  relations  setting  forth,  that  the  very  Indian 
darkness  was  not  more  gloomy  and  horrid,  than  that  in  which  some  of 
the  English  inhabitants  of  the  colonies  lived.  In  1702,  Mr.  Keith, 
reported  to  the  Society  "  that  in  Long  Island  there  are  not  many  Qua- 
kers ;  it  is  a  great  place,  and  has  many  inhabitants,  English  and  Dutch, 
the  Dutch  are  Calvanists  and  have  some  Calvanistical  Congregations  ; 
the  English,  some  of  them  Independents,  but  many  of  them  no  religion 
but  like  wild  Indians  ;  there  is  no  Church  of  England  in  all  of  Long 
Island,  nor  in  all  that  great  Continent  of  New-York  province,  excepl 
at  New-York  Town." 

No  sooner,  it  seems,  were  tidings  received  here  that  the  Society  foi 
the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  had  been  chartered,  than  the  country 
towns  of  this  Province,  applied  for  assistance  ;  and  we  are  told  that  th 
inhabitants  of  Westchester  in  particular,  were  very  pressing  for  a  minisi.l 
ter :  that  earnest  memorials  were  sent  from  the  inhabitants  of  Ned 
Rochclle.  from  those  of  Jamaica  and  Hempstead,  towns  on  Long  Island 
from  Staten  Island,  and  from  Rye :  that  their  desires  were  compliet 
with,  and  missionaries  sent  those  places. 

In  1704,  Mr.  Bartow,  and  other  missionaries  informed  the  Venerabl 
Society,  "  that  the  Church  of  England  under  the  administration  of  th 
late  Lord  Bellomont,  and  Capt.  Nanfan,  hath  been  grievously  opposei 
and  oppressed  ;  but  since  the  auspicious  arrival  of  the  Eight  Honorabl 
jhe  Lord  Cornbury,  has  been  delivered  from  the  violence  of  her  en( 
mies,  restored  to  her  rights,  greatly  countenanced  and  encouraged,  an 
lives  under  the  just  expectation  of  being  more  firmly  established  an< 
enlarged.  But  many  of  the  Dutch  Dissenters,  and  all  of  the  Quaker! 
though  differing  from  one  another  amongst  themselves,  yet  agree  in  of 


i  ■ 


a  Rev.  M.  H.  Hendersou's  Centennial  Discourse. 


INTRODUCTION.  six 

posing  with  great  zeal  and  malice,  whatever  tends  to  the  honor  and  in 
terests  of  the  Church." 

The  following  extracts  formed  a  part  of  Lord  Cornbury's  instructions 
which  were  dated  December  5th,  1702  : — 

"  60.  You  shall  take  especial  care  that  God  Almighty  be  devontly  and  duly 
served  throughout  your  Government ;  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  as  by  law  es- 
tablished, read  each  Sunday  and  Holyday,  and  the  Blessed  Sacrament  administered 
according  to  the  rites  of  the  Church  of  England.  You  shall  b3  careful  that  the 
churches  already  built  there  be  well  and  orderly  kept,  and  that  more  be  built,  as  the 
Colony  shall  by  God's  blessing  be  improved  ;  and  that,  besides  a  competent  mainte- 
nance to  be  assigned  to  the  minister  of  each  orthodox  church,  a  convenient  house  be 
built  at  the  common  charge  for  each  minister,  and  a  competent  proportion  of  laud  as- 
signed him  for  a  glebe  and  exercise  of  his  industry.  And  you  are  to  take  care  that 
the  Parishes  be  so  limited  and  settled,  as  you  shall  find  most  convenient  for  the  ac- 
complishing this  good  work." 

''61.  You  are  not  to  prefer  any  Minister  to  any  Ecclesiastical  Bene.ice  in  thai 
our  Province,  without  a  certificate  from  the  Right  Reverend  Fitherin  God,  the  Bi- 
shop of  London,  of  his  being  comformable  to  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  of  a  good  life  and  conversation.     And  if  any  person  preferred 

I  already  to  a  Benefice  shall    appear  to  you  to  give  scandal,  either  by  his  doctrine  or 

J,  manners,  you  are  to  use  the  best  means  for  the  removal  of  him,  and  to  supply  the  va- 

i(|  cancy  in  such  manner  as  we  have  directed." 

.  "  62.  You  are  to  give  order  forthwith  (if  the  same  be  not  already  done,)  that 
every  Orthodox  Minister  within  your  Government  bo  one  of  the  Vestry  in  his  respec- 
tive parish,  and  that  no  Vestry  be   held  without  him,  except  in  case  of  sickness,  or 

'J  that,  after  notice  of  a  Vestry  summoned,  he  omit  to  come." 

"  63.  You  are  to  enquire  whether  there  be  any  Minister  within  your  Government, 
who  preaches  aud  administers  the  Sacrament  in  any  Orthodox  Church  or  Chapel 
without  being  in  due  orders,  and  to  give  an  account  thereof  to  the  said  Bishop  of 
London." 

¥  So  well  for  the  most  part,"  says  Mr.  Hawkins,"  do  the  missionaries 
seem  to  have  been  selected,  that  Lord  Cornbury,  Governor  of  New- 
York,  and  a  just  upholder  of  the  Church,  within  his  jurisdiction,  said, 
n  a  letter  dated  November  22nd,  1705: — 'For  those  places  where 
ministers  are  settled,  as  New-York,  Jamaica,  Hempstead,  Westchester, 
md  Rye,  I  must  do  the  gentlemen  who  are  settled  there  the  justice  to 
ay,  that  they  have  behaved  themselves  with  great  zeal,  exemplary 
)iety,  and  unwearied  diligence  in  discharge  of  their  duty,  in  their  several 
>arishes.'  "  In  like  manner,  Col.  Heathcote,  writing  to  the  Secretary 
|)f  the  Society  from  New- York,  on  the  9th  of  November,  1705,  says, — 


xx  INTRODUCTION. 

"  I  must  do  all  tlio  gentlemen  that  justice,  whom  you  have  sent  to  the 
province,  as  to  declare  that  a  better  clergy  were  never  in  any  place, 
there  being  not  one  amongst  them  that  has  the  least  stain  or  blemish 
as  to  his  life  or  conversation."11 

Another  has  well  observed: — "  I  believe  the  Christian  Church  could 
never  boast  of  better  men,  take  them  as  a  body,  than  the  Society's  Mis- 
sionaries to  this  country.  They  chose  their  profession  from  a  pure 
love  to  religion  and  the  cause  of  Christ,  not  from  the  love  of  money  or 
the  praise  of  men.  They  sought  for  no  honor,  but  that  which  cometh 
alone  from  God,  and  an  approving  conscience.  Like  their  beloved 
Masterj  they  were  despised  and  rejected,  and  their  religion  was  every 
where  spoken  against  and  vilified.  As  the  Apostles  were  a  spectacle 
to  men  and  angels,  so  were  these  men,  and  if  they  suffered  not  as  mar- 
tyrs, it  was  because  the  civil  authority  protected  them." 

In  regard  to  our  early  missionaries,  says  another  : — '-The  annals  on 
earth  of  these  devoted  men  are  few  and  obscure,  for  they  were  workers, 
not  talkers  in  their  Lord's  vineyard.  Their  record  is  in  Heaven.  Yet 
even  in  the  little  that  does  remain,  we  read  a  narrative  not  easily  paral- 
leled, in  at  least  two  noble  features  of  the  Church's  Missionary.  First, 
in  their  patient,  unflinching  endurance ;  the  enthusiasm,  not  of  sen- 
timent, but  of  duty  ;  taking  hold  on  their  mission,  as  men  do  on  the 
daily  work  of  life,  heartily  ;  and  this  was  the  more  to  their  honor,  as 
they  had  little  oversight,  save  God  and  their  own  consciences  ;  and 
secondly,  their  unbending  maintenance  of  the  Church's  teachings  in 
her  faith,  ministry,  sacraments  and  catechism.  This,  again,  has  some- 
thing in  it  of  the  heroic  strain,  for  they  were  surrounded  and  pressed  by 
every  temptation  life  could  bring  to  the  concealment  or  modification 
of  unpopular  doctrine.  But  although  feeble,  they  were  fearless  men ; 
their  only  outcry  was  for  a  Bishop  '  to  visit  all  the  churches,'  they 
said,  '  to  ordain  some,  confirm  others,  and  bless  all.'  Their  only  quar- 
rel  was,  that  he  came  not,  '  we  have  cried,'  to  use  their  own  bitter 
words  in  writing  home,  '  till  our  hearts  ache,  and  ye  own  'tis  the  call 


a  Hawkins?  Not.  of  the  Miss,  of  the  Church  of  England,   in  the  North  Amer. 
Col.  London,  1845. 


INTRODUCTION.  xxi 

and  cause  of  God,  and  yet  ye  Lave  not  heard,  or  have  not  answered,  and 
that's  all  one.'  "a 

In  this  call  for  a  Bishop  the  laity  co-operated  with  the  clergy,  for 
Colonel  Morris  writing  to  the  Society,  concerning  the  state  of  the 
Church  in  New  York  and  the  Jerseys,  about  the  end  of  the  year  1707, 
says  : — "  The  want  of  a  Bishop,  and  the  exhorbitant  power  of  the  seve- 
ral Governors  of  the  Plantations  are  great  hindrances  to  the  propa- 
gation of  the  Gospel."b 

Colonel  Heathcote  too,  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary,  from  New  York? 
Sept.  18  th,  1713,  says: — "We  have  a  report  (but  it  wants  confirma- 
tion) of  a  Bishop  being  appointed  for  these  parts,  and  that  we  may  very 
shortly  expect  him.  I  most  beartly  wish  it  might  be  true,  nothing  be- 
ing more  wanted  or  can  be  of  greater  service  to  the  Church." 

The  call,  however,  for  a  Bishop  was  not  unheard  by  the  Society,  but 
by  the  worldly  policy,  as  blind  as  it  was  unchristian,  of  the  State  and 
Statesmen  who  overruled  it,  and  who  left  it,  for  more  than  a  hundred 
years,  unaided  and  unsupported  to  individual  exertion. 

The  enemies  of  the  Church  at  this  time,  to  arrest  her  progress 
and  prevent  a  Bishop's  being  sent,  commenced  a  furious  attack  upon 
her  worship  and  discipline. 

•'  When  the  Episcopal  controversy  commenced,"  says  the  Rev.  A.  B. 
Chapin  D.  B.,  Ci  the  Congregationallsts  of  New  England  called  them- 
selves Presbyterians,  and  insisted  that  the  Presbyterian  form  of  the 
ministry  was  an  original  divine  institution  of  perpetual  and  binding  ob- 
ligation, and  from  which  it  was  schism  to  seperate.  The  first  publica- 
tion in  this  country,  which  called  the  fact  in  question,  so  far  as  we 
know,  was  by  a  layman  of  Boston,  (1723)  for  which  he  was  indicted  as 
a  libel  on  the  government.  Prom  this  time  the  Episcopal  controversy 
was  carried  on  with  great  vigor  for  nearly  twenty  years  (1723  to  1 739) 
by  Dickinson,  Foxcroft,  Graham  and  Wigglesworth  on  the  Presby- 
terian side,  and  by  Johnson  and  Beach  on  the  Episcopal  side;  and 
the  evidence  to  be  derived  from  Scripture,  Antiquity  and  the  Reforma- 
tion was  pretty  thoroughly  scanned.     The  doctrine  of  Apostolical  suc- 


1  The  Jubilee  of  1851  in  New  York,  p.  17-18. 

b2N*ew  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  106.    (Hawks.) 


xxii  INTRODUCTION. 

cession,  as  a  matter  of  fact,  however,  was  not  debated,  as  both  parties 
held  it,  one  deriving  it  through  the  line  of  Bishops,  the  other,  through 
that  of  Presbyters. 

The  effect  of  these  discussions  not  arresting,  as  was  hoped,  the  pro" 
gress  of  the  Church,  but  evidently  accelerating  it,  the  assailants  left 
the  worship  and  discipline,  and  turned  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Church. 
A  ten  years  controversy  (1  /39  to  1749)  followed,  touching  election,  pre- 
destination, universal  redemption,  baptismal  regeneration,  and  other 
kindred  doctrines,  of  which  Dickinson  was  the  principal  champion  of 
the  calvanistic  opinions,  and  to  which  were  opposed  Johnson,  Beach 
and  Wetmore.  This  discussion,  like  the  preceeding.  adding  numbers 
and  strength  to  Episcopacy,  was  abandoned,  and  the  old  ground  of  the 
divine  right  of  Presbyterianism  re-asserted.  During  the  next  twenty  years 
(1749  to  1768)  the  constitution,  worship  and  discipline  of  the  Church, 
were  very  thoroughly  examined  by  Hobart,  Chauncey  and  Wells  on 
the  Presbyterian  side  ;  and  Johnson,  Beach,  Wetmore,  Caner  and 
Leaming  on  the  Episcopal  side.  A  collateral  discussion  was  also  car- 
ried on,  touching  the  right  of  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel 
in  Foreign  Parts  to  send  Episcopal  missionaries  into  places  where  there 
were  Presbyterian  ministers,  by  Hobart  and  Mayhew  against  John 
son  and  Apthorp. 

Every  one  of  these  discussions  increased  the  numbers,  and  strength- 
ened the  hands  of  the  Episcopal  Church  ;  until  there  was  some  pros- 
pect of  obtaining  what  they  had  long  desired,  a  Bishop  to  reside  among 
them. 

Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  when  the  Kevolutionary  war  broke  out, 
and  it  was  strongly  suspected  by  many  of  the  clergy  that  the  eastern 
Provinces  were  not  only  aiming  at  independence,  but  at  the  subversion 
of  the  Church  likewise.  The  indignities  and  cruelties  which  the  poor 
missionaries  suffered  are  thus  detailed  by  Mr.  Inglis,  in  a  letter  to  the 
Secretary,  dated  October  1st,  1776  : — i:  The  clergy  amidst  this  scene  of 
tumult  and  disorder  went  on  steadily  with  their  duty;  in  their  sermons 
confining  themselves  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Grospel  without  touching  on 
politics  ;  using  their  influence  to  allay  our  heats,  and  cherish  a  spirit  of 
loyalty  among  the  people.  This  conduct,  however  harmless,  gave  great 
offence  to  our  flaming  patriots,  who  laid  it  down  as  a  maxim, '  that  those 
who  were  not  for  them  were  against  them.'     The  clergy  were  everywhere 


INTRODUCTION.  xxiii 

threatened  ;  often  reviled  with  the  most  opprobious  language  ;  some- 
times threatened  with  brutal  violence — some  have  been  carried  prison- 
ers by  armed  mobs  into  distant  Provinces,  where  they  were  detained  in 
close  confinement  for  several  weeks,  and  much  insulted,  without  any 
crime  being  ever  alledgcd  against  them  ;  some  have  been  flung  into  jails 
by  committees  for  frivolous  suspicions  of  plots,  of  which  even  their  per- 
secutors afterwards  acquitted  them  ;  some  who  were  obliged  to  fly  their 
own  Provinces  to  save  their  lives,  have  been  taken  prisoners,  sent  back 
and  are  threatened  to  be  tried  for  their  lives  because  they  fled  from 
danger  ;  some  have  been  pulled  out  of  the  reading  desk  because  they 
prayed  for  the  King,  and  that  before  Independency  was  declared ; 
others  have  been  warned  to  appear  at  militia  musters  with  their  arms, 
have  been  fined  for  not  appearing,  and  threatened  with  imprisonment 
for  not  paying  their  fines  ;  others  have  had  their  houses  plundered,  and 
their  desks  broken  open,  under  pretence  of  their  containing  treasonable 
papers.  I  could  fill  a  volume  with  such  instances,  and  you  may  rely  on 
the  facts  I  have  mentioned  as  indubitable,  for  I  can  name  the  persons, 
and  have  these  particulars  attested  in  the  amplest  manner.  Were 
every  instance  of  this  kind  faithfully  collected,  it  is.  probable  that  the 
sufferings  of  the  American  clergy  would  appear  in  many  respects  not 
inferior  to  those  of  the  English  clergy,  in  the  great  Rebellion  of  the  last 
century ;  and  such  a  work  would  be  no  bad  supplement  to  "Walker's 
sufferings  of  the  clergy. "a 


aXew  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham.  vol  ii,  581.     (Hawks.) 


/  C01..C01A- 
N.\OJt'K. 


HISTORY 


PARISH  AID  CHURCH 


WESTCHESTER. 


This  parish  formerly  included  the  four  precincts  of  West- 
chester, Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  and 
was  originally  embraced  in  the  Indian  territory  of  "  Weckquas- 
keck,"  which,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1640,  was  purchased  from 
the  native  Sachems,  by  the  Dutch  West  India  Company. a 

In  the  year  1642,  the  first  settlement  of  Westchester  was  com- 
menced by  a  Mr.  John  Throckmorton, b  and  thirty-five  associates, 
who  came  from  New  England,  with  the  approbation  of  the 
Dutch  authorities.  "  It  was  in  1642  (says  the  historian  of  the 
New  Netherlands)  that  Mr.  Throckmorton,  with  a  number  of 
his  friends,  who  had  already  been  driven  with  Roger  Williams 
from  Massachusetts  by  the  fiery  Hugh  Peters,  procured  permis- 


«  Broadhead's  History  of  the  State  of  New  York,  First  Period,  1G09,  1664,  p. 
296. 

k  John  Throckmorton  emigrated  from  England  to  Nantaskett,  Mass.,  5th  Feb., 
1631,  from  whence  he  removed  to  Salem,  and  afterwards  became  an  associate  of 
Roger  Williams  in  the  settlement  of  Providence.     R.  I. 


2  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

sion  to  settle  thirty-five  families,  some  twelve  miles  east  of  the 
Manhattans,  at  a  place  called  Westchester,  but  which  the  Dutch 
at  this  time  named  Vredcland,  or  Land  of  Peace,  a  meet  ap- 
pellation for  the  spot  selected  as  a  place  of  refuge  by  those  who 
were  bruised  and  broken  down  by  religious  persecution."a  In 
his  petition  to  the  Dutch  authorities  on  the  2nd  of  October, 
1642,  Mr.  Throckmorton  solicits  permission  to  settle  down  with- 
in the  limits  of  the  New  Netherlands,  "There  to  reside  in 
peace,  and  enjoy  the  same  privileges  as  Dutch  subjects,  and  to 
be  favored  with  the  free  exercise  of  religion/'  But  even  here 
the  persecuted  Puritan  was  destined  to  find,  like  the  dove  of 
Noah's  ark,  no  place  on  which  to  rest  the  sole  of  his  foot,  for  it 
seems  that  several  members  of  his  family  fell  in  the  Indian 
massacre,  which  took  place  on  the  6th  of  October,  1643. 

The  next  settlement  in  Vredeland,  was  begun  upon  or  near 
the  site  of  the  present  village  of  Westchester,  in  1654,  by  a 
number  of  Puritans  from  Connecticut,  who  gave  it  the  name  it 
now  bears,  but  the  Dutch  called  it  Oost-dorp,  (East  Town,) 
from  its  position  east  of  the  Manhattans. 

At  this  early  period,  public  worship  appears  to  have  been  reg- 
ularly established  according  to  the  Independent  or  Congrega- 
tional order.  The  Rev.  John  Megapolensis,  in  a  letter  to  the 
Classis  of  Amsterdam,  dated  New  Netherland,  5th  of  August, 
1657,  says: — "On  the  west  side  of  the  East  river,  about  one 
mile  through  Hell-gate,  (as  we  call  it,)  opposite  Flushing,  on  the 
main,  another  English  village  has  been  begun  over  two  years. 
It  was  named  Oost-dorp.  The  inhabitants  of  this  place  are 
also  Puritans,  alias  Independents.  They  also  have  no  preacher. 
They  hold  Sunday  meetings,  reading  from  an  English  book  a 
sermon,  and  making  a  prayer." b 

Of  their  mode  of  worship,  the  Dutch  Commissioners,  who 
visited  Oost-dorp  in  1656,  give  in  the  journal  of  their  expedition, 
the  following  account :  "31  Dec.  After  dinner,  Cornelius  Van 
Ruyven  went  to  the  house  where  they  held  their  Sunday  meet- 
ing, to  see  their  mode  of  worship,  as  they  had,  as  yet,  no  preach- 


»  O'Callaghan's  Hist,  of  the  New  Netherlands,  vol.  i.  258. 
b  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  vol.  iii.  107. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  3 

er.  There  I  found  a  gathering  of  about  fifteen  men,  and  ten 
or  twelve  women.  Mr.  Baly  said  the  prayer,  after  which  one 
Robert  Bassett  read  from  a  printed  book  a  sermon,  composed  by 
an  English  clergyman  in  England.  After  the  reading,  Mr.  Baly 
gave  out  another  prayer  and  sang  a  psalm,  and  they  all  sepa- 
rated."a 

As  "all  ecclesiastical  business,  at  this  time,  was  conducted  by 
the  town,  assembled  in  town  meeting,  and  as  a  meeting  of  the 
town  was  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  which,  after  having 
disposed  of  matters  secular,  could  attend  to  the  business  of  the 
church ;"  therefore  the  early  history  of  religion  is  to  be  found 
principally  in  the  town  records. 

Under  date  of  July  29th,  1674,  twenty  years  after  the  settle- 
ment of  the  town,  appears  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Ezekiel  Fogge  ; 
probably  the  first  independent  minister  that  officiated  here. 

The  following  entries  are  taken  from  the  town  books  : — "  On 
the  11th  of  February,  1680,  there  was  sprinkled  with  water, 
by  Morgan  Jones,  (what  they  call  baptizing)  William  Hunt,  son 
of  John  Hunt,  of  Westchester  ;  witnesses  present,  Joseph  Hunt 
and  Bridget  Waters." 

"  Westchester,  Oct.  7th,  1680. — Morgan  Joanes  married  Isaac 
Dickerman,  of  this  towne,  to  Bethia,  the  daughter  of  Henry 
Gardner. 

Recorded  per  me, 

Francis  French,  Clerk." 


At  a  town  meeting,  held  in  Westchester,  April  2nd,  1684  : — 
It  was  resolved,  "  that  the  Justices  and  Vestrymen  of  Westches- 
er,  Eastchester,  and  Yonckers,  do  accept  of  Mr.  Warham 
Mather,  as  our  minister,  for  one  whole  year,  and  that  he  shall 
have  sixty  pound,  in  country  produce,  at  money  price,  for  his 


»  O'Callaghan's  Hist,  of  N.  Neth.  vol.  ii.  316. 


4  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

salary,  and  that  he  shall  be  paid  every  quarter.     Done  in  be 

half  of  the  Justices  aforesaid.     Signed  by  us." 

John  Q,uimby, 
Joseph  Hunt, 
John  Bayley, 
John  Burkbee.& 


At  a  lawful  town  meeting  held  in  Westchester,  by  the  free- 
holders and  inhabitants,  and  residents  of  said  place,  the  2nd  day 
of  January,  1692,  in  order  to  consult,  conclude,  and  agree,  about 
procuring  an  orthodox  minister  in  said  town  ;  It  is  voted  and 
agreed  upon,  "that  there  shall  be  an  orthcdox  minister  in  the 
town  aforesaid,  as  soon  as  possible  maybe,  and  to  allow  him 
forty  or  fifty  pound  per  annum,  equivalent  to  money,  for  his 
maintenance.  It  is  also  voted  and  agreed  upon,  that  a  man 
shall  go  to  the  Honorable  Colonel  Heathcote,  and  see  if  he  can 
prevail  with  him  for  to  procure  us  a  minister,  in  his  travels  in 
New  England,  otherwise,  that  Captain  William  Barnes  shall  go 
and  procure  us  a  minister."11 

Upon  the  21st  of  Sept.  1693,  the  Act  of  Assembly  for  settling 
a  Ministry,  was  passed.  By  this  Act,  Westchester  County  was 
divided  into  two  parishes,  viz,  Westchester  and  Rye.  The  pa- 
rish of  Westchester  included  the  towns  or  precincts  of  West- 
chester, Eastchester,  ~Yonkers,  and  the  Manor  of  Pelltam,  and 
was  required  to  raise  £50  per  annum  for  the  support  of  the  min- 
ister, and  to  elect  on  the  2nd  Tuesday  in  January,  ten  vestry- 
men and  two  churchwardens.  There  was  also  to  be  called,  in- 
ducted, and  established,  a  good  sufficient  Protestant  minister, 
to  officiate  and  have  the  care  of  souls  within  one  year  next,  and 


»  Westchester  records,  commencing  A.  D.,  1GG5,  p.  42.  On  the  29th  of  May, 
1G97,  John  Yeats  of  the  city  of  N.  Y.,  sold  several  tracts  of  land  in  Westchester, 
to  Warham  Mather,  of  Northampton,  in  the  county  of  Hampshire,  in  his  Maj. 
Prov.  of  Mass.  Bay  in  America,  (Student  in  Divinity,)  now  residing  in  the  town  o* 
Westchester,  &c.  Westchester  Town  Rec.  Lib.  v.  78.  In  1703,  Warham 
Mather,  of  New  Haven,  Student  in  Divinity,  sold  his  lands  in  Westchester  to 
Daniel  Clark,  Lib.  vi.  30. 

b  Town  Rec. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  5 

after  the  publication  hereof.  In  Westchester  two,  one  to  have 
the  care  of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and  the  Manor 
of  Pelham,  &c."a 

But  so  few  persons  were  properly  qualified  at  this  time,  to  ac- 
cept the  call  of  the  vestry,  that  the  act  remained  dormant  in 
Westchester  nearly  two  years.  An  attempt,  however,  was  made 
by  some  of  the  vestry  to  have  Mr.  Warham  Mather  inducted,  as 
appears  by  the  following  extract  from  the  town  records : — 

"  At  a  meeting  held  in  Westchester,  the  seventh  of  May,  1695, 
Present,  Justice  Barnes  and  Justice  Hunt,  Capt.  William  Barnes 
President  of  the  trustees  : — 

"  Whereas,  the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  this  town  of 
Westchester  and  precincts,  att  this  meeting  have  exprest  their 
desires  for  the  settling  of  Mr.  Warham  Mather  amongst  us  as 
our  minister  for  one  whole  year  or  longer ; — its  therefore  voated 
and  agreed  upon,  that  Mr.  Justice  Barnes  and  Mr.  Justice  [Junt 
and  Mr.  Edward  Waters,  churchwarden,  with  as  many  of  the 
vestrymen  as  conveniently  can  be  gott  together,  should  agree 
with  the  said  Mr.  Warham  Mather,  and  settle  him  with  all  ex- 
pedition. 

Entered — Edward  Collier,  Clerk."b 

Colonel  Caleb  Heathcote,  a  member  of  the  Venerable  Propa- 
gation Society,  writing  to  the  secretary  thereof,  in  1704,  alludes 
to  this  agreement  with  Mather.0  "  It  was  unanimously  agreed 
on  through  the  county,  to  make  choice  of  readers,  which  they 
accordingly  did,  and  continued  in  those  methods  some  time 
after  which  the  people  of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  and  a  place 
called  the  Lower  Yonckers,  agreed  with  one  Warren  Mather." 
''After  he  (Mather)  had  been  with  them  for  some  time,  West- 
chester parish  made  choice  of  me  for  one  of  their  churchwardens, 
in  hopes  of  using  my  interest  with  Col.  Fletcher  to  have  Mather 


»  Acts  of  Prov.  Assembly,  N.  Y.  from  1G91  to  1725. 
i>  Westchester  Town  Rec.  Lib.  vi.  56. 

c  Warham  Mather  was  the  son  of  Eleaz?r,  and  grandson  of  Richard  Mather, 
who  was  born  at  Louton,  in  Lancashire,  A.  D.  1596.    See  Mather's  Magnalia. 


6  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

inducted  to  that  living.  I  told  them  it  was  altogether  impossible 
for  me  to  comply  with  their  desire,  it  being  wholly  repugnant  to 
the  laws  of  England  to  compel  the  subject  to  pay  for  the  main- 
tenance of  any  minister  who  was  not  of  the  national  church,  and 
that  it  lay  not  in  any  Governor's  power  to  help  them,  but  since 
they  were  so  zealous  for  having  religion  and  good  order  settled 
amongst  them,  I  would  propose  a  medium  in  that  matter,  which 
was,  that  there  being  at  Boston  a  French  Protestant  minister,  one 
Mr.  Bondet..  a  very  good  man,  who  was  in  orders  by  my  Lord 
of  London,  and  could  preach  both  in  English  and  French,  and 
the  people  of  New  Rochelle  baing  destitute  of  a  minister,  we 
would  call  Mr.  Bondet  to  the  living,  and  the  parish  being  large 
enough  to  maintain  two,  we  would  likewise  continue  Mr.  Mather 
and  support  him  by  subscriptions.  The  vestry  seemed  to  be  ex- 
tremely well  pleased  with  this  proposal,  and  desired  me  to  send 
for  Mr.  Bondet,  which  I  immediately  did,  hoping  by  that  means 
to  bring  them  over  to  the  church,  but  Mather  apprehending 
what  I  aimed  at,  persuaded  the  vestry  to  alter  their  resolutions, 
and  when  he  came  they  refused  to  call  him."  Colonel  Heath- 
cote  now  finding  that  it  was  impossible  to  settle  the  church  at 
Westchester,  so  long  as  Mather  remained,  determined  in  the 
next  place  to  devise  ways  to  get  him  out  of  the  county,  which 
he  was  not  long  in  effecting. a  The  Rev.  John  Miller,  descri- 
bing the  Province  of  New  York,  in  1695,  says: — "There  is  a 
meeting  house  at  Westchester,  and  a  young  man  coming  to  settle 
there,  without  orders.  There  are  200  or  300  English  and  Dis- 
senters ;  few  Dutch."b 

The  old  meeting  house  having  fallen  to  decay,  the  following 
resolution  was  passed  at  a  town  meeting,  held  the  5th  day  of 
May,  1696: — (:  It  is  voated  and  agreed  upon  that  the  meeting 
house  shall  be  repaired  forthwith,  and  that  two  men  shall  be 
chosen  to  see  it  done — Gabriel  Legat,  Josiah  Hunt,  is  chosen  to 
agree  with  a  carpenter  to  repair  the  said  meeting  house,  and  to 
bring  an  account  to  the  town  of  the  cost  and  expence  thereof 


a  Such  was  the  law  at  this  period  that  if  any  unqualified  person  was  presented 
to  a  living,  he  that  presented  him  could  not  afterwards  present  another,  on  the 
ground  that  no  person  that  has  the  presentation  to  a  benefice  can  do  it  twice. 

b  Description  of  the  Prov.  and  City  of  N.  Y.  by  Rev.  John  Miller. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  7 

whereby  a  rate  may  be  made  to  defraye  the  charge  ia  so  do- 
ing.' a 

On  the  3rd  day  of  May,  1697,  at  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders 
and  inhabitants  of  the  town  and  precincts  of  Westchester  : — "  It 
was  voted  and  agreed  upon,  that  there  should  be  a  Town  House 
built,  to  keep  courts  in,  and  for  the  publick  loorship  of  God"h 

Soon  after  this  vote  of  the  town,  in  the  year  1699,  an  act  of 
General  Assembly  was  made  to  enable  the  respective  towns  with- 
in the  whole  province  to  build  and  repair  their  meeting  houses, 
&c.c  Whereupon  the  inhabitants  of  Westchester  laid  aside  the 
prosecution  of  building  the  town  house  above,  according  to  the 
said  town  vote,  and  took  hold  of  the  said  act,  by  virtue  whereof 
a  new  Parish  Church  was  erected  in  1700,  and  a  rate  laid  and 
levied  on  all  the  inhabitants,  without  any  distinction,  towards 
defraying  the  expences. 

The  following  resolutions  were  passed  at  a  meeting  of  the 
trustees,  held  on  the  8th  of  June,  1700  :— 

"  It  is  voted  and  agreed  upon  by  the  trustees  aforesaid,  that  the  rate  shall  be 
made  up  forthwith,  and  delivered  to  the  constable,  who  shall  have  for  collecting 
the  same,  six  pence  per  pound : — 

'■  Whereas  att  a  general  meeting  held  in  the  Borough  town  of  Westchester,  by 
the  freeholders  and  inhabitants  of  said  town  and  precincts,  on  the  3rd  day  of  May, 
1097,  it  was  voted  and  agreed  upon  that  there  should  be  a  town  hall  built  to  keep 
courts  in,  and  for  the  publick  worship  of  God,  &c,  but  it  being  then  neglected, 
the  Mayor  and  Aldermen,  and  Trustees  at  this  meeting,  did  order  with  a  joynt 
consent,  to  build  a  house  for  the  uses  aforesaid,  and  a  prison.  The  dimensions 
of  the  house  is  to  be  twenty-six  feet  square,  1G  feet  joynts,  a  square  roof,  6  win- 
dow cases  5  feet  square,  &c.  The  trustees  agreed  with  Richard  Ward  to  build 
said  house  for  £33,  and  with  Erasmus  Orton  to  build  the  prison  for  £o,  which 
work  is  to  be  done  by  the  31st  of  October,  next."d 

The  subjoined  order  relates  to  the  cartage  of  timber  and 
other  material  for  the  church,  &c,  "  At  a  meeting  held  by  the 
trustees  the  14th  of  September,  1700,  present,  Josiah  Hunt,  Pres- 


*  Westchester  Town  Rec.  Liber,  v.  59. 

b  Westchester  Town  Rec.  Liber,  v.  141.  "  It  had  been  previously  voted  and 
agreed  upon  that  there  should  be  a  prison  built  with  a  town  house  upon  it,  accord- 
ing to  the  dimensions  made  by  Col.  Heathcote,  Lib.  v.  p.  77. 

c  Laws  of  N.  Y.  vol.  I.  chapter  lxxxiii.  37. 

d  Westchester  Town  Rec.  Lib.  v.  141. 


s 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


identj  Edward  Waters,  Joseph  Haviland,  John  Hunt,  Joseph 
Bayley,  John  Ferris,  senr.,  and  Richard  Panton.  'Tis  voted  and 
agreed  upon  that  all  that  shall  cart  timber  and  stuff  for  the 
meeting  house,  shall  have  six  shillings  per  diem ;  and  that 
Joseph  Haviland  and  John  Hunt  shall  agree  with  a  carpenter 
for  the  timber  work  and  the  prison,  as  they  shall  see  cause,  &c 
Done  in  behalf  of  the  Freeholders  and  Commonality  of  the 
to\vn."a 


At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  trustees,  held  on  the  26th  day 
of  October,  A.D.  1700,  "  it  was  resolved  that  Richard  Ward 
shall  build  the  meeting  house  twenty-eight  feet  square,  with  a 
terret  on  the  top,  for  forty  pounds."b 

In  an  address  to  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  the  fol- 
lowing account  is  given  of  the  building  of  this  church  : — "We, 
whose  names  are  subscribed,  do  hereby  certify  that  the  church 
of  Westchester  was  built  by  a  rate  laid,  and  levied  on  the  in- 
habitants of  the  said  town  in  proportion  to  their  estates,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  1700  ;  and  that  Mr.  Morgan,  a  Presbyterian 
minister  of  Eastchester,  did  sometimes  come  to  preach  in  it,  un- 
til such  time  as  Mr.  Bartow  came  and  took  possession  of  it  in 
the  year  1702,  since  which  time  it  has  been  supplied  by  him, 
&c."c 

This  building  stood  on  the  site  of  the  present  church,  upon 


1  Westchester  Town  Rec.  Lib.  v.  145. 
fc  Westchester  Town  Rec.  Lib.  v.  145. 
<=  Hawks'  New  York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulharn,  vol.  i.  463. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  9 

what  was  then  styled  the  Town  Green, a  adjoining  the  old 
County  Court-houseb  and  jail.  It  was  built  of  wood,  quadran- 
gular in  form,0  with  a  pyramidal  roof  and  bell  turret  in  the 
centre  ;  and  was  used  for  the  worship  of  Almighty  God  until 
the  year  1783,  when  it  was  removed,  and  the  present  edifice 
erected.  It  now  stands  near  the  church  yard,  on  the  property 
of  Capt.  Elnathan  Hawkins,  having  been  sold  to  Mrs.  Sarah 
Ferris,  the  grand-mother  of  the  late  Mrs.  Eliza  Hawkins,  by 
order  of  the  vestry,  in  1788. 

The  following  extract  relates  to  the  election  of  churchwardens 
and  vestrymen  for  this  parish,  in  pursuance  of  the  Act  of 
1693. 

At  a  meeting  held  by  the  Parishioners  of  Westchester  Divi- 
sion, in  the  borough  and  town  of  Westchester,  pursuant  to  an 
act  of  General  Assembly,  entitled  an  "act  for  the  settling  a  min- 
istry and  raising  of  a  maintenance  for  them,"  this  second  Tues- 
day of  January,  1701-2  : — 

Present,  Mr.  Justice  Barnes, 
Mr.  Justice  Baxter. 

Churchwardens  chosen  at  said  time, 

Col.  Caleb  Heathcote, 
Aldn.  Josiah  Hunt. 

Vestrymen  chosen, 
Mr.  John  Pell,  senr.,  for  the  Manor  of  Pelham, 
Mr.  Joseph  Drake,  for  Eastchester, 
Mr.  Charles  Vincent,  for  Yonkers. 


x  On  the  5th  of  June,  1696,  the  trustees  granted  unto  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen 
of  the  Borough,  for  the  use  of  the  Corporation,  part  of  the  Grcenin  said  town,  to 
erect  a  market  house  and  settle  the  market.     Lib.  v.  63. 

b  The  following  extract  is  copied  from  the  New  York  Post  Boy,  for  Feb.  13, 
1758: — "  We  hear  from  Westchester  that  on  Saturday  night,  the  4th  instant,  the 
court  house  at  that  place  was  unfortunately  burnt  to  the  ground.  We  have  not 
heard  yet  how  it  happened." 

e  The  Venerable  Bede  informs  us,  that  in  his  time,  the  English  Churches  were 
square.  Speaking  of  the  building  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  at  York,  in  627,  by  King 
Edwin,  he  says : — "  Per  quadrum  coepit  cedificare  basilicam."  Vide  Bedoe  Hist 
Eccles.  Lib.  ii.  chap.  14. 


10  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

[  Mr.  William  Willett, 
Mr.  Thomas  Hunt,  junr.,  of  the  West  Farms, 
Mr.  Joseph  Haviland, 
For  Westchester,  \  Aldm.  John  Bayley, 
j  Mr.  Richard  Ward, 
Mr.  John  Buckbe, 
Edward  Collier. 

Entered  by  order, 

Edward  Collier,  Recorder.1 


I 


In  the  year  1702,  came  from  England,  the 


REV'D.  JOHN  BARTOW,  A.M. 

who  was  the  first  rector  of  this  parish,  elected  by  the  vestry 
under  the  Act  of  1693.  He  was  son  of  Thomas  Bartow,  de- 
scended from  the  Bertaut's  of  Brittany  in  France,b  and  was  born 
at  Crediton,  in  Devonshire,  A.  D.  1673.  At  an  early  age  he 
was  instructed  by  one  Mr.  Gregory,  entered  Christ  College, 
Cambridge,  Jan.  31st,  1689,  where  he  was  admitted  a  sizer 
under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Lovett,  and  graduated  in  1692.c  Enter- 
ing the  ministry,  he  was  inducted  to  the  vicarage  of  Pampsford, 
in  Cambridgeshire,  May  the  28th,  1698,  and  removed  to  America 
by  leave  of  the  Right  Rev.  Simon  Patrick,  the  then  Lord  Bishop 
of  Ely. 

THE  BISHOP  OF  LONDON'S  ADMISSION  OF  MR.  BAR- 
TOW TO  THE  MINISTERIAL  FUNCTION  IN  THE 
PROVINCE  OF  NEW  YORK. 

"  HENR.Y:  by  divine  permission,  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  to  all  whom  these 
presents,  shall  or  may  concern,  health  in  our  Lord  God  everlasting.    Whereas,  by 


*  Westchester  Town  Rec.  Lib.  v.  145. 

b  The  arms  of  the  Bertautes  or  Bertaudes,  en  Bretagne,  Du  Hertray,  Du  Ha- 
mel,  Du  Pointpierre,  de  la  Poissonniere,  were  : — d'or  a  la  bandede  sable,  chargee 
de  trois  besants  d'argent  accompagne  de  six  annelets  de  geules,  suis  en  orle. 

c  Matriculation  books  of  Christ  College,  Cambridge. 


AND  CnURCn  OF  WESTCHESTER.  11 

virtue  of  an  act  of  Parliament,  made  in  ye:  first  year  of  ye  :  Reign  of  our  Sovereign 
Lord  and  Lady,  King  William  and  Queen  Mary,  entitled,  an  act  for  ye :  abrogation 
of  ye  oaths  of  supremity  and  allegiance,  and  appointing  other  oaths,  it  is  provided 
and  enacted,  that  every  person,  at  his,  or  their  respective  admission  to  be  incum- 
bent in  any  ecclesiastical  promotion  or  dignity  in  ye  Church  of  England,  shall 
subscribe  and  declare  before  his  ordinary,  in  manner  and  form  as  in  ye  :  said  act 
as  contained ;  now  know  ye,  that  on  ye :  day  of  ye :  dale  hereof  did  personally 
appear  before  us,  John  Bartow,  Clerk,  to  be  admitted  to  ye  :  Ministerial  Function 
in  ye  :  Province  of  New  York,  in  America,  and  subscribed  as  followeth,  as  by 
ye:  said  act  is  required,  I,  John  Bartow,  Clerk,  do  declare,  that  I  will  conforme 
to  ye :  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  it  is  now  by  law  established.  In 
witness  whereof,  we  have  caused  our  seal  manual  to  be  affixed  to  these  presents. 
Dated,  the  twenty-second  day  of  the  month  of  June,  in  ye:  year  of  our  Lord,  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  two,  and  in  ye  twenty-seaventh  year  of  our  transla- 
tion.1'" 


MR.  BARTOW'S  LICENSE  FROM  THE  BISHOP  OF 
LONDON  TO  OFFICIATE  IN  THE  PROVINCE  OF 
NEW  YORK. 


"  Henricus,  permissione  divina,  Londonensis  episcopus,  dilecto  nobis  in  Christo 
Johanni  Bartow,  clerico,  salutem  et  gratiam,  ad  peragendum  officium  ministe- 
riale  intra  provinciam  de  Novo  Eboraco,  in  America,  in  precibus  communibus 
aliisque  ministeriis  ecclesiasticis  ad  olficium  ministeriale  pertinentibus  juxta 
formam  deseriptam  in  libro  publicarum  precum,  auctoritate  parliamenti  hujus 
inclyti  regni  anglias  ,in  ea  parte  edita,  et  provisa,  et  canones,  et  constitutionis,  in 
ea  parte  legitime  stabilitas,  et  publicatas,  et  non  aliter.  neque  alio  modo ;  tibi  de 
cujus  fidelitate  morum  integritateliterarum  seientiasummadoctrina  etdiligentia 
plurimum  confidemus,  (proestituta  penitus  parte  juramus  totam  de  aguoscendo 
regiam  supremam  majestatam,  juxta  vim  formam  et  effectum  statuti  parliamenti 
dicti  regni  anglioe,  in  ea  parte  editi  et  provisi.  quamde  canonica  obedientia  nobis 
et  successoribus  nostris  in  omnibus  recitis  et  honestis  per  te  prastanda  et  exhi- 
benda  subscriptisque  pertinentibus  illis  articulis  mentionatis  in  tricesimo  sexto 
capitulo  libri  constitutorum,  sive  canonum  ecclesiasticorum,  anno  Domini,  1604, 
regia  auctoritate  editorum  et  promulgatorum  licentiam  facultatum  nostram  con- 
cedimus  et  impertamur  per  precedentes,  ad  nostrum  beneplacitum  dum  tanat 
duraturas,  in  cujus  rei  testimonium  sigillam  nostram,  (quam  in  similibus  ple- 
rumque  utimur,)  prtesentibus  apponi  fecimus  dat  vicesimo  secundo  die  mensis 
Junii,  anno  Domini  millesimo  septengentesimo,  secundo  nostra  translatione  vi- 
cesimo septimo."b 


*  Surrogate's  Office,  N.  Y.  Rec.  of  Wills,  vol.  v.  p.  79. 
b  Surrogate's  office  N.  Y.  Lib.  vi. 


12  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  following  documents  relate  to  his  induction. 

MANDATE  FROM  GOVERNOUR  CORNBURY  TO  IN- 
DUCT MR.  JOHN  BARTOW  INTO  THE  RECTORY 
OF  WESTCHESTER. 

"Edwardus  illustrissim  Vice  comes  Cornbury  Provincial  Novi  Eboraciin  Ame- 
rica Strategus  et  Imperator  et  ejusdem  ;  Vice-Thalassiarcha,  &c. 

Universis  et  Singulis  Rectorib  Vicar :  Capellanis:  Curat:  Clericis  et  Minis- 
tris  quibuscumq  in  et  per  totam  prcedict  provinciam  ubilibet  constitutis  ac  etiam 
Honorab  Caleb  Heathcote  armig  et  Josia  Hunt  Eccsia  Paroch'lis  de  Westchester, 
Eastchester,  Yonkers  et  Man  de  Pellham,  in  dicta  Provincia  in  pro  hoc  tempore 
Adilibus,  Salutem. 

Cum  Dilectum  in  Christo  Johnem  Bartow  clericum  adRectoriam  sive  Ecclam 
Proalem  Prcedict  de  "Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers  et  Man  de  Pellham  in 
America  jam  vacantem  prcesentatu  Rectorem  ejusdem  Rectories  Sive  Eccloe  pro- 
alis  in  et  de  eadem  institus  vobis  conjunctim  et  divisim  comitto  et  fermiter  in- 
jungendo  mando,  quatenus  eundem  Johrum  Bartow  clericum  sive  procurat  suum 
le°itlm  ejus  nomine  et  pro  se  in  realem  actualem  et  corporalem  possessionem 
ipsius  Rectorioe  sive  Ecclce  proalis  de  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers  et  Man 
de  Pellham  proeiict.  Glebarum,  Jureumq  et  pertinentiu  suor  universor  confera- 
tis  inducatis  inducive  faciatis  :  et  defendatis  inductum,  et  quid  in  premissis  fece- 
ritis  me  aut  alium  Judicem  in  hac  parte  competentum  quemcunq  debite  (cum  ad 
id  con°rue  fueritis  requisiti)  certificetis  seu  sic  certified  ille  vestrum  qui  proesens 
hoc  mandatum  fuerit  executus.  Dat  sub  sigillo  progat  diet  Provincioe  decimo 
nono  die  Novembris  ano  salutis  millesimo  septengentessimo  secundo." 

CORNBURY. 

CERTIFICATE  OF  MR.  BARTOW'S  INDUCTION  INTO 
THE  PARISH  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER,  <fcc. 

"Virtute  infra  script!  mandati  Prcesentia  Hugh  Farquhar  &  Thomas  Hunt,  Jo- 
seph Haviland,  Daniel  Clark  &  Edward  Collier  nos  Guielmus  Vesey  Clericus 
&  Josias  Hunt  adelis  Parochial's  De  Westchester  &  Eastchester  &c  induximus 
Reverandu  Johanem  Bartow  Clericu  in  Ecclesiam  Parochialem  De  Eastchester 
&  Westchester,  Yonkers  et  Man  de  Pellham  et  in  realem  actualem  et  corporatem 
possessionem  ipsius  Rectorill  sive  Ecclesice  Parochialis  et  prcedict  Glebara  juriu 
et  pertinentiu  suora  universone  ejusdum  movilus  et  consue  tri  divibus  solity  ano 
Domini  1702  in  cujus  rei  testimoniu  presentibus  subscripsimus  Die  6to  Decembris 
Anno  supra  dicto." 

Gulielmus  Vesey  neo  Eboraci  Rector. 

Josiah  Hunt  Churchwarden. 
Hugh  Farq.uhar. 
Joseph  HavilAnd. 
Thomas  Hunt. 
Danl.  Clark. 
Edward  Collier. 


A^D  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  13 

'  We  whose  names  are  underwritten  doe  certifie  &  declare  That  on  Sunday  the 
Cth  day  of  December  Anno  Dom.  1702,  John  Bartow,  Clerk,  after  his  induction,  did 
in  the  Parish  Church  of  Westchester  Read  morning  and  evening  service  according 
to  the  exact  form  by  act  of  Parliament  prescribed  &  immediately  after  the  reading 
of  ye  aforesaid  service  did  declare  his  unfeigned  assent  and  consent  to  all  and 
every  thing  contained  and  prescribed  in  the  book  of  comon  prayers  as  the  Law  in 
that  case  directs,  before  ye  congregation  on  the  said  day  assembled  :  and  also  did 
read  ye  book  of  ye  39  articles  of  the  Church  of  England  with  the  Ratification,  & 
immediately  after  ye  reading  of  ye  aforesaid  articles  &  Ratification  before  the  Con- 
gregation ;  did  declare  at  the  abovesaid  time  and  place,  his  unfeigned  assent  & 
consent  to  them  and  to  all  things  therein  contained.  In  testymony  whereof  we 
who  where  present  have  hereunto  subscribed  our  names  this  (ith  day  of  Decembr. 
Annoq  Dom  1702:  Joseph  Haviland,  William  Vesey,  H.  Collier,  Thomas  Hunt 
Hugh  Farquhar,  William  Willett,  Josiah  Hunt,  John  Williams."* 

It  appears  that  Mr.  Bartow  was  at  first  appointed  to  the  Parish 
of  Rye  :  for  in  a  letter  to  him  from  the  secretary  of  the  society, 
the  latter  says  : — «  That  the  Society  were  displeased  for  his  set- 
tling at  Westchester,  being  by  my  Lord  of  London  sent  for 
Rye."i> 

"I  did,  in  October  last,"  (observes  Colonel  Heathcote,)  "give  my 
Lord  of  London  my  reasons  for  the  necessity  of  his  being  settled 
at  Westchester,  the  people  in  that  place  having  been  the  first  in 
this  county  who  desired  a  minister  of  the  church,  &c."c  To 
this  Mr.  Bartow  alludes  in  his  first  letter  to  the  society. 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  MR.  WHITFIELD   OR  MR.  SHUTE. 

Westchester,  in  New-  York  Province,  ith  Nov.  1 702. 
Sir  : 

"My  Lord  Cornbury  is  pleased  to  fix  my  abode  at  Westchester, 
at  the  request  of  the  vestry,  and  I  suppose  I  shall  enjoy  the  fifty 
pound  per  annum,  which  is  settled  upon  the  ministry  by  act  of 
assembly,  though  there  has  been  great  endeavours  made  this  ses- 
sion to  annul  that  act,  but  we  are  safe  as  long  as  my  Lord  Corn- 
bury  is  Governor.     There  is  also  fifty  pounds  settled  upon  the 


*  Surrogate's  office,  N.  Y.  Rec.  of  Wills,  vol.  v.  p.  79,  80. 
''  Hawks'  New  York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham. 

•  See  Col.  Heathcote's  letter,  April  10,  1704. 


14  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

ministry  at  Rye,  sixty  pounds  at  Jamaica,  sixty  pounds  at  Hemp- 
stead, and  forty  pounds  per  annum  at  Richmond:  all  which 
places  I  hope  the  Reverend  and  Honorable  Society  will  take 
some  speedy  care  to  supply  with  ministers  of  the  Church  of 
England.  The  hundred  acres  of  glebe  my  Lord  of  London  ob- 
tained of  her  Majesty  for  Westchester,  is  all  a  wilderness,  there 
never  was  any  house  upon  it,  nor  any  part  of  it  cultivated ;  the 
meanest  laborer  here  has  three  shillings  per  diem  wages,  so  that 
it  will  be  a  vast  charge  to  make  it  habitable  ;  what  I  can  bestow 
upon  it  in  my  time  I  will,  but  I  cannot  expect  the  assistance  of 
the  Society,  there  being  such  pressing  occasions  for  ministers. 
As  I  had  not  time  to  furnish  myself  with  books  in  England.  I  hope 
the  society  will  bestow  some  upon  me,  or  I  beg  you  would  be  so 
kind  as  to  send  me  these  following,  and  let  the  booksellers  be 
paid  out  of  my  allowance  ;  and  you  will  ever  oblige,  Worthy 
Sir, 

Your  most  humble  and  devoted  servant," 

John  Bartow. 

"1702.  P.  S.  I  have  been  at  great  expenses,  but  I  do  not 
grudge  it  in  the  service  of  that  God  who  I  trust  will  bless  me 
in  my  endeavours.  We  have  a  small  house  built  here  for  public 
worship,  of  boards,  but  there  is  neither  desk,  pulpit,  nor  bell  in 
it.  The  inhabitants  indeed  live  all  upon  their  own,  but  are 
generally  poor  ;  my  best  friend  is  the  gentleman  my  Lord  of 
London,  recommended  me  unto,  Col.  Graham,  who  is  a  very 
worthy  and  ingenuous  Gentleman,  and  a' great  lover  of  the 
Church.  I  have  neither  Church  Bible  nor  Common  Prayer 
Book,  which  I  hope  the  society  will  send  me,  unto  whom  I  de- 
sire you  would  give  my  humble  duty. 

Mr.  Keith,  Mr.  Ennis,  Mr.  Vesey,  Mr.  Mott,  Mr.  Talbot,  and 
myself,  met  last  week  at  York,  to  contrive  the  most  proper  me- 
thods of  settling  the  church,  at  the  request  of  the  worthy  Col. 
Nicholson,  who  gave  £25  towards  bearing  our  charges,  an  ac- 
count of  which  you  will  have."a 


Hawks'  New  York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fnlham,  vol.  i.  10,  11. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  15 

The  following  letter  from  Mr.  Bartow  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Venerable  Society,  was  probably  written  in  1702,  or  the  year 
after,  although  1  have  given  the  date  as  it  is  in  the  manuscript 
from  which  it  was  copied  : 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Westchester,  New-  York,  1st  Dec,  1707. 
Sir: 
"After  a  voyage  of  eleven  weeks,  we  arrived  at  New-York, 
Sept.  29th,  1702,  where  we  found  a  very  mournful  town,  there 
dying  near  twenty  persons  daily  for  some  months. a  I  lodged 
one  night  in  the  town,  and  next  day  went  to  Col.  Graham's,  in 
Westchester,  and  lodged  also  one  night,  and  the  next  day  some 
of  the  town  of  Westchester  came  for  me,  and  desired  me  to  go 
along  with  them  and  give  them  a  sermon  the  next  Sabbath 
day,b  which  I  readily  consented  to  do,  it  being  in  my  way  to 
Rye,  to  which  I  was  designed.  Col.  Heathcote  and  some  of  the 
chief  inhabitants  being  at  church,  the  latter,  with  his  approba- 
tion, invited  me  to  stay  amongst  them  ;  in  regard,  it  was  the 
County  Town,  and  reasonably  ought  to  be  supplyed  first,  which 
I  referred  to  the  determination  of  my  Lord  Cornbury  ;  my  goods 
being  on  board  still,  (as  I  remember.)  On  Monday  1  returned 
to  York,  and  Mr.  Vesey  engaged  me  to  preach  for  him  on  an 
appointed  fast,  that  week,  after  which  I  returned  to  Westches- 
ter, and  preached  either  there  or  at  York  every  Sunday,  until 
my  Lord  Cornbury  returned  from  Albany,  when,  with  some  of 
Westchester,  who  were  very  desirous  I  should  stay  with  them, 
I  went  to  Jamaica  to  wait  on  his  Lordship,  (who  went  there  by 
reason  of  the  sickness  at  New- York,)  to  deliver  him  my  creden- 
tials and  receive  his  commands,  which  were  to  continue  in 
Westchester,  to  which  place  1  was  soon  after  called  by  the  ves- 


■  This  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  yellow  fever,  although  it  was  not  so  called 
in  1702.    It  was  brought  from  St.  Thomas's,  and  proved  very  fatal  in  New  York. 
b  This  was  on  the  3rd  of  Oct.,  1702. 


16  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

try,  and  received  instruments  of  induction  from  his  Lordship; 
but  the  troubles  that  soon  followed  to  separate  Eastchester  and 
New  Rochelle  from  belonging  to  Westchester  (of  which  I  have 
given  you  an  account)  were  not  inconsiderable." 

"  Westchester  was  not  wholly  free  from  the  mortal  distemper  at 
New- York,  and  such  as  were  sick  I  visited,  and  baptized  one 
man,  (aged  forty  years)  a  few  hours  before  he  died,  who  seemed 
thankful  that  he  had  at  last  such  a  blessed  opportunity  after  so 
long  neglect.  The  first  half  year  being  winter,  I  lodged  at  a 
public  house,  preaching  once  every  Sunday,  and  upon  occasion, 
visiting  the  sick.  After  winter  was  over,  I  lived  at  Col.  Gra- 
ham's, six  miles  from  the  church,  and  all  the  summer  preach't 
twice  every  Sunday,  sometimes  at  Westchester  and  sometimes 
at  Jamaica,  on  Long  Island,  about  two  miles  distant  from  Mr. 
Graham's,  at  my  own  charge,  nor  have  I  had  any  board  given 
me  since  I  came,  and  once  I  met  with  great  disturbance  at 
Jamaica.  Mr.  Hobbart,  their  Presbyterian  minister,  having 
been  for  some  time  at  Boston,  returned  to  Jamaica  the  Saturday 
night  as  I  came  to  it,  and  sent  to  me  at  my  lodgings  (being  then 
in  company  with  our  Chief  Justice,  Mr.  Mumpesson,  and  Mr- 
Carter,  her  Majesty's  comptroller,)  to  know  if  I  intended  to 
preach  on  the  morrow  ;  I  sent  him  answer  I  did  intend  it.  The 
next  morning  the  bell  rung  as  usual,  but  before  the  last  time 
ringing,  Mr.  Hobbart  was  got  into  the  church,  and  had  began 
his  service,  of  which  notice  was  given  me,  whereupon  I  went 
into  the  church,  and  walked  straight  way  to  the  pew,  expecting 
Mr.  Hobbart  would  desist,  being,  he  knew,  I  had  orders  from 
the  Governor  to  officiate  there,  but  he  persisted,  and  I  forbore  to 
make  any  interruption.  In  the  afternoon  I  prevented  him,  be- 
ginning the  service  of  the  Church  of  England  before  he  came; 
who  was  so  surprised,  when  after  he  came  to  the  church  door  and 
saw  me  performing  divine  service,  that  he  suddenly  started 
back,  and  went  aside  to  an  orchard  hard  by,  and  sent  in  some 
to  give  the  word  that  Mr.  Hobbart  would  preach  under  a  tree. 
Then  I  perceived  a  whispering  through  the  church,  and  an 
uneasiness  of  many  people,  some  going  out,  some  seemed 
amazed,  not  yet  determined  to  go  or  stay  ;  in  the  meantime,  some 
that  were  gone  out  returned  again  for  their  seats,  and  then  we 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  17 

had  a  shameful  disturbance,  hawling  and  tugging  of  seats, 
shoving  one  the  other  off,  carrying  them  out  and  returning  again 
for  mere  :  so  that  I  was  fain  to  leave  off  till  the  disturbance  was 
over,  and  a  separation  made,  by  which  time  I  had  lost  about 
half  of  the  congregation,  the  rest  remaining  devout  and  attentive 
the  whole  time  of  service ;  after  which  we  lock't  the  church 
door,  and  committed  the  key  into  the  hands  of  the  sheriff.  We 
were  no  sooner  got  into  an  adjoining  house,  but  some  persons 
came  to  demand  the  key  of  their  meeting  house,  which  being 
denyed,  they  went  and  broke  the  glass  window,  and  put  a  boy 
in  to  open  the  door,  and  so  put  in  their  seats  and  took  away  the 
pew  cushion,  saying  they  would  keep  that,  however,  for  their 
own  minister ;  the  scolding  and  wrangling  that  ensued  are  by 
me  ineffable.  The  next  time  I  saw  my  Lord  Cornbury,  he 
thanked  me,  and  said  he  would  do  the  church  and  me  justice  : 
accordingly,  he  summoned  Mr.  Hobbart  and  the  head  of  the 
faction  before  him,  and  forbade  Mr.  Hobbart  ever  more  to  preach 
in  that  church  ;  for,  in  regard,  it  was  built  by  a  publick  tax. 
it  did  appertain  to  the  established  church,  (which  it  has  quietly 
remained  ever  since,  and  is  now  in  possession  of  our  Rev.  Brother, 
Mr.  Urquhart.)  My  Lord  Cornbury  threatened  them  all  with  the 
penalty  of  the  statute,  for  disturbing  divine  service  ;  but  upon 
their  submission  and  promise  of  future  quietness  and  peace,  he 
pardoned  the  offence.  Not  long  after  this,  my  Lord  requested 
me  to  go  and  preach  at  Eastchester  ;  accordingly,  I  went,  (though 
some  there  had  given  out  threatening  words  should  I  dare  to 
come,)  but  though  I  was  there  very  early,  and  the  people  had 
notice  of  my  coming,  their  Presbyterian  minister,  Mr.  Morgan,, 
had  begun  service  in  the  meeting-house,  to  which  I  went  straight 
way  and  continued  the  whole  time  of  service  without  interrup- 
tion, and  in  the  afternoon  1  was  permitted  to  perform  the  Church 
of  England  service  ;  Mr.  Morgan  being  present,  and  neither  he 
nor  the  people  seemed  to  be  dissatisfied,  and  after  some  time  of 
preaching  there  afterwards,  they  desired  me  to  come  oftener  ; 
and  I  concluded  to  minister  there  once  a  month,  which  now 
I  have  done  for  about  three  years,  and  Mr.  Morgan  is  retired 
into  New  England.  The  winter  drawing  on,  and  finding  it  too 
hard  for  me  to  ride  from  Mr.  Graham's  to  attend  on  my  ministry 

2 


18  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

on  all  occasions,  I  returned  to  Westchester,  and  there  being  no 
very  suitable  place  for  me  to  board  at,  I  hired  a  house  for  half  a 
year,  where  I  lived  alone,  and  had  my  victuals  dressed  at  a 
neighboring  house  ;  and  at  the  end  of  half  a  year,  being  not  per- 
mitted to  renew  my  lease,  I  bought  a  house  of  my  own,  and  five 
acres  of  land,  at  £100,  where  (I  bless  God)  I  have  inhabited 
ever  since  in  the  conscientious  discharge  of  my  duty,  hardly  ever 
missing  to  officiate  on  the  Lord's  Day  in  my  parish,  and  there 
have  discharged  that  duty  either  in  the  Jerseys,  at  Rye,  or  at 
some  other  place,  excepting  thrice  by  reason  of  sickness,  and 
twice  for  coldness  and  foulness  of  the  weather,  wanting  a  con- 
gregation ;  always  preaching  twice  a  day  in  the  summer,  and 
once  in  the  winter.  I  have  been  always  ready  to  visit  the  sick 
when  sent  for,  and  before  frequently,  if  I  knew  of  it,  not  refusing 
in  the  time  of  very  mortal  diseases,  which  we  have  frequently 
had  since  I  came  here,  few  houses  escaping  either  sickness  or 
death,  being  by  night  and  by  day,  frequently  riding  more  than 
ten  miles  a  day,  I  may  say  twenty.  I  have  administered  the 
sacrament  of  Baptism  to  a  great  number  of  people,  young  and 
old,  and  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  publickly,  three  times 
a  year  at  the  three  usual  feasts,  Christ  mass,  Easter,  and  Whit- 
sunday ;  to  partake  of  which,  I  must  confess,  I  have  a  few,  gen- 
erally about  twelve  communicants,  but  have  administered  it  to 
many  on  their  sick  and  dying  beds,  who  never  received  it  be- 
fore. I  take  care  to  catechise  the  children  in  the  church  ;  and 
to  make  amends  for  an  omission  of  that  duty  at  any  time,  I 
allow  a  schoolmaster  twenty  shillings  per  annum  to  encourage 
him  to  instruct  the  children  in  the  church  catechism.  I  can't 
repeat^to  you  the  many  janglings  and  contentions  I  have  had 
with  Quakers  and  Dissenters  ;  nay,  I  may  say  with  Atheists 
and  Deists,  but  beg  you  will  believe  the  whole  course  of  our 
ministry  has  been  very  onerous  and  difficult;  and  if  I  have 
failed  in  any  part  of  my  duty,  (as  it  seems  you  are  informed,) 
let  me  know  it  in  your  next,  that  I  may  amend.  Perhaps  there 
is  more  my  duty  than  I  know  of,  especially  if  a  minister  may 
not  be  allowed  judgment  of  discretion  in  things  that  do  not  re- 
spect canonical  obedience,  but  be  obliged  to  please  singular 
fancies  and  humours  repugnant  to  general  reason  and  usage. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  19 

T  must  also  tell  you  that  our  church  is  wainscotted,  and  in  a 
short  rime  will  be  ceiled  over  head,  and  more  decently  seated, 
and  the  communion  table  enclosed  with  rails  and  bannisters  ; 
and  am  very  sorry  for  that  great  loss  we  have  had  at  sea  of 
church  ornament,  not  knowing  how  it  may  be  repaired  but  by 
the  same  gracious  donors. 

Since  my  last  I  have  received  some  old  arrears,  and  hope  to 
have  my  salary  here  better  paid  :  when  we  are  well  settled,  we 
may  inform  the  remiss  that  they  must  pay  their  dues.  I  have 
obtained  of  the  town  of  Westchester  (on  a  time  when  it  lay  in 
my  way  to  do  them  service  with  the  Governor)  a  grant  of  twenty 
acres  of  glebe,  and  three  acres  of  meadow  within  half  a  mile  of 
the  church  ;  which,  in  time,  will  be  a  convenient  residence  for  a 
minister,  and  also  a  small  share  in  some  undivided  land,  which 
will  be  to  the  quantity  of  about  thirty  acres  more,  but  about 
about  four  miles  distant.  I  shall  only  add  my  humble  thanks 
and  duty  to  the  society,  and  that  I  remain,  &c,  &c. 

John  Bartow.''11 

Colonel  James  Graham,  to  whom  Mr.  Bartow  alludes  in  the 
above  letter,  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  a  near  relation  of 
James  Graham,  Marquis  of  Montrose.b  In  1691  he  was  returned 
as  one  of  the  four  members  of  the  Provincial  Assembly  for  the 
City  and  County  of  New  York,  and  in  1699  was  chosen  speaker 
of  that  body.     He  was  the  author  of  the  law  for  the  maintenance 


■  Hawks'  New  York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  171  to  175. 

b  "  The  ancient  and  powerful  family  of  Graham,"  says  Sir  "Walter  Scott,  in  the 
Lady  of  the  Lake,  "held  extensive  possessions  in  the  counties  of  Dumbarton  and 
Stirling.  Few  families  can  boast  of  more  historical  renown,  having  claim  to 
three  of  the  most  remarkable  characters  in  the  Scottish  annals;  Sir  John  Graeme, 
the  faithful  and  undaunted  partaker  of  the  labours  and  patriotic  warfare  of  Wal- 
lace, fell  in  the  unfortunate  field  of  Falkirk,  in  1298.  The  celebrated  Marquess 
of  Montrose,  in  whom  De  Retz  saw  realized  his  abstract  ideas  of  the  heroes  of 
antiquity,  was  the  second  of  these  worthies;  and  notwithstanding  the  severity  ol 
his  temper,  and  the  vigour  with  which  he  executed  the  oppressive  mandates  of  the 
Punics,  whom  he  served.  I  do  not  hesitate  to  name,  as  the  third,  John  Graham,  of 
Claverhouse,  Viscount  of  Dundee,  whose  heroic  death,  in  the  arms  of  victory,  may 
be  allowed  to  cancel  the  memory  of  his  cruelty  to  the  non-conformists,  during  the 
reigns  of  Charles  II.  and  James  II." 


20  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

of  the  clergy,  and  settlement  of  the  church  in  1693.  He  was 
also  Recorder  of  the  city  of  New-York  from  1693  to  1700,  and 
subsequently  received  the  appointment  of  Attorney  General  of 
the  Province.  He  was  elected  senior  warden  of  this  parish  in 
1703,  and  for  a  time  was  one  of  its  principal  supporters.  His 
residence  stood  on  the  spot  occupied  by  the  farm  house  of  Wil- 
liam H.  Leggett,  Esq.,  of  West  Farms.  He  died  in  1767,  and  left 
several  children.  Augustine  was  Surveyor  General  of  the  Prov- 
ince, and  Isabella  married  the  Hon.  Lewis  Morris,  of  Morrisania.a 
In  the  vestry  book  of  this  parish  occurs  the  following  election 
for  Church  officers,  about  three  months  after  Mr.  Bartow's  arri- 
val:— "  Att  a  meeting  held  in  the  Borrough  town  of  Westchester, 
by  the  parishoners  of  said  parish,  pursuant  to  an  Act  of  General 
Assembly,  entitled  an  act  for  the  settling  a  Ministry  and  raising 
a  maintainance  for  them,  and  Mr.  John  Bartow  being  settled 
minister  of  said  parish,  and  his  maintainance  ought  to  be  taken 
care  for,  do  voluntaryly  make  choice  of  the  Vestry  &  Church 
Wardens  this  12th  day  of  January,  in  the  first  year  of  the  Queens 
Majesties  Raigne  1702-3,  as  followeth  : — 

Present. 

Mr.  Justice  Pell,  Mr.  Justice  John  Hunt, 

Mr.  Justice  Willett,  Mr.  Justice  Graham, 

Mr.  Justice  Josiah  Hunt,  Mr.  Justice  Bayiey. 

CJi  urclavardens. 

Lieutenant  Col.  Graham,  Justice  Josiah  Hunt. 

Vestrymen. 

Thomas  Baxter,  sen.,  Joseph  Haviland, 

Joseph  Drake,  Thomas  Pell, 

John  Archer,  Miles  Oakley, 

John  Buckbee,  Daniel  Clark, 

Thomas  Hunt,  sen.,  of  West  Farms,    Peter  le  Roy. 
Edward  Collier,  clerk.  Erasmus  Allen,  Messenger.1* 

*  Surrogates  Office,  New- York,  Lib.  xxvi  13. 
b  Westchester  vestry  book. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  WESTCHESTER.  21 

At  a  meeting  of  the  vestry,  "  held  this  3rd  day  of  June,  1703, 
by  reason  of  the  County  courte,  this  day  its  agreed  upon  by  ye 
Justices  and  Vestry  that  they  will  meet  at  12  o'clock  on  the  5th 
day  of  this  instant  month,  in  order  to  regulate  matters  concern- 
ing the  parish  and  the  maintenance  of  the  minister."3- 

"  Att  a  meeting  held  by  the  Justices  &  Vestrymen  of  West- 
chester, Eastchester,  Yonkers  &  the  manor  of  Pelham,  being  in 
one  parish  or  division  this  5th  of  June,  1703  : —  A 

Presejit. 

Mr.  Justice  Pell,  Mr.  Justice  Drake, 

Mr.  Justice  Pinkney,  Mr.  Justice  Bayley, 

Mr.  Justice  Hunt. 

Vestry. 

Mr.  Joseph  Drake,  Mr.  Joseph  Haviland, 

Mr.  Miles  Oakley,  Mr.  John  Archer, 

Mr.  Daniel  Clark,  Mr.  John  Buckbee, 

Mr.  Thomas  Hunt,  Jr. 

"It  is  agreed  upon  by  the  said  Justices  &  Vestrymen,  that  there 
shall  be  raised  fifty-five  pounds  for  the  Ministers  maintenance  &, 
poor  of  the  parish.  The  Quotas  for  each  place  is  as  followeth: — 

Westchester,         £27  18  0 


Morris  Anna, 

3     7  0 

Eastchester, 

7  13  0 

Pelham. 

1  13  0 

Rochelle, 

7    3  0 

Yonkers, 

7     6  0 

£55     0  0 

To  be  paid  unto  the  Churchwardens  att  or  before  the  15th  of 
December  next  ensuing. 

Edward  Collier,  Glerk."b 


*  Westchester  vestry  book. 
*>  Ibid. 


22  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  next  letter  from  Mr.  Bartow  to  the  Secretary  bears  date, 

Westchester,  in  the  Province  of  New-  York, 
in  America,  May  25th,  1703. 

Sir  : 

"  My  Lord  Cornbnry  is  very  kind  in  countenancing  the  settle- 
ment of  the  Church  of  England,  and  to  preserve  that  mainte- 
nance which  has  been  provided  by  act  of  Assembly  for  orthodox 
ministers,  altho'  there  have  been  great  endeavours  to  annull  that 
act  since  they  saw  the  church  pouring  in  upon  them,  which  en- 
deavours have  been  chiefly  showed,  in  my  parish  of  Westchester, 
as  follows  :  the  act  of  assembly  doth  unite  Westchester,  East 
Chester,  Yonkers,  and  the  manor  of  Pelham,  into  one  parish,  who 
are  obliged  to  contribute  the  sum  of  £50  per  annum  for  the 
maintenance  of  an  orthodox  minister. 

Now  Eastchester,  having  an  independent  minister,  endeavours 
at  my  coming,  to  make  themselves  a  distinct  parish,  and  used 
many  means  to  prevent  and  disturb  my  settlement  at  Westches- 
ter, but  all  there  attempts  were  frustrated  by  my  Lord  Cornbury  ; 
and  now  they  begin  to  come  into  better  temper,  many  of  them 
having  left  their  minister  arejoyned  with  us:  nay,  the  minister 
himself  talks  of  coming  to  England  for  Episcopal  orders. 

Another  obstruction  has  been  in  the  manor  of  Pelham,  the 
inhabitants  of  which  are  French  Protestants,  who  have  Mr.  Bon- 
dett  for  their  minister  ;  a  gent  in  Episcopal  orders,  (but  not  using 
the  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England)  and  therefore  they  have 
the  greater  plea  to  sue  for  an  exemption  ;  but  the  Quota,  West- 
chester intends  to  lay  annually  upon  them  (viz.  £5)  is  so  incon- 
siderable, and  the  people  many  and  wealthy,  that  my  Lord  Corn- 
bury  would  not  hear  of  any  alteration,  and  my  Lord  has  pre- 
vailed with  Mr.  Bondett  to  cease  from  any  further  endeavours. 

That  land  which  my  Lord  of  London  obtained  of  her  Majestie 
for  the  Church  at  Westchester,  is  now  claimed  by  an  heir;  the 
case  in  short  is  thus  : — 

John  Richardson,  of  the  parish  of  Westchester,  married  his 
daughter  Mary  to  Joseph  Hadley ;  the  said  John  Richardson 
some  time  after,  in  his  sickness  whereof  he  died,  makes  a  will 
and  bequeaths  to  his  said  daughter  Mary,  one  hundred  acres  of 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  23 

land.  The  said  daughter  dyes  also  soon  after  her  father,  but 
left  issue  by  the  said  Joseph  Hadley,  her  husband.  After  her 
death,  she  dying  without  a  will,  Joseph  Hadley,  the  husband  of 
the  deceased,  sells  this  land  to  Thomas  Williams  ;  and  the  said 
Thomas  Williams  dyes  in  the  possession  of  the  said  land  intes- 
tate, and  without  heirs,  and  by  that  means,  the  land,  by  the 
judge  and  the  jury,  was  determined  to  be  escheated  to  the  crown. 
But  now  George  Hadley,  the  son  and  heir  of  the  said  Jos.  Had- 
ley, which  he  begot  of  the  said  Mary,  the  daughter  of  John  Rich- 
ardson, puts  in  his  claim  for  this  land  as  his  mother's  heir,  al- 
ledging  that  his  Father  could  not  dispose  of  his  mother's  inher- 
itance, (altho'  it  was  not  settled  upon  her  by  deed  of  jointure,  nor 
yet  bequeathed  to  her  and  her  heirs,)  and  the  heir  who  was  also 
his  father's  exectr.  &  admtr.,  has  (as  I  am  informed)  received 
part  of  the  said  purchase  money  of  the  said  Williams.  I  hum- 
bly beg  you  would  lay  this  matter  before  the  Society,  that  they 
may  assist  us  with  timely  advice  yt  ye  Church  may  not  loose 
any  of  her  rights.  I  have  been  at  great  charges  since  I  left 
England,  but  doubt  not  God  will  provide  things  necessary  for 
my  subsistence  ;  my  earnest  desire  is  to  answer  the  glorious 
ends  of  my  mission,  and  my  greatest  circumspection  is  to  be- 
have myself  so  as  becometh  one  employed  by  so  many  great  and 
good  men :  that  I  may  never  give  a  reason  to  reflect ;  I  have 
been  upon  duty  ever  since  I  came  out  of  England,  but  as  for 
the  proportion  and  commencement  of  my  salary,  I  thankfully 
submit  it  to  the  pleasure  of  the  Society,  for  whose  health  and 
prosperity  I  shall  ever  pray,  who  am  worthy  sir,a 

Your  most  humble, 

and  obliged  servant, 

John  Bartow." 

The  subjoined  letter  from  Colonel  Heathcote  to  the  Secretary 
will  serve  to  throw  additional  light  upon  the  early  history  of  this 
parish. 


■  Hawks'  New  York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  18,  19,  20.  In 
1704  Mr.  Bartow  received  from  the  Society  £50  per  annum,  and  a  benevolence  of 
£30.    See  first  report  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  issued  in  1701. 


24  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

COLONEL  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Manor  of  Scarsdale,  New- York,  10 th  April,  1704. 

Sir: 
"  Mr.  Bartow  showed  me  the  copy  of  a  letter  (the  original  as  he 
told  me,  being  sent  to  my  Lord  Cornbury)  wherein  you  acquaint 
him  that  the  Society  were  displeased  for  his  settling  at  West- 
chester, being  by  my  Lord  of  London,  sent  for  Rye,  and  that  he 
should  get  a  line  or  two  either  from  my  Lord  Cornbury,  or  at 
least  from  me,  to  satisfy  him  in  that  matter.     I  did  in  October 
last,  give  my  Lord  of  London  my  reasons  for  the  necessity  of 
his  being  settled  at  Westchester,  the  people  in  that  place  having 
been  the  first  in  this  county  who  desired  a  minister  of  the  church  ; 
and  being  disappointed,  might  have  been  of  ill  consequence,  for 
no   sooner  was  Mr.  Bartow  arrived,  but  ye  vestry  immediately 
came  to  me  and  gave  me  no  rest  untill  I  consented  to  use  my 
interest  with  my  Lord  Cornbury  to  have  him  inducted  there,  and 
the  inhabitants  of  Rye,  supposing  Westchester  was  first  to  be 
supply'd,  were  easy  in  that  matter,  there  being  on  one  hand,  no 
fear  of  disobliging  the  people  of  Rye,  and  on  the  other,  great  dan- 
ger of  hurting  the  interest  of  the  church  at  Westchester  ;  I  de- 
sired my  Lord  Cornbury  to  induct  him  there,  and  what  I  did 
therein  being  intended  for  the  best,  I  beg  that  the  society  would 
not  take  amiss.     Sir,  being  fa vor'd  with  this  opportunity,  1  can- 
not omitt  giving  you  the  state  of  this  county  in  relation  to  the 
church,  and  shall  begin  the  history  thereof  from  the  time  I  first 
came  amongst  them,  which  was  about  twelve  years  ago,  when 
I  found  it  the  most  rude  and  heathenish  county  I  ever  saw  in  my 
whole  life,  which  called  themselves  christians,  there  being  not 
so  much  as  the  least  marks  or  footsteps  of  religion  of  any  sort. 
Sundays  being  the  only  time  sett  apart  by  them  for  all  manner 
of  vain  sports  and  lewd  diversions,  and  they  were  grown  to  such 
a  degree  of  rudeness,  that  it  was  intolerable  ;   and  having  then 
the  command  of  the  militia,  I  sent  an  order  to  all  the  captains, 
requiring  them  to  call  their  men  under  arms,  and  to  acquaint 
them  that  in  case  they  would  not,  in  every  town,  agree  amongst 
themselves  to  appoint  readers,  and  pass  the  sabbath  in  the  best 
manner  they  could,  till  such  times  as  they  could  be  better  provi- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  25 

ded  :  that  they  should  every  sunday  call  their  companies  under 
arms,  and  spend  the  day  in  exercise,  whereupon  it  was  unani- 
mously agreed  on  thro'  the  county,  to  make  choice  of  readers, 
which  they  accordingly  did,  and  continued  in  those  methods 
sometime.  After  which  the  people  of  Westchester.  Eastchester, 
and  a  place  called  Lower  Yonkers,  agreed  with  one  Warren 
Mather,  and  the  people  of  Rye,  with  one  Mr.  Woodbridge,  both 
of  New  England,  there  being  at  that  time  scarce  six  in  the  whole 
county  who  so  much  as  inclined  to  ye  church.  After  Mr.  Mather 
had  been  with  them  for  some  time,  Westchester  Parish  made 
choice  of  me  for  one  of  their  churchwardens,  in  hopes  of  using 
my  interest  with  Colonel  Fletcher  to  have  Mather  inducted  to  ye 
living.  I  told  them  it  was  altogether  impossible  for  me  to  com- 
ply with  their  desire,  it  being  wholly  repugnant  to  the  laws  of 
England  to  compell  the  subject  to  pay*  for  the  maintenance 
of  any  minister  who  was  not  of  the  national  church,  and  that 
it  lay  not  in  any  Governor's  power  to  help  them,  but  since 
they  were  so  zealous  for  having  religion  and  good  order 
settled  amongst  them,  I  would  propose  a  medium  in  that  mat- 
ter ;  which  was,  that  their  being  at  Boston  a  French  Protestant 
minister,  one  Mr.  Bondett,  a  very  good  man,  who  was  in  orders 
by  my  Lord  of  London,  and  could  preach  both  in  English  and 
French  ;  and  the  people  of  New  Rochelle  being  destitute  of  a 
minister,  we  would  call  Mr.  Bondett  to  the  living,  and  the  parish 
being  large  enough  to  maintain  two,  we  would  likewise  con- 
tinue Mr.  Mather,  and  support  him  by  subscriptions.  The  ves- 
try seemed  to  be  extremely  well  pleased  with  this  proposal,  and 
desired  me  to  send  for  Mr.  Bondett,  which  I  immediately  did, 
hoping  by  that  means  to  bring  them  over  to  the  church ;  but 
Mather,  apprehending  what  I  aimed  at,  persuaded  the  vestry  to 
alter  their  resolutions,  and  when  he  came,  they  refused  to  call 
him  ;  so  that  projection  failing,  and  finding  that  it  was  impos- 
sible to  make  any  progress  towards  settling  the  church,  so  long 
as  Mather  continued  amongst  us  :  I  made  it  my  business,  in  the 
next  place,  to  devise  ways  to  get  him  out  of  the  county,  which 
I  was  not  long  in  contriving,  which  being  effected,  and  having 
gained  some  few  proselytes  in  every  town,  and  those  who  were 
of  the  best  esteem  amongst  them,  and  being  assisted  by  Mr. 


26  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Vesey  and  Mr.  Bondett,  who  very  often  preached  in  several 
parts  of  the  county,  baptizing  their  children.   By  these  easy  me- 
thods, the  people  were  soon  wrought  into  a  good  opinion  of  the 
church,  and  indeed,  much  beyond  my  expectation  ;  and  the 
truth  is,  nothing  is  so  agreeable  to  my  natural  temper,  nor  do  I 
like  any  way  in  making  converts  so  well,  as  by  soft  and  easy 
means,  in  convincing  men's  minds,  and  satisfying  them  in  all 
their  foolish  notions  against  the  best  of  churches  ;  for  as  those 
are  not  only  most  agreeable  to  religion,  so  they  likewise  do  the 
work  most  effectually;  for  when  anything  of  that  nature  is  car- 
ried on  with  heat,  loose  and  irreligious  men  immediately  own 
the  faith,  and  turn  violent  persecutors  ;  being  overjoyed  of  any 
opportunity  to  gratify  their  natural  temper,  and  by  the  rigour  of 
their  proceedings,  as  well  as  their  vicious  lives,  not  only  bring 
a  scandal  upon  the  church,  but  prevent  its  growth,  for  all  men 
who  have  any  sense  of  virtue  or  honour,  and  might  be  a  means 
of  their  conversion  to  bring  over  many  more,  abhor  to  be  direct- 
ed by  such  guides  ;  and  indeed  to  do  a  work  of  this  nature  effec- 
tually, it  ought  to  managed  with  a  more  than  ordinary  care,  and 
those  on  whom  the  conversion  is  to  be  wrought,  in  their  infancy 
must  be  dealt  with  as  much  tenderness  as  children,  for  before 
they  are  well  fixed  and  rooted,  the  denying  them  a  rattle  or  some 
indifferent  trifle,  very  often  makes  them  start,  but  much  more  so 
when  anything  very  material  and  reasonable  in  itself  is  with- 
held them.     A  mischief  of  this  nature  had  like  to  have  attended 
in  this  county  for  Westchester  parish,  which  contains  about  six- 
teen miles  in  length,  wherein  there  are  three  towns,  in  each  of 
which  there  is  a  small  church  (viz.)  Westchester,  Eastchester, 
and  New  Rochelle,  besides  a  place  called  Lower  Yonkers,  and 
it  being  impossible  that  my  one  minister  could  take  due  care  of 
all  those  places,  and  then  consequently  very  hard  that  any  peo- 
ple should  pay  to  a  minister,  it  was  morally  impossible  for  them 
to  have  any  benefit  from  ;  and  Rye  Parish  being  under  the  like 
misfortune  :   I  brought  the  towns  in  both  parishes,  except  West- 
chester, to  this  result ;  that  they  should  petition  the  Governors 
Council  and  Assembly,  that  instead  of  two  ministers  of  the 
church,  there  should  be  three  appointed  for  the  county,  and  that 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  27 

they  should  live  at  the  most  convenient  places  for  the  seivice  of 
the  whole  county,  dividing  the  bread  of  life  so  equally,  that 
every  town  might  have  their  fair  and  equal  proportion  ;  and 
when,  with  a  great  deal  of  pains,  I  had  brought  this  matter  to 
pass,  and  even  whilst  I  was  hugging  myself  with  a  satisfaction 
of  having  finished  my  task  in  this  county,  to  my  wonderful  sur- 
prise, I  met  with  a  violent  opposition  from  six  or  eight  warm 
men  of  Westchester  ;  this  storm,  by  degrees,  run  to  that  height 
that  we  were  obliged  to  decline  the  matter ;  however,  with  the 
blessing  of  God,  nothing  shall  discourage  me,  for  I  neither  have 
nor  shall  be  wanting-  in  my  best  endeavours  to  preserve  this  peo- 
ple in  a  temper  to  receive  the  church  among  them  ;  and  was  I 
worthy  to  give  my  advice  in  these  matters,  it  should  be  that 
every  minister  who  is  sent  over  by  the  society  should  be  required 
to  send  a  list  of  all  the  inhabitants  of  their  parish,  with  the  towns 
and  places  of  their  abode,  dividing  the  list  of  each  town  and 
place  into  three  distinct  parts  ;  in  the  first,  who  are  the  commu- 
nicants ;  in  the  second,  those  who  come  to  hear  them,  but  do 
not  communicate;  and  in  the  third,  which  are  Quakers  and 
others,  who  are  Dissenters,  and  that  they  should  be  strictly  di 
rected  constantly  to  visit  ye  Quakers  and  those  who  dissent 
from  the  church,  and  use  their  best  endeavours  to  persuade  those 
who  are  reconciled  to  the  church  and  regular  in  their  lives,  and 
do  not  communicate  to  receive  the  sacrament,  and  to  give  the 
society  an  exact  account  every  six  months,  at  least,  what  pro- 
gress they  make  therein  ;  and  further,  they  should  be  ordered 
not  to  fail  preaching  in  every  town  within  their  respective  par- 
ishes, according  to  the  proportion  of  the  inhabitants;  by  this 
means  the  society  will  have  a  true  account  of  the  growth  of  the 
church,  and  what  service  is  done  by  those  they  send  over,  and 
the  bread  of  life  will  be  equally  dealt  among  the  people  ;  and  in 
case  the  ministers  find  that  their  duty  is  too  hard,  that  they 
jointly  solicit  the  government  that  this  county  might  be  divided 
into  three  parishes,  for  one  of  which  there  cannot  be  a  better 
man  than  Mr.  Bondett,  whom  I  mentioned  in  the  former  part  of 
my  letter,  whose  character  I  have  already  very  often  and  fully 
given  to  my  Lord  of  London,  and  will  be  altogether  needless  to 


28  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

insert  here.  We  have  in  this  county  six  small  towns,  viz.  West- 
chester, Eastchester,  New  Rochelle,  Mamaroneck,  Rye  and  Bed- 
ford, besides  a  place  called  Lower  Yonkers,  containing  about 
twenty  families,  and  another  the  Manor  of  Philipsburgh,  about 
forty  families.  Now,  were  those  three  ministers  appointed  for 
the  county,  viz.  one  at  Westchester,  which  is  the  westermost 
part  of  the  county,  another  at  Rye,  which  is  the  eastermost,  and 
another  at  New  Rochelle,  which  is  pretty  near  the  centre  ;  those 
dividing  their  duty  fairly  and  equally,  the  whole  county  might 
be  taken  care  of,  and  the  ministers  not  over-burthened.  Upon 
my  word,  sir,  it  gives  me  a  great  deal  of  concern,  when  I  con- 
sider what  pains  and  charge,  the  society  have  been  and  are  at, 
to  propagate  the  Gospel  in  these  parts  of  the  world,  and  that  a 
gent  (I  mean  Mr.  Bartow,  who  is  a  very  good  man,)  should  be 
sent  over  on  that  errand  to  this  county,  which  consists  of  about 
four  hundred  families,  of  which  not  above  forty  or  fifty  have  any 
benefit  of  him ;  and  should  the  minister  of  Rye  serve  us  in  like 
manner,  not  above  one-third  of  the  county  would  be  better  for 
all  the  cost  and  labor  bestowed  upon  us,  and  notwithstanding 
the  arguments  which  are  used  by  the  men  of  heat,  that  the 
congregation  ought  to  follow  the  minister,  and  not  he  the  people  ; 
it  will  be  time  enough  to  preach  up  that  doctrine  twelve  or  fif- 
teen years  hence,  when  perhaps  the  county  won't  only  be  much 
more  willing,  but  more  able  to  maintain  six  ministers  than  they 
can  three  now,  besides  those  who  live  some  three  or  four,  others 
seven  to  fourteen  miles  from  Westchester  and  Rye,  tho'  once  in 
a  great  while  they  might  come,  I  mean  the  masters  and  mis- 
tresses of  families,  yet  it  will  be  morally  impossible  for  them  to 
move  their  children  so  far,  of  whom  the  greatest  hopes  are,  and 
with  whom  by  catechising  and  other  ways,  the  most  pains  ought 
to  be  taken.  I  had  once  formed  a  projection  for  fixing  schools  in 
this  county  for  the  benefit  of  all  the  youths  therein,  in  order  to 
their  being  trained  up,  not  only  in  learning,  but  in  their  tender 
years  to  ingraft  them  in  the  church,  but  the  storm  which  was 
lately  raised  upon  me  concerning  church  affairs,  made  me  lay 
the  thought  of  it  aside  for  a  while.  However,  if  God  is  pleased 
to  spare  my  life  a  little  longer,  I  will,  with  his  assistance,  set  it 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  29 

on  foot,  and  hope  it  will  be  blessed  with  its  desired  effect.  I  am 
told  it  is  with  a  great  deal  of  difficulty  that  any  gentlemen  are 
prevailed  upon  from  any  of  the  colleges  to  come  over  to  these 
parts,  and  it  is  no  wonder  to  me  that  it  is  so,  for  those  who  are 
ingenious  men  and  regular  in  their  lives,  and  qualified  for  doing 
any  service  here,  cannot  want  preferment  at  home,  that  for  a 
remedy  therein,  if  it  could  be  so  ordered  that  such  of  the  New 
England  ministers  as  should  be  willing  to  conform,  could  be  ore- 
dained  here,  it  would  not  be  by  much  so  great  a  charge,  and  one 
of  them  would  do  as  much  or  more  service  in  bringing  home  the 
people  to  the  church,  as  the  best  divine  which  could  be  sent  from, 
home.  If  I  am  not  misinformed,  the  society  allow  those  gentle- 
men which  come  over  £60  sterling  per  annum,  and  her  Majesty 
is  pleased  to  give  every  one  of  'em  £20  to  buy  necessarys  for 
their  voyage.  Now,  was  there  only  £20  laid  out  in  proper  goods 
for  these  parts,  it  would  make  £50  this  country  money,  and  pay 
for  the  extraordinary  charge  of  insurance  to  prevent  any  risque 
in  permitting  it  that  way,  which,  with  the  allowance  of  the 
parishes  here,  would  amount  to  £100  per  annum,  and  would  be 
a  handsome  benefice,  enough  for  any  who  has  had  their  educa- 
tion in  Boston  College,  by  which  means  these  ministers  might 
be  supported,  with  the  charge  of  one  as  it  is  now  ;  nor  do  I  be- 
lieve there  can  be  a  more  effectual  way  to  do  the  work  than 
by  that  method. 

"Since  writing  the  above,  and  whilst  it  was  waiting  for  a  pas- 
sage, Mr.  Pritchard  is  arrived,  whom  my  Lord  of  London  has 
directed  to  officiate  in  Rye  parish  ;  he  is  a  promising  young  gent 
and  I  question  not  but  will,  with  God's  assistance,  do  great  ser- 
vice to  the  church  :  he  shall  not  want  anything  I  can  do  for  him 
to  make  his  pilgrimage  easy,  nor  any  advice  which  I  can  give 
him  to  answer  the  end  of  his  coming,  and  be  pleased  to  present 
my  most  humble  duty  to  the  society,  and  most  hearty  thanks  for 
their  favours,  and  may  assure  themthat  so  long  as  it  shall  please 
God  to  spare  my  life,  1  won't  cease  my  best  endeavours  for  the 
service  of  the  church,  and  should  with  the  greatest  satisfaction 
imaginable,  receive  any  commands  from  them  on  that  account. 


30  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

I  fear  I  have  been  already  too  troublesome,  so  shall  not  enlarge 
further  at  present,  but  remain  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 

humble  servant, 

Caleb  Heathcote."* 

The  following  extracts  from  the  town  records,  relate  to  the 
twenty  acres  of  land  given  by  Westchester  division  for  a  glebe. 

"  At  a  meeting  held  by  the  Trustees,  and  the  freeholders  and  commonality  of 
the  town  of  Westchester,  the  3rd  of  August,  1703,  &c." 

*  Present, 

Josiah  Hunt,  senr.,  John  Ferris,  junr., 

John  Ferris,,  Miles  Oakley, 

John  Hunt,  Daniel  Turner, 

Thomas  Baxter,  senr.,  Thos.  Haden, 

Joseph  Hunt,  junr.,  John  Oakley, 

Joseph  Haviland,  Robt.  Heustis,  junr. 

"Whereas  motion  being  made  to  the  trustees,  that  it  would  be  very  necessary 
that  some  land  near  the  town  should  be  laid  out  for  parsonage  lands ;  and  be  for  the 
use  and  behoof  of  such  minister  as  from  time  to  time  should  be  settled  amongst  us ; 
it  is  therefore  voted  and  agreed  upon,  by  the  major  part  of  the  trustees  aforesaid, 
that  there  shall  be  laid  out  for  the  use  aforesaid,  sixteen  acres  of  land,  that  is  to 
say,  four  acres  where  Edward  Collier's  old  lott  was,  and  that  twelve  acre  division 
which  was  laid  out  to  Samuel  Palmer  and  exchanged  with  the  town  by  Israel 
Honeywell,  and  that  John  Hunt,  Miles  Oakley,  and  Joseph  Hunt,  junr.,  shall  lay 
it  out.':b 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  trustees,  &c,  held  the  3rd  day  of  November 
1703,  the  minutes  are  as  follows  : — 

"  Whereas  at  a  meeting  of  the  trustees,  held  the  3rd  of  August  last  past,  it  was 
voted,  that  four  acres  of  Edward  Collier's  old  lott  should  be  laid  out  iu  part  of  the 
parsonage  lands  ;  and  the  trustees  at  this  meeting,  having  considered  the  inconve- 
niency  at  distance  from  the  other  part  of  the  land  intended  for  yt  purpose  ;  it  is 
therefore  voted  and  agreed  upon  by  the  major  part  of  the  trustees  aforesaid,  that 
the  eight  acre  division  of  land  in  the  lott  fronting  to  the  sheep  pasture,  formerly 

adjoining  to  that  lott  of  twelve  acres  which  was  Sam  P ,  and  did  belong  to 

Miles  Oakley's  orphants,  and  the  aforesaid  twenty  acres  of  land  shall  be  counted, 
deemed,  and  taken  for  Parsonage  lands  for  ever,  any  vote,  agreement,  or  record  of 
the  trustees  to  the  contrary  in  any  wise  notwithstanding,  &c."c 


■  Hawks'  New  York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  33  to  39. 
b  Town  Rec.  of  Westchester,  Liber,  vi.  17. 
« Ibid.  Liber,  vi.  18. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  31 

At  a  meeting  held  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Freehold  and  Commonality  of  the 
Town  of  Westchester,  the  3rd  of  May,  Annoq  Dom.  1704. 

Present, 
John  Ferris,  senr.,  John  Bayly, 

Thomas  Baxter,  senr.,  John  Oakley, 

Robt.  Huestis,  Junr.,  Thomas  Haden, 

Miles  Oakley. 

"It  is  voted  and  agreed  upon  by  the  trustees  aforesaid,  that  for  a  further  encou- 
ragement given  to  Mr.  John  Bartow,  Rector  of  Westchester,  and  his  successors, 
besides  the  20  acres  of  land  within  the  town,  already  laid  out  for  a  Parsonage 
land  for  ever,  yet,  nevertheless,  for  the  better  establishing  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, and  benefit  of  the  said  Mr.  John  Bartow  and  his  successors,  the  trustees 
aforesaid  do  give  and  grant  three  acres  of  salt  meadow,  be  it  more  or  less,  lying 
situate  in  the  town  aforesaid,  and  is  butted  and  bounded  as  followeth : — that  is  to 
say,  on  the  west  side  of  the  great  creek  between  Robt.  Huestis'  meadow  and  Ed- 
ward Harden's  meadow.  Together  with  a  twenty-five  pound  privilege  ot  com- 
monage on  the  east  side  of  Brunks's  River,  of  all  the  land  which  hereafter  shall 
be  laid  out,  which  said  land  has  been  for  many  years  past  known  by  the  name  of 
the  Long  Reach.    Done  in  the  behalf  of  the  rest  of  the  trustees,  and  signed  by  ui." 

Thomas  Baxter, 
John  Bayly, 
Miles  Oakley.» 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  "  a  summary  account  of 
the  state  of  the  church,  in  the  Province,  as  it  was  laid  before 
the  clergy,  Oct.  5th,  1704,  at  New- York,  &c. 

WESTCHESTER,  MR.  BARTOW,  RECTOR. 

"Here  is  a  church  built,  but  not  finished,  being  neither  glazed 
nor  ceiled.  The  parish  of  Westchester  is  divided  into  four  seve- 
ral districts,  viz.  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and  the 
Manor  of  Pelham. 

There  is  £50  settled  on  the  ministers  by  act  of  Assembly. 

There  is  twenty  acres  of  land  given  by  Westchester  division 
for  a  glebe. 

There  is  one  Independent  Congregation  at  Kastchester,  whose 


»  Westchester  Town  Rec.  Lib.  vi.  p.  44. 


32  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

minister  designs  to  leave  there,  whose  congregation  upon  his 
departure,  are  resolved  to  join  with  the  church."a 

Mr.  Bartow,  writing  to  the  Secretary  upon  the  24th  of  May, 
1704  says  : — "The  affairs  of  the  church  in  this  province  (thank 
God)  are  very  prosperous,  which  are  greatly  owing  to  the  influ- 
ence of  my  Lord  Cornbury.  I  have  received  yours,  together 
with  the  opinion  upon  the  case  of  the  land  escheated  to  the 
Crown,  but  can  give  no  answer  till  I  have  directions  from  the 
Governor.  Mr.  Lockier  is  dead  and  much  lamented.  The  town 
of  Hampstead.  upon  Long  Island,  have  long  expected  a  mission- 
ary from  the  society,  I  hope  they  will  soon  be  answered.  I 
beg  you  would  give  my  most  bounden  duty  and  thanks  to  that 
Revd.  and  Honorable  body,  and  excuse  my  abrupt  subscription 
of  myself,  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  and  obliged  servant, 

John  Bartow."11 

On  the  4th  of  August,  1705,  another  act  of  General  Assembly 
was  passed,  entitled  : — "An  act  for  the  better  explaining  and 
more  effectual  putting  in  execution,  an  act  of  General  Assembly, 
entitled,  an  act  for  settling  a  ministry  and  raising  a  mainte- 
nance for  them,  in  city  of  New- York,  Counties  of  Richmond, 
Westchester  and  Queens'  County."  This  act,  which  was  rati- 
fied by  Queen  Anne,  on  the  11th  of  April,  1706,c  fully  confirmed 
Mr.  Bartow  in  all  the  rights  appertaining  to  his  own  benefice. 

The  following  extract,  from  a  letter  of  Mr.  Bartow  to  the 
Secretary,  shows  what  kind  of  difficulties  the  former  had  to  con 
tend  with,  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties. 


1  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham. 

b  Hawks'  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  29.  On  the  19th  of  April. 
1704,  the  trustees  of  Westchester  voted  Mr.  John  Bartow,  as  a  free  gift  of  the 
town,  "a  certain  piece  of  land  at  the  rear  of  his  house  lot,  from  the  corner  of  his 
lot  next  to  John  Williams,  his  lot  on  the  south-west,  and  straight  upon  a  line  un- 
til it  comes  to  the  west  corner."  Lib.  vi.  Town  Rec.  p.  22. 
\*  Laws  of  N.  Y.  Ed.  by  Hugh  Gaines,  vol.  i.  G4. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  33 

Westchester,  in  New-  York,  in  America, 
Aug.  14,  1706. 
Sir: 
"  My  great  business  is  to  plant  the  church  of  England  amongst 
prejudiced  poor  and  irreligious  people,  who  are  more  apt  to  re- 
ceive than  to  give,  who  think  it  a  hardship  to  pay  their  dues ; 
and  we  dare  not  use  the  law  for  fear  of  bringing  an  odium  on 
the  church,  and  on  all  occasions  expect  to  be  civilly  treated  by 
the  minister.     My  task  is  greater  than  I  can  bear ;   I  will  hold 
out  as  long  as  I  can  wilh  submission  to  the  divine  will,  who 
feedeth  the  fowls  of  the  air  :  trusting  he  will  still  feed  me,  by 
your  means,  when  you  come  to  be  sensible  of  our  wants. 
Worthy  Sir, 

Your  most  devoted  and  obliged  servant, 

John  Bartow."  a 

The  following  items  are  taken  from  the  vestry  minutes  : — "At 
a  meeting  of  the  justices  of  the  vestry,  the  6th  of  March,  1704-5, 
John  Williams,  late  constable  for  the  year  1703,  appeared  with 
a  receipt  from  Mr.  John  Bartow,  bearing  date  the  5th  of  March, 
1704,  for  the  sum  of  £26.10,  which  is  the  full  quota  for  the 
minister's  rate  in  Westchester." 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  justices,  churchwardens,  and  vestry  of 
the  parish  of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and  the  Manor 
of  Pelham,  this  12th  of  December,  1706,  in  obedience  to  his 
Excellency  the  Governor's  order,  &c  : — 

It  is  voted  and  agreed  upon  by  the  justices  and  vestry  afore- 
said, that  the  parish  church  in  Westchester  shall  be  finished, 
that  is  to  say,  to  seal  the  sides  up  to  the  wall  plates,  and  lay  a 
b^ard  floor,  and  make  two  new  door  cases,  with  doors  and  win- 
dow shuts  for  the  windows  in  said  church,  the  upper  windows 
excepted  :   and  whereas,  Jeremiah  Fowler  and  Isaac  Underhill, 


■  Hawks'  New- York,  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulharn,  vol.  i.  126. 

3 


34  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

presenting  themselves  to  do  said  work  ;  the  justices  and  vestry- 
have  agreed  with  them  to  do  said  worke  for  £17,  in  good  cur- 
rent money  of  New- York,  provided,  that  as  soon  as  they  have 
laid  the  under  floor  and  made  the  doors,  and  door  cases  and 
window  shuts,  they  shall  be  paid  to  the  value  of  said  work,  and 
the  remainder  of  said  £17,  at  the  finishing  thereof:  the  jus- 
tices and  vestry  to  find  boards,  and  nails  and  hinges. 

Edward  Collier,  Clerk." 

"At  a  subsequent  meeting  held  by  ye  justices,  churchwardens 
and  vestry,  &c.  this  23rd  day  of  December,  1707,  they  found  it 
necessary  to  raise  ye  sumes,  which  followeth,  viz. : — 

To  ye  minister's  rate  and  collecting,         .        .  £52  10    0 

To  ye  poor,  &c 29     8    0 

To  boards  for  Eastchester  church,    . 

To  ye  clerk  of  ye  vestry,      .... 

To  ye  bell  ringer, 

To  ye  collecting  of,  .        .    ,     . 

To  ye  belfry  roof  of  Westchester  church, 
To  ye  sacrament  and  collection, a 

At  this  period  of  Mr.  Bartow's  labors,  the  Society  appear  to 
have  withdrawn  their  annual  salary  of  £50;  whereupon,  we  find 
the  clergy  of  the  Province  addressing  the  Secretary  in  his  be- 
half:— 

DIVERS   MINISTERS   OF  NEW-YORK  TO  THE   SEC- 
RETARY. 

Sir: 
"We  are  informed  that  the  Honorable  Society  have  withdrawn 
their   allowance  from  our  Reverend  brother,  Mr.  Bartow,   at 
which  we  are  heartily  concerned,  and  think  ourselves  obliged 


Westchester  Vestry  Book. 


5 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

11 

0 

0 

0 

9 

0 

3 

8 

0 

AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  35 

to  recommend  him  to  your  favor,  as  a  person  truly  deserving  the 
continuance  of  your  bounty.  He  has,  in  short,  behaved  himself 
soberly  and  prudently  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  his  people,  dili- 
gent for  the  good  of  his  church,  and  pious  and  exemplary  in  his 
life  and  conversation  :  we  hope  his  piety  and  goodness  will 
merit  your  allowance,  especially  when  you  have  considered  the 
necessity  ;  it  being  impossible  to  subsist  in  the  discharge*[of  his 
office,  without  an  established  salary  from  the  Corporation.  We 
shall  not  offer  any  further  trouble  at  present,  only  pray,  you  look 
upon  our  worthy  brother  to  be  a  sincere  good  man,  and  therein 
you  shall  oblige, 

Sir,  yours,  &c, 

Evan  Evans,  William  Yesey, 

Wm.  Urquhart,  Elias  Neau, 

John  Thomas,  George  Muirson." 
New- York,  17  April,  1707. 

The  next  annual  report  of  Mr.  Bartow  to  the  Society,  shows 
that  he  was  still  laboring  with  great  diligence  and  success. 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

From  Westchester,  in  New-  York,  in 
America,  10  th  June,  1709. 

Sir: 
"  I  have  Fpaid  my  visits  in  the  Jerseys,  and  preached  there 
three  Sundays :  1st.  at  Topenamus  :  2nd.  at  Shrewsbury  :  3rd. 
at  Amboy :  and  Mr.  Sharp  preached  for  me  once  at  Westches- 
ter. Mr.  Evans  was  at  York  one  Sunday,  in  my  absence,  and 
designed  to  go  up  and  preach  for  me,  at  Westchester,  but  the 
arrival  of  the  Kinsale  from  cruising,  obliged  him  to  preach  on 
board,  so  that  my  parish  was  two  Sundays  without  any  eccle- 
siastical ministration,  which  they  never  were,  so  near  together, 
since  I  came.  In  my  way  home,  I  had  the  honour  to  be  in  the 
company  of  Col.  Nicholson,  and  to  receive  of  him  a  letter  from 


36  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

his  Grace  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  :  and  the  same  had  all 
the  other  missionaries,  of  which  I  shall  always  retain  a  grateful 
sense,  as  well  for  the  subject  matter  therein  contained  as  for  his 
Grace's  great  condescention  in  casting  so  favourable  an  eye  upon 
us.  I  have  likewise  to  tell  you  that 'I  have  this  day  received 
yours,  dated  1st  Feby.,  1708-9,  with  some  enclosed  rules  of  the 
Society,  for  which  I  return  you  thanks. 

I  find  there  might  be  a  great  many  congregations  made  in  the 
Jerseys,  if  there  were  Episcopal  ministers,  but  find  no  inclination 
to  contribute  towards  their  maintenance :  however,  1  hope  you 
will  not  leave  them  destitute  of  your  assistance.  I  know  when 
those  who  are  of  the  church  can  be  most  prevalent  in  their  as- 
semblies, (or  if  I  may  so  say,  Parliament,)  they  will  make  some 
legal  provision  for  ministers  ;  but  at  present  the  number  of  the 
Quakers,  Anabaptists,  Libertines,  &c.  is  so  great  that  it  cannot 
be  obtained:  but  good  missionaries  will  increase  the  number  of 
the  one  and  lessen  the  other. 

Friday  next  we  have  an  appointed  fast,  to  supplicate  God's 
blessing  on  the  expedition  to  Canada,  which,  with  preparation 
for  Sunday  following,  when  I  am  to  administer  the  sacrament, 
will  not  suffer  me  to  add,  but  that  I  shall  always  pray  for  the 
success  and  prosperity  of  the  Society,  and  remain, 

Sir,  your  most  devoted  and  obliged  servant, 

John  Bartow."3- 

"  At  the  end  of  two  years"  Mr.  Bartow  speaks  with  thankful- 
ness, of  having,  "  by  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God,  been  instru- 
mental in  making  many  proselytes  to  our  holy  religion,  who  are 
very  constant  and  devout  in  and  at  their  attendance  on  divine 
service ;  and,  those  who  were  enemies  at  my  first  coming,  are 
now  zealous  professors  of  the  ordinances  of  our  church.  The 
inhabitants  of  our  parish  live  scattered  and  dispersed  up  and 
down  in  the  woods,  so  that  many  cannot  repair  constantly  to  the 
church,  by  reason  of  their  great  distance  from  it."  Mr.  Bartow 
appears,  by  his  letters,  to  have  been  in  the  habit  of  making  col- 


*  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulliam,  vol.  i.  193  to  195. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  37 

lections  in  his  church  for  any  very  urgent  cases  of  distress. 
Thus,  we  have  the  following  notices : — "Sept.  5th,  1708,  cam  ea 
distressed  woman,  widow  of  Maynard,  through  Westchester, 
•who  had  nine  children  murdered  by  the  Indians.  Collected 
for  her  in  the  church,  eleven  shillings  and  six  pence.  The  fol- 
lowing Sunday  he  made  a  similar  collection  for  a  poor  man." 

Upon  the  30th  of  October,  1709,  he  thus  writes :— "  we  want 
very  much  a  fixed  school  at  Westchester  :  if  Mr.  Daniel  Clark, 
my  neighbour,  now  in  England,  should  wait  upon  you,  desirous 
of  that  employment ;  I  recommend  him  as  a  person  worthy  of  it, 
being  of  good  report,  a  constant  communicant,  and  being  a  cler- 
gyman's son,  has  had  a  pious  and  learned  education.  I  pray 
you  would  accept  my  most  bounden  thanks  for  your  constant 
favors  to  me  and  your  other  missionaries  ;  we  know  you  expect 
no  returns  but  our  constant  labours  in  the  church,  which  that  God 
would  give  us  ability  to  perform,  and  you  to  support,  shall  be 
ever  the  prayer  of 

Sir,  yours  &c, 

John  Bartow."4 

c 

"  At  a  meeting  of  ye  churchwardens,  vestrymen,  freeholders, 
and  parishioners  of  the  borough  of  Westchester,  held  the  10th 
day  of  January,  A.  D.  1709  : — present, 

Justices, 

Joseph  Hunt,  Major  William  Willett, 

Thomas  Pinckney,  John  Hunt. 

Churchwardens 

Were  chosen  and  appointed. 

Joseph  Hunt,  junr.,  and  Jeremiah  Fowler. 


'Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol  i.  207. 


38  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Vestrymen. 

For  the  borough  of  Westchester.  For  Eastchester. 
Miles  Oakley,  Isaac  Taylor, 

Thomas  Baxter,  senr.,  John  Lancaster. 

Thomas  Hunt,  Nathaniel  Tompkins, 

For  Yonckers  Precinct.  For  the  manor  of  Pelham. 

John  Archer,  Thomas  Pell, 

Noah  Bartow. 

For  New  Rochelle. 

Anthony  Lispenard. 

Collected  for  the  minister,  £50  :  for  the  clerk  of  vestry,  £5 : 
for  collecting,  £2  13.  The  quotas  for  the  different  precincts 
were : — 


Westchester, 

£25  0  0 

New  Rochelle, 

£8  15  0 

Eastchester, 

9  0  0 

Pelham, 

3    0  0 

Yonckers, 

8     00 

Morrisania,a 

3    0  0 

Mr.  Bartow  writing  to  the  Secretary  on  the  5th  of  July,  1710r 
says : — 

Sir:— 

"  Our  church  at  Westchester  increases ;  that  at  Eastchester  con- 
tinues constant ;  we  have  sometimes  Negroes  and  Indians  come 
to  our  assembly,  and  behave  themselves  orderly;  but  the  slight 
and  contempt  of  baptism  by  Quakers  and  many  others,  I  am 
persuaded  keeps  them  from  it :  for  when  they  see  so  many  that 
call  themselves  christians,  allowed  in  the  disuse  of  it,  and  the 


*  Westchester  vestry  book.  "Att  a  meeting  held  by  ye  Justices,  vestrymen, 
and  churchwardens  on  ye  18th  of  Jany.,  1708-9 :  it  was  ordered,  yt  the  two 
churchwardens  for  this  ensueing  year,  shall  goe  to  Mr.  Morris  to  know  if  yt  he 
will  pay  his  arrearidges,  or  other  wayes  to  knowe  if  yt  he  will  joyne  issue  with  ye 
parrish  to  try  ye  title  whether  his  mannor  be  in  ye  parrish  or  not,  and  make  re- 
turn att  ye  next  meeting." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  39 

immorality  of  many  that  are  baptized,  they  contentedly  remaine 
unbaptized.  I  have  baptized  in  the  year  1709,  42,  14  of  which 
were  grown  persons.  I  have  received  a  parcel  of  books  writ  by 
the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Beveridge,  on  public  prayer,  and  the  commu- 
nion, &c,  and  though  there  is  no  advice  from  whom,  I  suppose 
they  come  from  that  fountain  of  piety  and  charity,  the  renown- 
ed Society,  for  whose  gracious  assistance  in  the  works  of  Christ's 
ministry  P  remain  their  debtor,  andean  only  desire  that  God 
would  abundantly  reward  their  pious  labours  in  his  church, 
who  am, 

Sir,  yours  &c., 

John  Bartow."1 
Westchester,  New-  York,  5th  July,  1710." 

Mr.  Elias  Neau,  a  vestryman  of  Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.,  wri- 
ting the  same  day  to  the  Secretary,  bears  the  following  testimony 
to  Mr.  Bartow's  services  : — "  Most  honored  sir — Mr.  Bartow  has 
done  a  great  deal  of  good  here  these  six  years,  for  he  preaches 
about  in  places  where  there  are  no  ministers,  &c."b 

The  following  is  Mr.  Bartow's  second  report  for  this  year  : — 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Westchester,  30th  Nov.,  1710. 
Sir: 

"  The  Reverend  Mr.  Bondett's  conformity  has  been  of  good  ef- 
fect ;  a  new  church  is  built  in  New  Rochelle  for  the  service  of 
the  Church  of  England,  by  voluntary  contributions :  there  is 
some  of  that  place  do  yet  dissent,  but  the  major  and  better  part 
do  conform  and  are  zealous. 

I  want  very  much  some  Common  Prayer  books,  and  church 
catechisms  :  if  the  society  will  be  pleased  to  bestow  any  upon  us  ; 
I  pray  they  may  be  directed  to  me. 

I  have  lately  baptized  a  free  Negro  man  and  three  children, 
and  a  Negro  woman  servant,  but  'tis  very  rare  that  these  people 


*  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  218,  219. 
b  Ibid.  vol.  i.  216,  217. 


40  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

can  be  brought  to  have  any  true  sense  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion. 

We  have  many  elderly  people  that  will  not  be  brought  to 
have  any  concern  about  the  necessity  of  public  worship,  and  yet 
not  withholding  their  children  from  coming  to  church :  we  hope 
they  will  not  follow  the  example  of  their  parents,  many  of  which 
have  been  baptized,  and  in  sobriety  and  piety  do  promise  zeal 
and  constancy  in  the  church  established.     ".* 

I  can  say  no  more  at  present,  but  that  I  pray  for  the  success 
and  prosperity  of  the  Society,  and  remain, 

Worthy  Sir,  Yours,  &c. 

Jno.  Bartow."* 

In  answer  to  this  letter,  the  Honorable  Society  sent  the  next 
year,  "  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bartow,  fifty  common  prayer  books,  and 
£5  worth  more  of  small  tracts,  tending  to  promote  piety  and 
virtue  amongst  his  people."  b 

Five  months  later,  he  thus  communicates  the  state  of  his 
parish  : — 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Westchester,  31st  April,  1711. 

Worthy  Sir: 
"I  hope  you  have  had  by  this  time  an  account  of  the  state  of 
the  church  at  Jamaica,  and  the  troubles  Mr.  Poycr  has  met 
with-all  since  his  coming  to  that  place,  from  more  certain  infor- 
mation than  I  can  give  you.  The  vestry  are  dissenters  from 
the  church,  and  refuse  still  to  call  him,  as  the  act  of  Assembly 
directs,  and  on  that  pretence  still  withhold  his  salary,  upon 


1  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  229. 
b  Printed  abstracts,  of  Ven.  Soc. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  41 

which  1  only  presume  to  observe,  that  as  long  as  the  inhabitants 
of  the  parishes  here,  have  the  power  of  choosing  the  vestry,  the 
major  part  of  which  are  Dissente  rs(by  which  the  vestrymen  are 
constituted  Patrons  to  elect,  call  and  present  a  minister)  the 
settlement  of  our  churches  here  is  very  precarious,  and  on 
every  vacancy  may  occasion  a  disturbance  ;  for  should  a  dissent- 
ing minister  appear,  whom  the  people  approved,  as  it  has  happen- 
ed now  in  the  case  of  Jamaica,  I  question  whether  any  of  our  par- 
ishes, excepting  York,  would  not  call  him  and  reject  the  clergy- 
man. We  cannot  hope  here  for  a  better  regulation  of  the  act 
by  our  Assemblys,  who  are  also  generally  Dissenters  ;  but  hope 
that  you  will  think  of  some  methods  to  establish  the  Church  of 
England  in  this  Province. 

I  thank  God  my  own  parish  are  very  well  affected  to  our 
church  at  present,  but  we  know  not  how  soon  the  old  leaven 
may  work  again  ;  prejudice  and  education  are  mighty  tyrants 
upon  mens  manners  :  we  have  very  few  but  what  have  been 
educated  Dissenters,  and  have  imbibed  prejudices  therein,  and 
we  cannot  be  secure  when  they  will  be  thoroughly  worn  out  ] 
therefore,  should  be  extremely  glad  if  my  Lord  Bishop  of  Lon- 
don, or  the  Society,  were  the  patrons  of  our  churches. 

I  have  baptized,  in  the  year  1710, 36  persons.  Our  church  is 
pretty  well  finished,  with  seats  and  rails,  and  bannisters  about 
the  altar.  Our  congregation  rather  increases  both  in  hearers 
and  communicants,  but  our  vestry  are  the  major  part  Dissenters  ; 
they  will  part  with  no  money  but  barely  what  the  Assembly  has 
allowed  for  the  maintenance  of  the  minister  and  poor,  so  that 
we  are  unprovided  of  a  clerk,  none  being  willing  to  attend  con- 
stantly without  rare  allowances  ;  formerly  the  vestry  would  al- 
low something,  but  now  they  wholly  refuse  it,  being  encouraged 
by  the  success  of  Jamaica.  It  would  add  to  the  regularity  and 
decency  of  our  worship,  if  the  Society  would  allow  £40  or  £50 
per  annum,  to  a  church  clerk,  and  leave  it  at  the  discretion  of  a 
minister  to  choose  him,  and  to  have  a  power  to  turn  one  out  and 
choose  r.nother,  as  he  saw  cause ;  and  the  society  order  the  salary 


42  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

to  be  paid  him  by  the  minister,  that  no  opposition  may  be  made 
when  a  better  may  be  gotten3-. 

Sir,  yours,  &c. 

John  Bartow." 

The  Venerable  Society's  abstracts  for  1713,  say  : — "  Mr.  Char- 
les Glover  is  appointed  schoolmaster  at  Westchester,  with  a 
salary  of  £18  per  annum,  as  he  is  recommended  under  the 
character  of  a  person  sober  and  diligent,  well  affected  to  the 
Church  of  England,  and  competently  skilled  in  reading,  writing, 
arithmetic,  psalmody  and  the  Latin  tongue,  provided  he  comply 
with  the  society's  rules,  in  sending  certificates  of  the  number  of 
his  scholars."15 

The  next  year,  Mr.  Bartow  writes  as  follows  : — 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Westchester,  April  14,  1714. 

Sir: 

"  I  have  sent  you  enclosed,  an  account  of  the  building  of  our 
churches,  and  how  they  have  been  supplied,  signed  by  those 
who  were  yesterday  at  our  vestry  meeting,  and  have  not  leisure 
to  get  more  hands  :  the  ship  (as  we  hear)  being  ready  to  sail. 

I  have  had  some  old  arrears,  £9  6  9,  due  to  me,  which  I 
have  been  often  trying  to  get,  but  could  not,  until  our  present 
governour,  upon  my  complaint,  was  pleased  to  send  a  threatening 
letter  to  our  vestry,  which  made  those  readily  comply  to  annex 
it  to  the  church  rate  for  this  year,  which  said  sum  I  have  given 
to  the  church  at  Eastchester  and  Westchester,  towards  making 
and  rectifying  of  pews  and  seats. 

The  present  of  books  the  society  has  sent,  was  very  gratefully 
received  by  me  and  by  those  to  whom  they  are  given. 

The  common  prayer  books  are  the  most  acceptable  to  those 


*  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  249, 250, 251. 
1  Printed  abstracts  of  Yen.  Soc. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  WESTCHESTER.  43 

who  love  the  church,  and  I  could  not  avoid  giving  offence,  hav- 
ing not  enough  for  all. 

The  measles  have  been  epidemical  throughout  the  whole 
county  this  winter,  and  having  not  had  them  myself,  nor  one 
in  my  family,  and  the  distemper  proving  very  mortal,  I  declined 
visiting  and  baptizing  a  dying  child  ;  if  complaint  be  made,  I 
hope  the  society  will  not  be  offended.  The  parent  said  he 
would  not  defer  baptizing  a  child  so  long  again.  He  is  one  in 
the  scheme  in  number  of  the  half  Quakers.  Sir,  in  the  last 
clause  of  the  certificate  of  the  vestrymen,  you  will  find  that 
Eastchester  was  made  a  distinct  parish  from  Westchester,  in 
1700  :  the  reason  whereof,  I  understand,  was  this,  (viz.)  the  peo- 
ple of  Eastchester  being  generally  Presbyterians,  and  wishing 
to  have  a  minister  of  their  own,  petitioned  the  Assembly  that 
they  might  be  made  a  distinct  parish  from  Westchester,  (to 
which  they  were  before  annexed  by  act  of  Assembly,)  and  ob- 
tained an  act  of  separation  ;  but  when  I  came  among  them,  they 
were  so  well  satisfied  with  the  liturgy  and  doctrines  of  the 
church,  that  they  forsook  their  minister,  and  have  ever  since 
professed  themselves  members  of  the  Church  of  England,  (ex- 
cepting a  very  few  who  are  rigid  Independents,)  and  they  pay 
their  proportion  of  the  fifty  pounds  per  annum,  as  was  allotted 
them  by  the  first  act  of  Assembly. 

If  the  Society  would  be  pleased  to  send  over  one  of  the  few 
youths  of  the  Hospital,  with  an  allowance  of  five  pounds  per 
annum,  to  teach  the  children,  sometimes  at  Yonkers,  and  some- 
times at  Eastchester ;  I  know  the  inhabitants  would  allow  him 
£20  per  annum  more  of  this  country  money  :  and  it  would  be  of 
excellent  use,  if  he  proved  sober  and  diligent  and  well  affection- 
ated  to  our  church. 

I  most  gratefully  acknowledge  the  piety,  zeal,  and  generosity 
of  the  illustrious  Society,  for  their  repeated  and  continued  in- 
stances of  sincere  love  unto  Christ  Jesus,  in  spreading  and  sup- 
porting his  religion  with  indefatigable  care  and  immense  charges. 
And  remain,  Sir,  &c.,a 

John  Bartow." 


■  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  473,  474. 


44  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

From  the  society's  abstracts  we  learn : — that  "  in  1714,  by  the 
blessing  of  God  on  Mr.  Bartow's  ministry  at  Westchester,  East- 
chester,  Yonckers,  and  the  manor  of  Pelham,  where  there  were 
formerly  very  few  of  the  church  communion,  there  was  visibly 
a  very  great  reformation  of  manners."3- 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Westchester,  Feb.  9th,  1716. 

Worthy  Sir  : 

"  I  have  preached  several  funeral  sermons  since  I  came  here, 
and  have  not  received  anything,  save  once,  a  table  for  the  com- 
munion was  given  me  by  a  joiner,  having  preached  a  sermon  at 
his  child's  funeral. "b 

In  answer  to  certain  enquiries,  Mr.  Bartow  again  addressed 
the  Secretary. 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Westchester,  Sept.  12,  1717. 

Worthy  Sir  : 

"  The  church  at  Eastchester  was  built  about  twenty-two  years 
since,  and  supplied  always  by  a  Presbyterian  minister  till  about 
one  year  after  my  coming  here,  when  they  embraced  the  church 
of  England,  and  accepted  of  me  for  their  minister  ;  and  though 
they  had  obtained  an  Act  of  Assembly  under  the  government  of 
Lord  Bellamont,  to  make  them  a  distinct  parish,  yet  they  pay 
their  quota  of  fifty  pound  per  annum  to  me,  according  to  the  first 
establishment.  This  conformity  I  acknowledge,  greatly  owing 
to  the  measures  of  my  Lord  Clarendon,  then  our  Governour. 

2.  There  is  no  parsonage  house  nor  glebe.  The  church  at 
Westchester  was  built  about  twenty  years  since,  and  supplied 


*  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc. 

b  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  519. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  45 

about  two  years  with  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  had  left  them 
before  I  came.  There  is  no  parsonage  house,  but  twenty-three 
acres  of  glebe  given  to  me  and  my  successors,  of  the  Church  of 
England,  which  is  now  well  worth  one  hundred  pounds,  as  im- 
proved by  me ;  scarce  worth  thirty  pound,  when  I  had  it  first. 
[  have  likewise  obtained  for  the  church  a  twenty-five  pound 
share  of  an  undivided  tract  of  land  called  Long  Reach,  the  title 
of  which  has  been  long  controverted  between  the  towns  of  East 
and  Westchester,  which  will  be  about  thirty  acres  more  if  West- 
chester be  possessed,  but  the  dispute  holds  still  without  signs  of 
a  determination. 

3.  Yonkers  has  no  church,  but  we  assemble  for  divine  wor- 
ship sometimes  in  an  house  of  Joseph  Bebts,  deceased,  and  some- 
times in  a  barn,  when  empty,  but  the  people  begin  to  be  in  a 
disposition  to  build  a  church. 

The  other  of  your  letters  is  dated  14th  May,  1716,  wherein 
you  say  the  Society  have  ordered  you  to  acquaint  me,  and  the 
rest  of  the  brethren,  the  clergy,that  at  our  next  meeting  we  should 
inform  them  if  any  of  our  brethren  are  disaffected  to  the  gov- 
ernment of  King  George ;  and  having  had  a  meeting  since,  not 
long  before,  can  only  say,  that  I  am  well  assured  there  is  not  one 
clergyman  in  this  Province,  but  what  is  well  affected  to  the  gov- 
ernment of  his  Majesty,  King  George,  whom  God  bless."a 

Mr.  Bartow  baptized  in  the  year  1718,  "  thirty-two  persons, 
two  of  whom  were  grown  persons,  and  one  negro  man."b 

The  Society's  abstracts  for  1719  say:—"  To  Mr.  William  For- 
ster,  schoolmaster  at  Westchester,  who  has  been  recommended 
as  a  person  very  well  qualified  to  instruct  the  youth  in  the 
principles  of  religion  and  virtue  ;  ten  pounds  per  annum  is 
allowed,  and  a  gratuity  of  £10  has  been  given  him  in  consid- 
eration of  his  past  services,  and  his  present  circumstances."0 

From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bartow,  minister  of  Westchester,  in  the 
same  Province,  "that  in  the  year  1719,  he  had  baptized  twenty- 
two,  one  of  which  was  an  ancient  woman."d 


'Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulhara,  vol.  i.  p.  524,  525. 
k  Printed  abstracts  of  Yen.  P.  Soc.  for  1718. 
'Ibid.  1719. 
'Ibid. 


46  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

From  Mr.  Forster,  schoolmaster  at  the  same  place,  "that  he 
has  at  present  thirty-five  scholars,  whom  he  catechises  every 
Saturday,  and  also  every  (Sunday,  that  Mr.  Bartow  goes  to  ano- 
ther part  of  the  parish;  together  with  all  others  who  will  attend, 
and  has  good  success:  which  is  also  attested  by  the  Minister  and 
chief  inhabitants  of  Westchester."1 

In  1720,  the  different  quotas  for  the  church  and  poor  of  the 
Parish  stood  thus  : — 

Westchester,    £37  10  02  Eastchester,     £12  14  111    ' 

Yonckers,  11  12  10±-         NewRochelle,    12  14     \\ 

Pel  ham,  4    4     1£         Morrisania,  4  10    0 

The  Society's  abstracts  for  1720,  say: — "That  letters  have 
been  received  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bartow,  minister  at  Westchester, 
in  the  Province  of  New-York ;  that  the  number  of  his  Communi- 
cants increases,  though  some  are  dead  or  removed  to  other 
towns,  and  that  he  baptized  in  the  year  1720,  twenty-five,  five 
whereof  were  grown  persons." 

Also,  "  from  Mr.  Forster,  schoolmaster  at  Westchester,  in  the 
Province  of  New- York,  that  he  takes  all  the  care  he  can  of  the 
children,  which  are  sent  to  him,  and  has  upwards  of  thirty 
scholars,  which  he  instructs  in  the  Church  Catechism."b 

In  1721,  Mr.  Bartow  informs  the  Society  : — "That  since  the 
death  of  Mr.  Bondett,  he  preaches  at  four  towns;  Eastchester? 
Westchester,  Yonkers,  and  New  Rochelle,  and  does  other  occa- 
sional offices,  and  that  the  number  of  the  baptized  in  the  year 
1721,  was  twenty-eight,  two  whereof  were  grown  persons.0 

The  next  year  the  Society  allowed  "  Mr.  Bartow,  for  his  ser- 
vice at  New  Rochelle,  ten  pounds."  In  his  report  for  1722,  Mr 
Bartow  says  :— "  That  they  are  repairing  the  church  there  (West- 
chester) with  the  voluntary  contributions  of  the  people,  procured 
chiefly  by  the  zeal  and  care  of  Mr.  Forster,  the  schoolmaster 
there ;  that  in  the  year  1722,  he  baptized  twenty-one  persons 


*  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  P.  Soc. 
b  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  P.  Soc. 

•  Ibid. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  47 

four  whereof  were  adults,  one  a  Negro  man."a  "  In  the  year 
1723,  he  baptized  forty-five,  four  whereof  were  grown  persons."1* 
Mr.  Forster  reports  : — "  That  the  number  of  his  scholars  is  as 
usual,  and  that  he  has  very  good  success  in  his  teaching,  and 
that  they  are  this  summer  building  a  new  school  house  :  and 
that  he  is  raising  a  annual  subscription  for  repairing  and  finish- 
ing the  church."c 

REFD.  JOHN  BARTOW'S  ANSWERS  TO  THE  dUE- 
RIES  OF  THE  BISHOP  OF  LONDON. 

QUERIES    TO   BE    ANSWERED   BY   EVERY   MINISTER. 

Westchester,  in  the  Province  of  New-  York, 
in  America,  July  13,  1724. 

Q.  How  long  is  it  since  you  went  over  to  the  Plantations  as  a  missionary  1 

A.  Twenty-two  years. 

Q.  Have  you  had  any  other  church  before  you  came  to  that  which  you  now 
possess ;  and  if  you  had,  what  church  was  it,  and  how  long  have  you  been 
removed  ? 

A.  No  other  here  :  but  I  was  inducted  to  the  vicarage  of  Pampsford,  in  Cam- 
bridge, May  28th,  1697,  and  removed  here  by  leave  of  Dr.  Patrick,  then  Bishop 
of  Ely. 

Q.  Have  you  been  licensed  by  the  Bishop  of  London  to  officiate  as  a  mission- 
ary, in  the  government  where  you  now  are  1 

A.  I  was  licensed  by  the  Right  Rev.  Father  in  God,  Henry,  Lord  Bishop  of 
London,  June  22nd,  1702,  to  officiate  as  a  missionary. 

Q.  How  long  have  you  been  inducted  into  your  living  1 

A.  I  was  inducted  to  my  living  here,  Nov.  19,  1702,  Lord  Combury  being  then 
Governor. 

Q.  Are  you  ordinarily  resident  in  the  parish  to  which  you  have  been  inducted  1 

A.  I  have  been  resident  in  Westchester  ever  since  I  came. 

Q.  Of  what  extent  is  your  parish,  and  how  many  families  in  it  1 

A.  My  parish  is  in  length  about  twelve  miles,  in  breadth  about  seventy:  about 
two  hundred  families. 

Q.  Arc  there  any  Infidels,  bond  or  free,  within  your  parish,  and  what  means 
are  used  for  their  conversion  1 

A.  We  have  Infidels,  bond  and  free,  who  have  liberty  to  come  to  the  churches, 


»  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  P.  Soc. 

>■  [bid. 

c  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  P.  Soc.  for  1723. 


48  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

and  are  not  denied  baptism  when  fit  and  desirous  of  it ;  some  of  which  I  have 
baptized. 

Q.  How  oft  is  divine  service  performed  in  your  church,  and  what  proportion 
of  the  parishioners  attend  it  1 

A.  Divine  service  is  performed  in  one  of  our  churches  every  Sunday,  when 
I  have  about  seventy  auditors  in  the  afternoon,  there  being  not  quite  so  many  in 
the  morning,  by  reason  that  those  who  live  at  a  distance  seldom  come  in  the 
morning. 

Q.  How  oft  is  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  administered  ;  and  what  is 
the  usual  number  of  communicants'? 

A.  The  Lord's  supper  is  administered  by  me,  in  the  church  at  "Westchester,  on 
Christmas  day,  Easter,  and  Whitsunday,  and  at  other  times,  occasionally  in  other 
places  of  the  parish,  and  we  have  usually  eighteen  communicants,  more  or  less. 

Q.  At  what  times  do  you  catechise  the  youth  of  your  parish  ] 

A.  I  have  been  wont  to  catechise  the  youth  on  Sundays  in  the  afternoon,  before 
we  had  a  settled  school ;  but  now  I  leave  that  office  to  Mr.  Forster,  the  Society's 
schoolmaster,  who  not  only  catechizes  in  the  school,  but  in  the  church,  when  I  am 
absent,  all  that  will  come. 

Q.  Are  all  things  duly  disposed  and  provided  in  the  church,  for  the  decent  and 
orderly  performance  of  divine  service  1 

A.  We  have  all  things  decent,  excepting  the  surplice. 

Q.  Of  what  value  is  your  living  in  sterling  money,  and  how  does  it  arise  1 

A.  The  value  of  my  living  is  .£50  sterling  [of  New- York  money,  which  is 
almost  £32  10,  sterling,  paid  not  without  some  difficulty  and  loss. 

Q.  Have  you  a  house  and  glebe  :  is  your  glebe  in  lease  or  let  by  the  year,  or 
is  it  occupied  by  yourself  1 

A.  I  have  twenty-three  acres  of  glebe  in  my  occupation,  but  no  parsonage 
house.  I  lived  at  my  first  coming  in  an  hired  house,  in  expectation  of  a  par- 
sonage house,  though  talk't  of  to  be  built,  but  finding  it  would  not  be  effected,  two 
years  ago  I  purchased  one. 

Q.  Is  due  care  taken  to  preserve  your  house  in  good  repair,  and  at  whose  ex- 
pense is  it  done  1 

A.  I  live  in  my  own  house,  adjoining  the  glebe,  and  have  always  repaired  it 
at  my  own  expense. 

Q.  Have  you  more  cures  than  one  ;  if  you  have,  what  are  they,  and  in  what 
manner  are  they  served  1 

A.  I  have  four  towns  under  my  cure,  "Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and  the 
Manor  of  Pelham,  of  which  New  Rochelle  is  a  part,  in  whose  churches  I  officiate 
on  Sundays,  according  to  their  several  quotas,  on  the  payment  of  £50  per  annum. 
I  preach  at  Westchester  every  Lord's  day,  excepting  every  fourth  Sunday  at  East- 
chester, three  times  in  the  year  at  Yonkers,  and  so  often  as  I  can  at  New  Rochelle. 

Q.  Have  you  in  your  parish  any  public  school  for  the  instruction  of  youth  ;  if 
you  have,  is  it  endowed,  and  who  is  the  master  1 

A.  "We  have  a  public  school  in  "Westchester,  of  which  Mr.  Forster  is  the  so- 
ciety's school  master,  and  we  have  private  schools  in  other  places ;  no  endow- 
ment ;  some  family  of  the  name  of  Pelham  that  are  adjacent,  come  to  Eastchester 
church. 

Q.  Have  you  a  parochial  library  j  if  you  have,  are  the  books  preserved  and 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  40 

kept  in  good  condition  ;  have  you  any  particular  rules  and  orders  for  the  preser- 
ving of  them ;   are  those  rules  and  orders  duly  observed  1 
A.  We  have  no  parochial  library. 


-rU*  JJC^V 


w 


Rector,  fyc,  of  Westchester.* 

In  his  report  to  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Bartow  observes : — "  That 
the  church  is  much  in  the  same  condition  as  when  he  wrote  last ; 
and  that  in  the  year  1724,  he  baptized  thirty-nine,  two  whereof 
were  grown  persons."b 

The  subjoined  extract  is  from  a  letter  of  his  to  the  Secretary. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Talbot  mentioned  in  the  beginning  of  it,  was  dis- 
missed from  the  society's  service  for  alledged  Jacobitism  : — 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Province  of  New-  York.  May  Ath,  1725. 
Sir:— 
"  1  am  creditably  informed  that  the  Society  have  discharged 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Talbot  from  being  any  longer  their  missionary ; 
whereby  the  fruits  of  the  pious  bequest  of  the  late  Archbishop 
of  Canterbury  do  descend  to  me,  as  being  the  next  oldest  in  their 
service,  of  that  province,  till  by  the  providence  of  God  we  have 
bishops  here  lawfully  established.  Nothing  is  too  great  for  God 
to  give,  even  to  the  undeserving,  and  therefore  I  humbly  and 
thankfully  should  accept  it  of  his  gracious  providence  ;  but  be  at 
the  disposal  of  the  most  Rev.  and  Honorable  Society,  as  seems 
by  an  abstract  of  their  proceedings,  Anno  1714 — I  should  not 
presume  to  ask  it  of  them,  nay,  scarce  desire  it  in  my  private 


■  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Pulham,  vol.  i.  C35. 
b  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Soc. 

4 


50  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

thoughts,  being  conscious  of  my  unworthiness,  and  enjoined  to 
be  content  in  my  condition,  in  which  I  remain,  still  praying  to 
God  for  his  blessings  on  their  christian  labors. 
Sir, 

Your  most  obedient,  &c. 

John  Bartow."* 

Probably  the  last  communication  the  Society  ever  received 
from  Mr.  Bartow,  is  the  following : — 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Westchester,  October  6th,  1725. 

Worthy  Sir  : — 
"There  being  nothing  happened  extraordinary  here,  relating  to 
the  church  since  I  writ  last ;  (saving  the  death  of  the  late  Rev. 
Mr.  Thomas,  of  Hampstead,  which  church  with  that  at  Rye,  are 
supplyed  by  the  zealous  labours  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenny)  I  car* 
only,  as  in  duty  bound,  repeat  my  thankful  acknowledgement 
for  the  Society's  allowance,  which  is  always  duly  paid  by  their 
treasurer,  and  informing  you  that  the  pulpit  and  wainscoat  of 
the  church  at  Eastchester,  was  since  decently  painted,  and  a 
new  gallery  built,  and  the  Presbyterian  minister  when  he  comes, 
not  permitted  to  officiate  therein.  That  God  would  bless  the 
labours  of  the  most  Rev.  and  Honorable  Society,  is  &c. 
Sir, 

Your  most  obedient,  &c. 

John  Bartow."13 

This  excellent  minister  died  at  Westchester,  in  1725.  His  re- 
mains, according  to  the  custom  of  that  day,  were  interred  under 
the  communion  table  in  the  old  parish  church  of  St.  Peter. 
Since  the  removal  of  that  ancient  edifice,  however,  nothing 
serves  distinctly  to  mark  the  site  of  his  tomb,  but  one  thing  is 


■  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  1,  p.  664. 
*>  Ibid,  vol.  1,  pp.  664,  665. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  51 

certain,  "  that  he  who  was  with  him  in  his  last  hour,  and  made 
his  bed  in  his  sickness,  will  watch  over  the  precious  dust  till  he 
shall  bid  it  rise." 

"  So  pious,  just,  and  even,  as  if  he  mean't 
His  name  should  be  his  marble  monument." 

"  Mr.  Bartow  (says  Dr.  Hawkins)  continued  in  the  discharge 
of  his  important  duties  for  the  long  period  of  a  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury. He  was  the  instrument  of  bringing  many  separatists  back 
to  the  church,  and  admitting  into  it  many  hitherto  careless  adults. 
He  likewise  gave  much  of  his  time  to  the  instruction  of  the  poor 
negroes.  By  such  long  and  faithful  services  he  secured  the 
general  esteem  of  his  people."a  In  1705  he  married  Helen  Read, 
second  daughter  of  John  Read,  Esq.,  of  Middrew  Castle,  parish 
of  Kirkleston,  Scotland ;  by  this  lady  he  left  issue,  six  sons.b 
Theophilus,  his  second  son,  was  the  father  of  the  Rev.  Theo- 
dosius  Bartow,  of  New  Rochelle,  whose  grandsons  are  the  Rev. 
Theodore  B.  Bartow,  Chaplain  in  the  U.  S.  N.,  and  the  Rev. 
Henry  B.  Bartow,  of  Whitestone,  L.  I.  A  grand-daughter  of 
Theodosius  married  the  Rev.  Geo.  A.  Shelton,  of  Newtown,  L.  I. 

The  Society's  abstracts  for  1725,  say: — that  among  other 
sums  granted,  was  "  a  gratuity  of  fifty  pounds  which  the  society 
have  made  to  Mrs.  Bartow,  the  widow  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Bar- 
tow, a  missionary  of  the  society  at  Westchester,  in  the  Province 
of  New- York,  in  consideration  of  her  husband's  good  behaviour 
and  diligence  in  the  society's  mission  for  twenty-three  years  and 
upwards,  and  having  six  sons  and  a  wife  unprovided  for."c 

Mr.  Bartow's  last  will  and  testament  was  made  on  the  24th 
of  January,  1725,  but  not  proved  until  the  1st  of  April,  1727. 


•Hawkins'  Historical  Notices  of  the  Miss,  of  the  Church  of  England,  277. 

b  At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  for  the  Borough  of  Westchester,  &c,  the  Gth  day 
of  March,  4726-7— according  to  ye  last  meeting  (21st  March,  1725-6,)  the  commit- 
tee appointed  to  make  report  of  the  persons  who  had  made  encroachments  upon 
the  sheepjpasture,  gave  in  the  name  ofJMr.  Bartow  and  others.  "  Whereupon. 
Mr.  Forster  appeared  in  behalf  of  ye  orphants  of  Mr.  John  Bartow,  yt  what  they 
have  taken  in  ixpon  ye  sheep  pasture  ;  yt  they  will  leave  out  when  they  rectify  ye 
fences."    Westchester  Town  Rec.  Lib.  ix.  187,  188. 

•  Printed  abstracts  from  18th  Feb.  1725,  to  17th  Feb.  1726. 


52  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

THE  WILL  OF  JOHN  BARTOW,  CLERK. 

In  the  name  op  God,  Amen,  the  twenty-fourth  of  January,  in  ye  twelvth  year 
of  the  reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  King  George,  Annoq  Dom.  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  twenty-five,  I,  John  Bartow,  of  the  Burrough  Town  of  West- 
chester, in  the  County  of  Westchester,  and  Province  of  New  York,  Clerk,  being 
sick  and  weak  in  body,  but  of  sound  and  perfect  memory,  praise  be  given  to  God 
therefore,  and  considering  the  uncertainty  of  this  transitory  life,  do  make  this  my 
last  Will  &  Testament  in  manner  and  form  following,  that  is  to  say:  First,  and 
principally,  I  commend  my  soul  to  Almighty  God  my  creator,  assuredly  believing 
that  my  sins  will  be  remitted,  and  that  I  shall  be  saved  by  the  precious  death  and 
merits  of  my  blessed  Saviour  and  Redeemer,  Christ  Jesus :  and  my  body  to  the  earth, 
to  be  buried  at  the  discretion  of  my  ex'tors,  hereafter  named  :  and  touching  such 
worldly  estate  as  God  hath  been  pleased  to  bestow  upon  me ;  I  do  hereby  give 
and  dispose  of  the  same  in  manner  and  form  following,  that  is  to  say :  First,  I 
hereby  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  beloved  wife,  Helena,  one  equal  third  part  of 
all  my  personal  estate  for  the  use  of  her,  her  heirs,  and  assigns  for  ever.    Item,  I 
hereby  will  and  order  that  my  funeral  charges,  and  all  my  just  debts  be  paid  out 
of  the  remainder  of  my  personal  estate  within  convenient  time  after  my  decease, 
by  my  executors  hereafter  named.     Only  it  is  hereby  provided,  that  whereas,  John 
Mash,  of  Westchester  above  said,  boatman,  for  and  in  consideration  of  my  be- 
coming bound  together  with  the  said  John  Mash,  at  his  special  instance  and  re- 
quest, and  for  the  proper  debt  of  the  said  John  Mash,  by  a  certain  obligation  in 
the  penal  sum  of  four  score  pounds,  currant  money  of  New  York,  with  condition 
for  the  pa3rment  of  forty  pounds  of  like  current  money,  at  a  certain  day  in  the  said 
condition  exprest,  and  for  other  considerations,  did  by  a  certain  deed,  indented 
under  his  hand  and  seal  and  the  hand  and  seal  of  Rosamond,  his  wife,  dated  the 
sixth  day  of  April,  anno  dom.  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty-two,  con- 
vey unto  me  a  certain  Home  Lot,  scituate  in  said  Westchester,  with  its  appurte- 
nances, and  a  twenty-five  pounds  priviledge  of  commonage  in  said  town.    If  the 
said  John  Mash,  his  heirs,  executors,  or  administrators,  do  not  well  and  truly  dis- 
charge and  pay  off  the  said  obligation  and  all  sums  of  money  due  thereon,  within 
one  year  next  after  my  decease,  I  hereby  order  my  executors  to  sell  the  said  lott 
and  priviledge,  and  to  apply  the  money  arising  by  the  said  sale,  towards  discharg- 
ing of  my  debt.    Item,  I  give  unto  my  beloved  wife,  the  use  of  all  the  remaining 
part  of  my  personal  estate,  except  what  is  herein  afterwards  expressly  disposed  of 
during  her  widowhood.    And  if  my  said  wife  shall  marry  again,  (if  her  husband 
shall  immediately,  upon  their  marriage,  give  good  security  to  my  children  or  their 
guardians,  that  all  such  part  of  my  personal  estate  as  shall  remain  in  my  wife's 
hands  over  and  above  her  third  part  given  unto  her  as  aforesaid,  immediately  at 
and  before  her  marrying  again,  shall  not  be  wasted  or  embezzled,  but  that  the 
same,  or  value  thereof,  shall  be  made  good  at  her  decease,)  then  I  give  unto  her 
the  use  thereof  during  the  term  of  her  natural  life,  and  at  her  decease,  or  if  upon 
her  marrying  again,  the  aforesaid  security  shall  be  refused  to  be  given  ;  then  at  her 
re-marriage,  I  give  the  same  equally  between  my  six  sons,  Thomas,  Theophilus, 
Theodosius,  John,  Anthony,  and  Basil  Bartow,  for  the  use  of  them  and  their  sev- 
eral heirs  and  assigns.    Item,  in  consideration  that  my  beloved  wife  bring  up  my 
children  I  give  unto  her  the  sole  use  and  benefit  of  my  dwelling  house  and  home- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  53 

stead,  and  all  my  land  adjoining  thereto,  and  of  all  my  land  at  Scabby  Indian, 
bounde.l  southeasterly  by  the  land  of  John  "Williams  westerly  by  the  country  road 
northerly  by  the  road  that  goes  to  Thomas  Haddon's  saw  mill,  and  by  Daniel 
Turner's  land,  also  of  about  two  acres  of  land  lying  within  said  Daniel  Turner's 
land,  and  of  my  orchard  land,  salt  and  fresh  meadow,  at  the  place  commonly  call- 
ed below,  which  was  formerly  Edward  Collier's,  David  Huestiss  and  Horseman 
Mullinder,  and  also  a  twenty-five  pounds  privilege  of  commonage  in  said  West- 
chester, for  and  during  the  term  of  her  natural  life ;  and  I  also  give  unto  my  wife, 
until  my  son  John  shall  attain  to  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  the  use  of  all  such 
part  of  my  land  in  said  Westchester,  which  I  lately  purchased  of  David  Heustis, 
Nathaniel  Underhill,  Daniel  Clark,  and  Thomas  Haddon,  and  John  Heustis,  as  I 
have  not  already  let  out  upon  lease,  and  the  rents  of  all  such  part  thereof  as  I  have 
leased.  Item,  I  give  unto  my  son,  John  Bartow,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever, 
all  those  tracts  of  land  I  lately  bought  of  David  Heustis,  Nathaniel  Underhill, 
Daniel  Clark,  and  Thomas  Haddon,  and  John  Heustis,  a  twenty-five  pound  priv- 
iledge  of  commonage  in  said  Westchester,  together  with  all  my  right,  title  and 
interest  in  a  tract  of  land  called  the  Long  Reach  ;  also  four  acres  of  salt  meadow 
in  Westches'.er  abovesaid,  which  I  purchased  of  James  Morris,  by  a  deed  passed 
under  his  hand  and  seal,  dated  the  fifteenth  day  of  January,  Anno  Dom.  172| ;  also 
all  my  tract  of  land  and  meadow  at  Barnagat,  in  East  New  Jersey,  being  about 
sixty  acres ;  also  two-eighths  of  a  moyety  of  a  sixteenth  part  of  a  twenty-fourth 
part  or  propriety  in  East  New  Jersey,  granted  by  Gowen  Drummond  to  John  Reid, 
senr.,  and  by  said  John  Reid  to  me,  and  my  least  gold  ring,  and  a  new  English 
Bible  in  Quarto.  Item,  I  give  unto  my  son,  Theophilus  Bartow,  his  heirs  and 
assigns  fjr  ever,  my  saw  mill,  situate  and  being  in  Monmouth  County,  in  East 
New  Jersey,  and  all  my  tracts  of  land  and  purchase  adjoining,  containing  about 
one  thousand  acres,  be  they  more  or  less ;  also  a  twenty-fourth  part  of  a  tenth  part 
of  an  undivided  twenty-fourth,  or  a  propriety  in  East  New  Jersey  granted  by  Mari- 
on Cambell  to  John  Reid,  senr.,  and  by  said  John  Reid  to  me,  and  my  heaviest 
gold  ring,  and  an  English  Bible  in  Quarto.  Item,  I  give  unto  my  son,  Thomas 
Bartow,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever,  all  my  tract  of  land  in  Monmouth  County, 
in  East  New  Jersey,  on  Milstone  brook,  joining  to  Coll.  Anderson's  land,  contain- 
ing about  eleven  hundred  acres,  granted  to  me  and  my  wife  Helena,  by  my  father- 
in-law,  John  Reid,  by  deed  bearing  date  the  tenth  day  of  November,  Anno  Domini 
one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  five  ;  also  one  half  of  a  fortieth  part  of  a  propriety 
in  East  New  Jersey,  granted  to  me  by  said  John  Reid,  by  deed,  dated  the  fourth 
day  of  April,  Anno  Dom.  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fourteen,  and  all  my 
Greek  and  Latin  books,  my  watch,  and  a  new  English  Bible,  in  Quarto.  Item,  I 
give  unto  my  son,  Theodosius  Bartow,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  all  my  tract 
of  land  situate  in  Monmouth  County,  in  East  New  Jersey,  on  the  east  branch,  con- 
taining iive  hundred  acres,  joyning  to  James  Edwards,  also  all  my  meadow  on  the 
south  side  of  .said  branch,  from  the  lower  end  of  the  timber  swamp  down  to  the 
mouth  of  said  branch ;  also  all  my  tract  of  Indian  purchase  land  to  the'  northward 
of  this  tract ;  also  two-eighths  of  a  moyety  of  a  sixteenth  part  of  a  twenty-fourth 
part  or  propriety  of  East  New  Jersey,  granted  to  John  Read,  senr.,  by  Gowen 
Drummond,  and  by  John  Read  to  me,  my  other  gold  ring,  and  a  new  English  Bible 
in  Quarto.  Item,  I  give  unto  my  son  Anthony  Bartow,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for- 
ever, all  my  tract  of  land  on  Monlapau  River,  beginning  at  the  head  of  Mount- 
brook,  and  runs  thence  southeast  fifty-two  chains,  thence  north  northwest  half  a 


54  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

point,  westerly  to  the  land  late  of  Robert  Barclay,  thence  southwest  to  the  said 
River,  where  said  Mount-brook  falls  into  said  River,  thence  up  the  stream  of  said 
brook  to  where  it  began  ;  also  that  tract  of  my  Indian  purchase  land  joining  on 
the  south  to  my  son  Thomas's  land  herein  before  given  him ;  also  two-eighths 
of  a  moyety  of  a  sixteenth  part  of  a  twenty-fourth  part  or  propriety  of  East  New 
Jersey,  granted  by  Gowen  Drummond  to  John  Read,  senr.,  and  by  him  to  me, 
and  a  new  English  Bible  in  Q.uarto.  Item,  I  give  unto  my  son,  Basil  Bartow,  his 
heirs  and  assigns  forever,  all  my  tract  of  land  in  the  County  of  Middlesex,  in  East 
New  Jersey,  on  South  River,  being  four  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  and  sixty  acres 
of  salt  meadow  in  the  round  about  meadow,  also  two-eighths  of  a  moyety  of  a 
sixteenth  part  of  a  twenty -fourth  part  of  a  propriety  in  East  New  Jersey,  granted 
by  Gowen  Drummond  to  John  Read,  senr.,  and  by  him  to  me,  also  my  tract  of 
Indian  purchase  land,  called  Price  Hill,  and  a  new  English  Bible  in  Quarto.  Item, 
I  give  all  my  lands,  buildings,  and  meadows,  and  the  twenty-five  pounds  priviledge 
hereby  granted,  to  my  wife  during  her  natural  life  ;  from  and  after  her  decease,  to 
my  six  sons,  Thomas,  Theophilus,  Theodosius,  John,  Anthony,  and  Basil,  to  be 
divided  equally  between,  for  the  use  of  them  and  their  several  heirs  and  assigns 
forever.  Item,  I  give  all  my  other  English  books  equally  between  my  wife  and 
my  six  sons  aforesaid,  each  of  them  to  have  an  equal  part.  Item,  I  hereby  will 
and  order,  that  if  one  or  more  of  my  sons  should  depart  this  life  and  leave  no  law- 
ful begotten  issue,  that  the  lands,  the  meadows,  and  all  other  the  premises  hereby 
given  unto  such  son  or  sons,  shall  be  equally  divided  between  my  other  sons,  and 
the  issue  of  such  of  them  as  may  be  deceased ;  that  is  to  say,  I  will  that  the  law- 
ful issue  of  any  of  my  sons  which  may  be  de'ed,  shall  inherit  in  the  stead  of  their 
de'ed  Father  one  equal  part  among  them,  (if  more  than  one)  with  my  surviving 
son  or  sons  of  such  estate  or  estates  as  I  have  hereby  given  unto  such  son  or  sons 
as  may  and  shall  dye  under  age,  and  without  lawful  begotten  issue  as  aforesaid. 
Item,  I  hereby  order,  that  whereas  one  James  Miller,  lays  claim  to  some  part  of  my 
lands  and  meadows  in  East  New  Jersey,  and  that  the  said  Miller  has  proposed  to 
convey  unto  me  all  his  right  and  title  whatsoever,  of,  in  and  to  all  and  any  part  of 
my  said  lands  and  meadows,  on  consideration  of  my  paying  unto  him  one  hundred 
pounds,  Proclamation  money  :  if  the  agreement  be  not  compleated  before  my  de- 
cease, my  ex'tors  shall,  upon  the  said  James  Miller,  or  his  heirs,  or  any  others  by 
him  lawfully  authorized,  executing  sufficient  deeds  in  the  law  for  all  the  right 
title  and  demand  of  him  the  said  James  Miller,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  of,  in,  or  to 
all  or  any  of  my  lands,  meadows,  and  rights  in  the  Province  of  East  New  Jersey, 
by  which  deeds  the  same  shall  be  confirmed  pursuant  and  agreeable  to  this  my 
last  will  and  testament :  and  for,  and  to  the  use  and  uses  of  such  of  my  children  to 
whom  I  have  given  the  same,  pay  unto  the  said  James  Miller,  his  heirs,  ex'tors, 
adm'rs,  or  assigns,  one  hundred  pounds  proclamation  money,  to  be  raised  out  of 
my  personal  estate.  Lastly,  I  hereby  nominate  and  appoint  my  beloved  wife,  and 
William  Forster,  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  to  be  ex'tors  of  this  my  last  will  and 
testament. 

In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal,  the  day  and  year 
abovesaid. 

JOHN  BARTOW. 


AND  CHUKCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  55 

Signed,  sealed,  published,  pronounced  and  declared  by  the  said   John  Bartow, 
to  be  his  last  will  and  testament,  in  the  presence  of 

Tno.  Hadden, 
Will.  Thompson,  & 
Daniel  Turner. 


Mr.  Bartow  was  succeeded  in  1727  by  the 

REV.  THOMAS  STANDARD,  A.  M.,  M.  D., 

a  native  of  Taunton,  Somersetshire,  England,  and  descended 
from  an  ancient  family  of  that  name,  formerly  seated  at  White- 
hill,  in  Oxfordshire. a  He  appears  to  have  been  brought  up  as 
a  physician,  but  changed  his  profession  and  entered  the  ministry. 
In  1725  he  was  appointed  by  order  of  the  Venerable  Society, 
their  missionary  at  Brookhaven,  upon  Long  Island.  From  his 
first  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  that  body,  we  take  the  following 
extract :— "  October  5th,  1725, — It  is  with  satisfaction  on  all  sides, 
yt  I  can  now  tell  you  that  I  am  safely  arrived  at  New- York  :  a 
country  both  pleasant  and  plentiful,  where  I  landed  the  10th  of 
the  last  month,  and  where  I  believe  I  shall  take  up  my  abode 
for  the  poor  remainder  of  my  life  ;  and  let  me  add,  that  it  is  a 
pity  that  some  clergymen  who  are  starving  at  home,  and  who, 
to  my  knowledge,  have  sometimes  been  so  hard  put  to  it,  as  not 
to  be  able  to  tell  where  to  get  a  Sunday's  dinner  for  themselves 
and  family;  should  show  so  much  unwillingness  to  transplant 
themselves  to  our  plantations,  where  their  ministrations  are  so 
much  wanted  ;  and  where  there  is  a  people  speaking  their  own 
language,  and  who  are  ready  to  receive  them  with  all  marks  of 
respect  and  affection,  even  here  in  York,  which  I  take  to  have  a 
serene  and  healthful  air  above  any  other  of  the  plantations. — 
P.  S.  October  19th — I  am  now  at  the  City  of  New-York,  where 
I  am  collecting,  among  the  church  friends,  for  the  building  of  a 
church  at  Brookhaven,  &c. — Designing  to  set  up  catechising  in 
my  parish,  I  have  borrowed  a  few  catechisms  of  Mr.  Wetmore, 


1  The  arms  of  this  family  were  : — vert,  an  arrow,  in  pale,  or,  feathered  and  head- 
ed arg. — Crest,  a  cubit  arm,  erect,  vert,  cuifed  arg,  holding  in  the  hand  ppr,  a 
bow,  strung.  . .  . 


56  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

&c. :  I  hope  the  next  time  you  will  put  me  into  a  condition  to 
repay  the  same."a 

October,  1726,  he  writes  to  the  Secretary,  thus  : — "Rev.  sir, — 
I  humbly  beg  you  would  use  your  interest  for  me  with  the  Honor- 
able Society,  for  my  remove  to  Westchester,  and  that  the  person 
assigned  for  Westchester,  (if  any  such  there  be)  may  be  ordered 
hither  :  such  a  remove  would  be  a  very  great  favour  to  me  in  my 
present  circumstances,  in  that  Westchester  is  between  four  or 
five  hours  ride  from  York,  where  I  may  be  abundantly  supplyed 
with  any  convenience  of  life."b 

The  following  mandate  was  issued  by  his  Excellency,  Wil- 
liam Burnet,  on  the  8th  of  July,  1727 : — 

MANDATE  FROM  GOVERNOR  BURNET  TO  INDUCT 
THE  REV.  THOMAS  STANDARD  TO  THE  REC- 
TORY OF  WESTCHESTER. 

Wilhelmus  Burnet  Armiger  Provincial  Novi  Eboraci,  necnon  Novas  Csesaris 
in  America  Strategus  etlmperator  ejusdemque  Vice  Admiralis,  &c. 

Universis  et  Singulis  Clericis  et  Ministris  Ecclesioe  Anglicanaequibuscumque 
in  et  per  totam  Provinciam  Novi  Eboraci  Ubilibet  Constitutis  Sive  JEdilibus 
Ecclesias  Parochialis  de  Estria  Occidentalis  in  Comitatu  Estrice  Occidentalis  infra 
provinciam  predictam  prolix  Tempore  Salutem  Cum  dilectum  in  Christo  Thoma 
Standard  Clericum  ad  rectoriam  sive  Ecclesiam  parochialem  predict  Estrice  Oc- 
cidentalis in  Comitatu  in  dicta  Provincise  Novi  Eboraci  in  America,  Jam  vacan- 
tem  Ipsium  que  proesentatum  Rectorem  Ejusdem  Rectorise  Sive  Ecclesice  paro- 
chialis in  et  de  Eadem  Admissam  Voeis  Conjunctim  et  Divisim  Comitto  et 
firmiter  injungendo  mando,  duatenus  Eundem  Thoma  Standard  Clericum  Sive 
procuralorem  suumLegitimum  Ejus  Nomine  et  pro  se  in  Realem  Actualem  Cor- 
poralem  possessionem  Ipsius  Rectoria?  et  Ecclesise  parochialis  de  Estrios  Occiden- 
tal! predict.  Glebarium,  Juriumque :  et  pertinentium  Suorum  Univer  sorem. 
Conferatis  Inducatis  Inducive  faciatis  et  Inductum  defendalis  et  quid  in  premissis 
feceritis  me  aut  alium  Judicem  in  hac  parte  Competentem  quemcumque  ;  debite 
(cum  ad  id  congrue  fueritis  requisiti  certificetis  seu  sic  certificet  ille  vestrum  qui) 
prcesens  hoc  mandatum  fuerit  executus.  Datum  sub  sigillo  prerogativoe  dicta? 
Provincial  Novi  Eboraci  viii,  die  Junii  Anno  Salutis  MDCCXXVII. 

W.  BURNET. 

By  His  Excellency's  Command. 
Js.  Bobin,  D.  Sec'ry.6 


*  Hawks'  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  C68,  671. 
b  Hawks'  New-York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i,  674. 
«  Albany  deed  book,  xii.  p.  160. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  57 

In  his  report  for  172S,  Mr.  Standard  says  : — "  That  he  preaches 
one  Sunday  at  Eastchester  and  another  at  Westchester,  twice  a 
day,  for  the  summer  half  year,  and  that  he  catechises  the  chil- 
dren publickly  at  Eastchester  :  and  has  baptized  since  he  came 
to  Westchester,  about  fifty  children,  besides  two  grown  persons; 
and  that  the  number  of  his  communicants  are  about  thirty."3- 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  and  freeholders  of  the  borough 
town  of  Westchester,  held  the  14th  of  March,  1729,  present,  Miles 
Oakley,  president,  and  Thomas  Hadden,  Nathaniel  Underhill, 
Underbill  Barnes,  Thomas  Baxter.  John  Palmer,  Thomas  Hunt, 
Joseph  Hunt,  and  James  Baxter,  trustees : — ordered,  that  Na- 
thaniel Underhill,  treasurer,  pay  Ebenezer  Haviland, 

For  a  spindle  for  the  church,        .        .        .        .£376 
To  Justice  Hadden,  for  lath  and  service  done,       .  2    8    0 

To  Captain  Oakley  for  service  done,     .         .         .  0     6     0 

Allowed  the  treasurer  for  four  white  oak  plank,  ? 

Carting  ditto,  and  for  the  weathercock,  ) 

To  Wm.  Oakley  for  bringing  the  weathercock  from 

New- York, 0    3     0 

To  Israel  Honeywell  for  4500  shingles  and  carting: 

and  paid  for  mending  the  windows, 
To  Mr.  Gillaim  for  work  done  above  his  articles, 
To  Mr.  Gillaim  for  work  as  per  articles, 
To  expenses  at  making  the  agreement, 
To  Mr.  Barnett,  expenses  at  this  meeting,     . 
To  Jeremiah  Fowler's  expenses, 

Total,'*  £73    7    9 

"At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees,  &c.,  had  on  the  6th  day  of  May, 
A.  D.  1729,  present  Miles  Oakley,  president,  John  Palmer,  Thom- 
as Baxter,  Joseph  Hunt,  Thomas  Hadden,  Thomas  Hunt,  Na- 
thaniel Underhill,  John  Cromwell,  Underhill  Barnes,  and  Miles 
Oakley,  jr.,  trustees  ;  pursuant  to  an  act  of  general  assembly  of 


1     1 


12 

1 

0 

9 

2 

3 

42 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

9 

0 

0 

10 

0 

■  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc. 
b  Westchester  Town  Rec.  vol.  ix.  212. 


58  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

this  province,  passed  in  the  tenth  year  of  the  reign  of  our  late 
sovereign  lord,  King  William  the  Third,  of  glorious  memory, 
entitled  an  act  to  enable  the  respective  towns  in  this  province  to 
build  and  repair  their  meeting  houses  and  other  publick  build- 
ings : — Resolved,  nemine  contra  dicente,  that  the  sum  of  £70 
shall  be  raised,  and  also  the  collection  for  the  same  sum,  for  the 
repairing  St.  Peter's  Church  in  said  Westchester,  and  for  no 
other  use,  and  that  they  will  make  a  rate  accordingly,  agreeable 
to  ye  next  assessments  to  be  made  and  taken  of  the  town  sworn 
assessors,  and  that  they  will  meet  on  ye  22d  hist.,  to  agree  with 
workmen  for  that  purpose."3- 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  trustees,  "  £16  was  ordered  to 
be  raised  to  finish  the  seats  of  the  church,  secure  the  frame,  and 
to  pay  off  the  arrears,  the  seals  to  be  made  with  backs,  including 
the  collector's  fees  :  and  Underhill  Barnes,  and  Thomas  Hunt, 
are  appointed  overseers  of  the  work,  and  to  employ  workmen. 
It  was  further  ordered  that  a  warrant  be  issued  for  raising  said 
money  according  to  law,  to  be  paid  at  ye  same  time  with  the 
county  tax.  Also  ordered,  that  the  overseers  now  chosen  require 
Henry  Gillaim  to  compleat  his  work,  especially  the  front  of  the 
gallery,  and  to  make  it  secure  and  substantial."b 

MR.  STANDARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Westchester,  Nov.  5,  1729. 

Rev.  Sir  : 

"The  difficulty  of  the  undertaking  has  hitherto  discouraged 
me  from  attempting  an  answer  to  the  letter  of  enquiries  which 
was  sent  me  long  ago ;  but  am  resolved  to  send  you  the  best  ac- 
count I  can  with  relation  to  those  heads  of  enquiry  you  were 
pleased  to  send  me. 

As  to  the  first,  in  my  parish  are  three  churches,  the  first  of 
Westchester  in  the  town  so  called,  deemed  the  mother  church,  in 
that  the  presentation  from  the  Governour  runs  thus : — 


*  Westchester  Town  Rec.  vol.  ix.  p.  206. 
b  Ibid  vol.  ix.  213. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  59 

'To  the  rector  yof  Westchester,  the  glebe  thereof,  and  to  all  the 
rights  and  appurtenances  of  the  same  :  in  which  is  supposed  to  be 
included  the  church  of  Eastchester,  which  my  predecessor  died 
possessed  of.' 

The  church  of  Westchester  is  a  square  of  twenty-eight  foot 
of  a  side,  about  eighteen  feet  to  the  eaves,  and  near  of  the  same 
dimensions  and  form  as  the  church  of  Eastchester,  save  that  the 
church  of  Westchester  hath  a  sort  of  cupulo  in  which  is  hung  a 
bell,  so  that  the  whole  resembles  much  our  pigeon  houses  in 
England. 
vv  The  churches  both  of  East  and  Westchester,  and  indeed  most 
of  the  buildings  of  this  county,  are  made  after  the  following  man- 
ner, viz  :  they  make  a  frame  of  certain  dimensions  which  they 
raise  by  piecemeal ;  first,  placing  the  under  post  upon  stones 
placed  here  and  there  to  support  it,  when  the  whole  frame  is 
put  together  they  fill  up  the  vacancies  under  the  said  frame, 
which  they  call  underpining,  then  they  raise  the  top  part  or  roof 
in  like  manner  as  we  do  with  rafters,  applying  upon  them  laths, 
and  upon  them  they  nail  some  split  wood,  commonly  cedar,  that 
being  the  most  in  esteem,  of  about  half  an  inch  thick,  and  half 
a  foot  wide,  and  sometimes  two,  sometimes  three  foot  long,  ac- 
cording to  the  intention  of  the  builder,  of  being  either  more  sa- 
ving in  charge,  or  more  secure  against  the  weather.  The  wall 
part  is  likewise  covered  with  laths,  and  upon  them  are  nailed, 
as  on  the  roof,  split  wood  which  they  call  shingles,  and  they  are 
placed  perpendicularly,  but  then  not  so  thickly  placed  one  by 
the  other  as  on  the  roof,  where  they  resemble  our  tiles. 

The  Church  of  Westchester  was  built  by  the  Quakers,  (who 
were  the  first  settlers  in  this  place,  and  are  still  the  most  numer- 
ous party  in  and  about  it,  and  indeed  the  whole  parish,  as  to  their 
manners,  are  somewhat  (Quakerish)  and  by  them  was  given  to 
Colonel  Heathcote,  for  the  use  and  service  of  the  Church  of  En- 
gland.a 


*  These  statements  are  certainly  incorrect ;  for  we  have  shown,  1st,  that  the  early 
inhabitants  were  Puritan  Independents ;  2d,  the  church  was  built  by  a  public  tax, 
levied  on  all  the  inhabitants ;  and  3rdly,  all  public  property  became  vested  iu  the 
church  establishedjby  law.    Editor. 


60  HISTORY  OF  TIIE  PARISH 

The  church  is  endowed  with  thirty  acres  of  land  at  £3  per 
annum,  besides  which  the  minister  hath  a  salary  of  £50  of  this 
currency,  raised  yearly  by  virtue  of  an  act  of  Assembly,  of  and 
for  this  Province.  The  second  church  is  that  of  Eastchester, 
built  by  the  Independants,  and  by  them  delivered  up  to  Mr. 
Bartow,  who  was  formerly  inducted  into  the  same,  and  kept 
quiet  possession  of  it  all  his  time,  permitting  the  Independants 
sometimes  to  assemble  in  it. 

The  third,  is  New  Rochelle,  where  Mr.  Stoup  officiates,  and 
where  a  certain  number  of  the  French  nation  have  divine  ser- 
vice according  to  the  form  and  manner  of  the  Church  of  England. 
i  but  the  greatest  number  of  that  nation  flock  to  a  meeting  house 
of  their  own  erecting,  who  are  particularly  fond  on  the  Mahom- 
etan doctrine  of  absolute  decrees,  as  the  Dutch  likewise  of  this 
country  are,  who,  where  they  have  no  minister  of  their  own, 
will  establish  a  reader  in  orcfer  to  hinder  their  people  from  as- 
sembling with  the  English. 

To  the  second  enquiry,  I  answer,  that  the  number  of  those 
well  affected  to  the  Church  of  England,  were  not  above  three 
or  four  families  at  the  utmost,  those  that  now  frequent  the  church 
at  West  and  Eastchester  in  the  summer-time,  and  especially  at 
the  afternoon  service,  are  about  one  hundred,  but  in  the  winter, 
not  half  that  number,  though  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  my 
parish  are  computed  to  be  about  six  thousand.  Their  employments 
is  husbandry,  even  innkeepers,  shopkeepers,  smiths,  and  shoe- 
makers not  excepted ;  so  that  we  pray,  pay  and  wait  too,  for 
everything  done  in  this  country. 

As  to  their  religion,  those  who  first  settled  in  Westchester 
town,  some  were  Quakers,  those  in  Eastchester  were  New  En- 
gland Independants,  who  were  in  love  with  extemporary  prayers, 
and  who  remain  so  in  some -degree  after  they  are  reconciled  to 
our  church,  so  that  the  chief  hope  of  making  proselytes,  lyes 
amongst  the  younger  sort,  and  in  order  to  this,  I  believe  the 
reading  of  some  of  our  defences  to  the  objections  of  the  Dissent- 
ers particularly,  and  especially  the  London  cases  abridged  by 
Bennet,  would  be  of  singular  use. 

As  the  people  of  this  country  are  all  farmers,  they  are  dis- 
persed up  and  down  the  country  :  and  even  in  towns,  every  one 


AND  CHURCH  OP  WESTCHESTER.  61 

has  a  plott  of  at  least  ten  acres,  which  distances  his  neighbour 
from  him,  but  then  they  make  up  for  the  rareness  of  their  build- 
ings by  enlarging  the  compass  of  their  towns,  in  that  they  gene- 
rally make  their  townships  many  miles  in  length,  it  may  be 
twenty  or  thirty. 

In  my  parish  are  two  meeting  houses,  one  of  which  is  of 
Quakers,  built  within  a  stone  throw  of  the  Church  of  West- 
chester, and  is  indeed  a  better  building  than  that.  The  other 
is  at  New  Rochelle.  The  Church  of  Eastchester  is  about  four 
miles  east  of  that  of  Westchester,  and  the  Church  of  New  Ro- 
chelle is  about  four  miles  east  of  Eastchester.  In  New  Rochelle, 
besides  the  church,  there  is  a  meeting  house  of  French  Protest- 
ant Dissenters ;  no  such  meeting  house  being  in  Eastchester, 
they  supply  that  want  by  an  intrusion  into  the  church  :  to  which 
they  plead  a  right,  as  being  the  chief  builders  thereof.  But  1 
being  legally  presented  and  inducted,  as  was  likewise  my  pre- 
decessor, I  laid  claim  to  it  as  my  own  proper  right,  exclusive  of 
them  ;  and  so  kept  them  out  of  it  for  a  time,  but  they  but  rarely 
meeting  in  it,  and  threatening  a  law  suit,  I  permitted  them  to  do 
as  they  had  done  in  my  predecessor's  time  :  being  somewhat  at  a 
loss  how  to  behave  in  that  affair;  I  should  be  glad  to  have  the 
Society's  direction  therein. 

"  In  the  winter  time  we  have  severely  cold  weather,  with  very 
hard  frost  and  deep  snows,  which  hold  us  at  least  four  months, 
beginning  generally  about  the  middle  of  November,  and  ending 
about  the  middle  of  March,  but  we  have  very  cold  winds  some- 
time before,  and  likewise  sometime  after  the  time  aforesaid,  so 
that  we  reckon,  six  months  of  cold  and  six  months  of  hot  weath- 
er, four  of  these  being  extremely  cold,  and  four  extremely  hot. 
It  is  the  business  of  the  summer  here,  to  provide  for  the  winter, 
by  which  means  few  of  our  farmers  rise,  or  are  so  much  as  be- 
foreband  with  the  world  :  but  the  far  greatest  number  are  in- 
volved in  debts  and  difficulties  by  means  of  the  intemperature 
of  the  climate,  and  the  indolence  and  restiveness  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, but  few  here  improve  in  their  fortunes,  so  that  for  ought 
I  could  hitherto  learn  by  any  observation  I  could  make  in  my 
parish,  the  number  of  those  that  die  in  it  exceeds  not  the  num 
ber  of  those  that  run  out  of  it. 


62  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

To  the  third  head  of  enquiry  I  answer,  that  there  are  three 
meeting  houses  in  my  parish,  one  of  the  Quakers  of  Westchester, 
one  of  the  Dutch,  from  it  three  miles  west,  and  one  of  the  French 
at  New  Rochelle.  The  Dutch  Church  has  no  settled  teacher,  but 
is  supplyed  once  a  quarter  from  New- York,  at  other  times  it  is 
supplied  only  by  a  reader.  The  Quakers  preach  against  hierling 
priests,  and  pretend  to  give  nothing  to  their  teachers.  The  other 
Dissenters  support  their  teachers  by  a  free  contribution  raised 
amongst  themselves. 

To  the  fourth  head  of  enquiry,  I  say,  there  are  three  schools 
and  three  schoolmasters.  The  first  school  is  at  Westchester, 
William  Forester,  master,  who  has  a  salary  from  the  Venerable 
Society,  whom  we  have  the  honor  to  serve.  The  second  is  at 
Eastchester,  one  Delpech  master,  who  is  very  well  adapted  and 
fitted  for  that  business,  and  is  well  spoken  of  as  being  diligent 
in  it :  the  third  is  at  New  Rochelle,  where  both  French  and 
English  are  taught.  The  two  last  have  no  other  encouragement 
than  what  the  parents  of  the  children  taught,  do  give. 

To  the  fifth,  there  have  been  no  donations  that  I  know  of, 
made  either  to  the  Church  of  West  or  Eastchester,  nor  any  ben- 
efaction to  the  minister  or  schoolmaster  of  either  place,  nor  is 
there  any  Library  belonging  to  either  church,  save  a  few  books 
Mrs.  Bartow  delivered  to  me. 

To  the  sixth  and  last  head  of  the  enquiry,  I  answer,  that  in 
the  Township  of  Westchester,  there  are  seventy-five,  in  that  of 
Eastchester,  twenty-six,  but  few  of  these  negroes  are  in  the  ser- 
vice of  those  belonging  to  our  church ;  and  then  farther,  the 
state  of  the  negroes  being  servitude  and  bondage,  all  the  week 
they  are  held  to  hard  work,  but  only  Sunday's  excepted,  when 
they  fish  or  fowl  or  some  other  way  provide  for  themselves.  Their 
scattered  position  up  and  down  the  country  some  distance  from 
the  church,  but  have  all  the  prejudices  of  the  masters  conceiving 
the  worse  for  being  taught,  and  more  apt  to  rebel,  (an  unhappy 
instance  of  which  we  had  fourteen  or  fifteen  years  ago,  in  the 
City  of  New- York,  when  and  where  there  was  an  insurrection 
of  the  negroes  in  which  several  white  people  were  destroyed, 
and  it  was  observed,  that  the  Catechumens  of  that  kind  or  the 
most  instructed  of  the  negroes  were  the  very  leaders  in  that  in- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  63 

surrection,a)  are  almost  an  invincible  bar  to  their  christian  in- 
struction. 

But  I  had  almost  forgot  one  thing,  which,  however,  is  of  great 
moment  in  this  case,  and  it  is  that  few  of  them  are  capable  of 
being  instructed.  I  have  now  two  negroes,  since  marriage,  one 
of  which  is  a  girl  about  nine  years  old,  whom  I  have  had  above 
twelve  months,  and  have  during  that  time  several  times  attempt- 
ed to  teach  her  to  read,  but  cannot  yet  make  her  know  her  al- 
phabet ;  nor  have  any  endeavours  hitherto  used  with  her,  which 
have  not  been  inconsiderable;  been  sufficient  to  make  her  num- 
ber ten,  tho'  she  was  born  in  this  country :  nor  can  a  fellow  that 
is  at  least  twenty,  whom  I  have  lately  bought,  tho'  he  has  been 
seven  years  in  this  country,  count  up  that  number,  but  notwith- 
standing what  hath  been  said,  I  hope  so  far  to  initiate  them  in 
the  christian  religion  as  to  fit  them  for  baptism. 

I  have,  in  obedience  to  our  principals,  publickly  exhorted 
those  that  have  negroes  to  instruct  them  in  the  principles  of  the 
christian  religion,  and  have  offered  my  assistance  therein,  but 
hitherto  with  little  success.  I  hope  I  shall  succeed  better  in 
some  future  attempt. 

It  is,  I  am  sensible,  expected  that  I  should  acquaint  the 
Honorable  Society  with  my  labours  and  the  success  of  them.  I 
preach  one  Sunday  at  Westchester,  another  at  Eastchester,  and 
this  I  do  twice  a  day  for  one  half  year,  but  then  during  the 
season,  (i.  e.)  when  the  days  are  short  and  weather  cold,  and  the 
people  are  obliged  in  the  morning  to  attend  their  cattle,  we  have 
divine  service  but  once,  and  that  is  about  the  middle  of  the  day. 
I  catechize  the  children  in  the  public  church  at  Eastchester,  and 
have  moved  for  ^it  at  Westchester,  but  have  not  yet  succeeded, 
the  master  there  not  encouraging  of  it. 


*  The  "  negro  plot"  of  April,  1712.  "  The  useful  course  of  Mr.  Neau's  labours, 
(says  Dr.  Hawkins)  was  temporarily  interrupted  in  1712,  by  an  insurrection  of 
the  negroes  in  the  city  of  New-York.  This,  though  soon  put  down,  created  a 
strong  prejudice  against  the  school,  which  the  masters,  who  were  for  the  most  part 
averse  to  their  being  instructed,  well  knew  how  to  turn  to  an  account.  There  was 
no  ground  for  it,  however ;  as  it  appeared  on  the  trial  that  but  one  of  all  Mr.  Neau's 
scholars,  and  that  one  unbaptized,  had  any  connexion  in  the  plot."  Note  inserted 
by  Editor. 


64  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

Since  I  came  here,  I  have  baptized  about  fifty  children,  besides 
two  grown  persons.  The  number  of  our  communicants  are 
about  thirty.  You  were  pleased  to  tell  me  that  the  people  of 
Setaucot,  besides  the  allowance  from  the  Society,  would  do 
something  among  and  of  themselves,  but  nothing  being  hitherto 
done,  I  desire  if  any  subscription  were  by  them  sent  to  the  So- 
ciety, and  such  I  am  told  was  sent ;  that  you  would  commu- 
nicate them  to  me,  and  in  so  doing  you  will  much  oblige, 

Rev.  Sir, 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

Thomas  Standard."  a 

In  the  spring  of  1735  occurred  an  unhappy  difference  between 
the  Rev.  Thos.  Standard  and  Mr.  Forster,  the  Society's  school- 
master.    It  appears,   from  a  letter  of  Governor  Cosby's  to  the 
Bishop  of  London  ;  that  when  Mr.Vesey,  the  Commissary,  "was 
last  at  Westchester,  (30th  of  June,  1735)  to  enquire  into  this  af- 
fair ;  a  complaint  was  exhibited  inform  against  Mr.  Standard,  by 
the  principal  men  of  his  congregation  :"b  to  which  Mr.  Stand- 
ard gave  in  his  answer,  on  the  Sth  of  October  following,  "to- 
gether with  certain  testimonials  and  affidavits  which  he  judged 
necessary  to  his  vindication.'"0     In  transmitting  copies  of  these 
proceedings,  upon  the  20th  of  October,  1735,  to  the  Bishop  of 
London,  and  through  him  to  the  Venerable  Society,  Mr.  Vesey 
observes  : — "  I  have  not  as  yet  served  Mr.  Standard's  accusers 
with  a  copy  of  his  answer  to  their  charges  against  him,  nor  ex- 
amined into  the  truth  of  the  allegations  ;  being  determined  to 
proceed  no  farther  in  a  matter  of  this  consequence,  without  my 
Lord's  and  the  Hon.  Society's  express  order  and  directions,  as 
also  hoping  that  they  will  be  pleased  favorably  to  accept  his 
answer,  seeing  he  has  promised  to  reform  himself  and  pursue  the 
great  end  and  design  of  his  mission  with  more  care  and  diligence 
for  the  time  to  come."0     Here  the  matter  seems,  fortunately  for 
both  parties,  to  have  ended,  as  no  further  proceedings  were  taken  : 


*  Hawks'  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  26  to  35. 
b  Ibid  vol.  ii.  80,  81. 
« Ibid  vol.  ii.  76,  77. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  65 

and  the  Society  still  continued  Mr.  Standard's  services  at  West- 
chester. 

In  1743,  Mr.  Standard  acquaints  the  Society,  "that  notwith- 
standing the  country  swarmed  with  vagrant  preachers,  called 
New  Lights,  he  had  a  more  numerous  congregation  than  usual) 
the  Lord's  day  preceding."* 

11  Upon  the  earnest  petition  of  the  churchwardens  and  vestry- 
men of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Westchester,  the  Propagation  So- 
ciety appointed  Mr.  Basil  Bartow,  school-master  of  the  parish  in 
1744."  The  King's  Commissary  transmitted  the  following  ac- 
count of  this  individual : — "  that  he  is  son  to  the  Rev.  John  Bar- 
tow, late  the  Society's  worthy  missionary  there.  He  is  a  person 
of  good  temper,  sober,  and  pious,  and  well  affected  to  the  present 
government ;  conformable  to  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the 
church,  and  exceedingly  well  qualified  for  the  instruction  of 
children."13 

The  Society's  abstracts  for  1745,  say  : — "Letters  from  New- 
York  bring  an  account  that  the  Churches  of  East  and  West- 
chester, under  the  care  of  Mr.  Standard,  are  in  a  peaceable  and 
growing  state."0 

The  following  notice  of  Mr.  Standard's  death,  and  the  ap- 
pointment of  his  successor,  appears  in  the  abstracts  for  1760  : — 
M  The  Society  being  informed  by  a  letter  from  the  churchwar- 
dens of  Westchester,  dated  August  the  first,  1760,  that  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Standard,  their  Missionary,  was  dead  ;  and  that  for  some 
time  before  his  death  he  had  been  incapable,  through  his  great 
age,  of  performing  his  office  in  the  church  of  which  he  had  been 
the  incumbent,  more  than  thirty-four  years  ;  and  they  earnestly 
praying  for  a  worthy  successor  to  him,  that  might  collect  the 
congregation,  then  scattered  as  sheep  having  no  shepherd  ;  the 
society  have  granted  their  petition,  by  the  appointment  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Milner,  a  native  of  that  Province,  and  son  of  a  gentle- 
man of  the  City  of  New-York,  to  the  mission  of  Westchester :  he 
coming  over  from  thence  recommended  to  the  Society  by  the 


•Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  from  1743  to  1744. 
fc  Ibid  from  1744  to  1745. 
•  Ibid. 

5 


66  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Rev.  Dr.  Johnson,  President  of  the  College,  and  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Barclay,  Rector  of  the  Church  of  New- York  ;  and  being  found 
worthy  of,  admitted  into  Deacon's  and  Priest's  orders  in  our 
church  ;  and  he  now  is  on  his  voyage  to  Westchester,  where  the 
Sociely  have  good  hopes  he  will  answer  the  good  character  trans- 
mitted to  them  of  him,  and  both  by  doctrine  and  example  pro- 
mote the  knowledge  and  practice  of  the  true  christian  religion.""' 
From  the  date  of  probate  of  Mr.  Standard's  will,  which  gen- 
erally points  out  the  period  of  the  deceased's  death,  it  is  probable 
that  he  died  at  Eastchester,b  in  the  early  part  of  January,  1760. 
His  body  lies  under  the  communion  table  in  St.  Paul's  Church  ; 
but  no  monument  marks  the  spot  where  the  ashes  of  this  ven- 
erable missionary  repose. 

THE  WILL  OF  THOMAS  STANDARD,  RECTOR  OF  THE  PARISH 
OF  WESTCHESTER. 

"In  the  Name  or  God,  Amen, — I,  Thomas  Standard,  Rector  of  the  Parish  of 
Westchester,  in  the  Province  of  New- York,  being  far  advanced  in  years,  but  of 
sound  disposing  mind  and  memory,  (thanks  be  to  God,)  do  make  my  last  will  and 
testament  in  manner  and  form  following  :  first  and  principally,  I  commit  my  pre- 
cious and  immortal  soul  into  the  merciful  hands  of  God  that  gave  it,  and  my  body 
to  the  earth,  to  be  decently  buried  at  the  discretion  of  my  executors,  hereinafter 
named,  nothing  doubting  but  I  shall  be  raised  again  by  the  mighty  power  of  God 
to  a  Glorious  Resurrection  thro'  Jesus  Christ  my  Blessed  Saviour  and  Redeem- 
er; and  as  touching  my  worldly  estate,  I  do  dispose  thereof,  as  follows:  my  Will 
is,  that  all  my  just  debts  and  funeral  charges  be  duly  paid  and  satisfied  in  some 
convenient  time  after  my  decease.  I  give  and  grant  unto  my  executors  hereinaf- 
ter named,  full  power  and  authority  to  sell  and  dispose  of  all  my  real  estate  what- 
soever and  wheresoever,  at  vendue  or  otherwise,  as  they  shall  think  fitt,  and  to 
make  and  execute  good  and  sufficient  deeds  and  conveyances  in  the  law  to  the 
purchasor  or  purchasors  thereof;  I  likewise  give  them  power,  and  order  them,  my 
executors,  to  sell  and  dispose  of  all  my  moveable  and  personal  estate  whatsoever 
and  wheresoever,  and  the  monys  arrising  from  the  sale  of  my  said  real  and  per- 
sonal estate,  together  with  all  the  monys  I  shall  leave  at  my  decease,  either  in  my 
house,  or  that  shall  be  due  to  me  on  bond  or  otherwise,  I  order  to  be  disposed  of  as 
follows :  and  I  do  give  and  bequeath  the  same  unto  and  amongst  my  nephews  and 

neices,  namely,  Thomas  Standard,  of  London,  barber,  son  of  my  brother 

and  to  George  Standard  and  Mary  Standard,  children  of  my  brother,  James  Stand- 
ard, late  of  Taunton,  in  Somersetshire,  in  Old  England,  dec'd,  and  to  William 


■  Printed  Abstracts  of  the  Ven.  Prop.,  Soc.  from  15  Feb.,  17G0,  to  20  Feb.  1761. 

b  The  property  opposite  the  present  Church,  upon  which  Mr.  Standard  resided 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  was  sold  by  Andrew  Clements,  one  of  his  executors,  and 
now  belongs  to  John  Alstyne,  Esq. — Editor. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  67 

Burridge  and  Sarah  Burridge,  children  of  ray  sister,  Sarah  Burridge  the  wife  ol 
William  Burridge,  of  Taunton  aforesaid,  equally  to  be  devided  amongst  them, 
share  and  share  alike,  each  an  equal  part  of  all  and  singular  my  said  estate,  and 
in  case  either  of  my  said  nephews  or  neices  should  happen  to  die  before  the  dis- 
tribution of  my  said  estate,  leaving  no  lawfull  issue,  then  I  order  the  share  of  him 
or  her  so  dying,  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  the  surviving  legatees  before 
named,  but  if  those  so  dying  shall  leave  lawfull  issue,  then  I  will  that  the  issue  of 
euch  legatee  so  dying,  shall  have  the  share  of  their  dec'd  father  or  mother.  Last- 
ly, 1  nominate,  constitute,  and  appoint  my  trusty  friends,  James  Bernard  and  An- 
drew Clements,  both  of  Eastchester,  in  the  Province  of  New- York,  gent's,  execu- 
tors of  this  my  last  will  and  testament,  hereby  making  void  all  former  wills  by  me 
made,  declaring  this  only  to  be  my  last  will  and  testament. 

In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal  in  Eastchester, 
the  first  day  of  February,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
fifty-eight. 

THOMAS  STANDARD,  [l.  s.] 

Signed  sealed,  published  and  declared  by  the  said  Thomas  Standard,  as  and  for 
his  last  Will  and  Testament,  in  the  presence  of  us,  who  subscribe  our  names  as 
witnesses  thereto,  in  the  testator's  presence. 

Thomas  Butler, 
Charles  Vincent, 
Lewis  Guion, 
Jno.  Bartow." 

"  I,  Thomas  Standard,  before  named,  do  hereby  further  declare,  that  notwithstand- 
ing I  have  given  all  my  estate  unto  my  nephews  and  neices,  to  witt: — Thomas 
Standard,  of  London,  barber,  George  Standard  and  Mary  Standard,  William  Bur- 
ridge and  Sarah  Burridge,  by  the  foregoing  will,  yet  it  is  my  will,  and  I  do  order 
and  direct  my  executors  before  named,  to  pay  to  the  heirs  of  William  Jesse,  of 
Westhatch,  near  Taunton,  the  sum  of  forty  pounds,  sterling  money  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, before  they  make  a  distribution  of  my  said  estate  amongst  my  nephews  and 
neices  before  named:  and  I  do  order  this  codicil  to  be  a  part  of  my  will,  and  to  be 
of  the  same  force  and  effect  as  if  the  same  had  been  inserted  in  the  body  of  the 
foregoing. 

In  Testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereto  set  my  hand  and  seal,  this  fifth  day  of 
May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty-eight. 

THOMAS  STANDARD,    [l.  s.] 

Signed,  sealed,  published  and  declared  by  the  said  Thomas  Standard,  as  and  for 
a  codicil,  in  the  presence  of  us  who  subscribe  our  names  as  evidences  thertof,  in 
the  testator's  presence. 

Jno.  Bartow, 
Charles  Vincent, 
Lewis  Guion, 
Thomas  Butler."* 

»  Transcribed  from  a  true  copy,  examined  with  the  original,  by  P.  Banyar,  D. 
Sec.    Date  of   Probate,  26th  Jan.,  17C0,  Surrogates  office,  N.  Y.  Vol.  xxi.  496. 


6S  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  state  of  the  parish,  about  eleven  months  after  Mr.  Stand- 
ard's death,  is  thus  described  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Barclay,  in  a  let- 
ter to  the  Secretary,  from  which  we  take  the  following  : — 


MR.  BARCLAY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

New- York,  Dec.  ]0th,  1760. 

"  Westchester  and  Rye  continue  still  vacant.  Religion  is  at 
the  lowest  ebb  in  yt  country,  and  unless  some  zealous  and  dis- 
crete clergyman  be  appointed  to  those  missions,  the  very  term  of 
it  will  soon  disappear — as  Westchester  is  a  wide  extended 
county,  three  missionaries  can  find  more  than  sufficient  employ- 
ment, and  I  know  of  no  place  where  they  can  be  more  service- 
able, provided  they  have  the  interest  of  religion  at  heart."a 

From  the  following  passage,  in  the  life  of  Samuel  Johnson, 
D.  D.,  by  Dr.  Chandler,  it  appears  that  as  early  as  1755,  the  So- 
ciety had  provided  an  assistant  and  successor  to  Mr.  Standard, 
in  the  person  of  Mr.  William  Johnson,  a  younger  son  of  the  Doc- 
tor'sj  but  unfortunately  their  plans  were  frustrated  by  his  early 
death.  "Mr.  William  Johnson  embarked  for  England,  Novem- 
ber the  8th,  1755,  with  a  view  of  returning  in  Holy  orders,  to 
assist  and  succeed  Mr.  Standard,  the  superannuated  missionary 
at  Westchester.  He  was  received  by  the  Society,  by  the  Bishops 
Sherlock  and  Seeker,  and  all  the  Doctor's  friends,  with  great  af- 
fection. They  recommended  him  to  the  University  of  Oxford, 
for  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts,  which  was  readily  conferred 
upon  him,  in  the  month  of  May,  and  soon  after  to  the  Univer- 
sity of  Cambridge,  where  he  was^admitted  ad  eundem.  He  had 
received  holy  orders  in  March,  and  had  preached  several  times 
in  and  about  London,  with  great  reputation.  But  soon  after  his 
return  from  Cambridge,  he  was  seized  with  the  small-pox,  which 
proved  fatal  to  him  on  the  20th  of  Jane,  1756.  He  was  buried 
in  Mr.  Morley's  vault,  in  St.  Mildred's  in  the  Poultry,  where 
there  is  a  handsome  marble  monument  erected  to  his  memory. 

»  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  282.     (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  69 

Thus  to  the  inexpressible  grief  and  disappointment  of  his  friends, 
and  to  the  great  loss  of  the  church  in  America,  was  this  amiable 
and  promising  youth  cut  off,  in  the  bloom  of  life,  making  the 
seventh  of  those,  who  in  their  voyage  to  England,  for  Holy  orders, 
from  the  northern  colonies,  had  perished  by  sundry  kinds  of 
death."  * 

Upon  the  25th  of  February,  1761,  the 


REV.  JOHN  M1LNER,  A.  M., 

was  licensed  as  a  Missionary,  to  the  Province  of  New-York,  by 
the  Bishop  of  London.  He  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel  Milner,  of 
New- York,  a  descendant  of  the  Mylners,  or  Milners,  of  Pugesey, 
in  Yorkshire.b  One  of  the  early  pioneers  of  the  family  in  this 
country,  was  Michael  Milner,  of  Lynn,  Mass.,  who  removed  to 
Long  Island,  in  1640. c  Mr.  Milner  was  born  in  this  county 
circ.  1738,d  and  graduated  at  Princeton  College,  New  Jersey,  in 
175^  •  In  1760  he  went  to  England  for  Holy  orders,  and  the 
same  year  was  ordained  Deacon  and  Priest,  by  Bishop  Sherlock. 
He  embarked  for  his  mission  sometime  in  March,  1761,  and  ar- 
rived home,  after  a  long  and  tedious  passage,  on  the  13  th  of  May, 
following.  Upon  the  12th  of  June,  of  that  year,  he  was  institu- 
ted and  inducted  Rector  of  the  Parish,  by  Lieutenant  Governour 
Colden,  in  the  following  manner : — 

LETTERS  OF  INSTITUTION  BY  LIEUT.    GOVERNOUR   COLDEN, 
TO  JOHN  MILNER,  CLERK. 


I,  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq.,  President  of  his  Majesty's  Council,  and  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  the  Province  of  New- York,  and  the  Territories  depending 


*  Life  of  Samuel  Johnson,  D.  D.,  by  Thomas  Bradbury  Chandler,  D.  D.,  for- 
merly Rector  of  St.  John's  Church,  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.  p.  96. 

b  The  arms  of  John  Mylner,  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Pugesey,  were  : — sable,  three 
bridle  bits  or.   Crest,  a  bridle  bit  or.   see  Berry's  Genealogies   of  Kent. 
c  Farmer's  Register. 

*  "Mr.   Milner  was  a  native  of  "Westchester  Colony,  his  father  residing  in 
N.  Y."   Fowler's  M.  S.  S.,  B.  iii.  573.  B.  v.  p.  965. 

*  List  of  Princeton  Graduates. 


70  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

thereon  in  America';  do,  in  pursuance  of  the  power  devolved  on  me,  collate,  in- 
stitute and  establish  you,  John  Milner,  Clerk,  Rector  of  (he  Parish  Church  at 
Westchester,  commonly  called  St.  Peter's  Church,  including  the  several  districts 
of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  in  the  County 
of  Westchester,  -within  this  government,  to  have  the  care  of  the  souls  of  the  par- 
ishioners of  the  said  church  and  district  aforesaid,  and  to  take  your  cure  and 
mine. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  prerogative  seal  of  the  Province  of  New- York, 
at  Fort  George,  in  the  City  oi  New- York,  the  thirteenth  day  of  June,  one  thou- 
sand seven  hundred  and  sixty-one. 

CADWALLADER  COLDEN.  • 

MANDATE  FROM  LIEUT.  GOYERNOUR  COLDEN  TO  INDUCT  JOHN 
MILNER,  CLERK,  INTO  THE  RECTORSHIP    OF    THE    PARISH 
CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

The  Honorable  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esquire,  President  of  his  Majesty's  Coun- 
cil, and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Province  of  New- York,  and  the  Territories 
depending  thereon  in  America  :  To  all  and  singular,  Rectors  and  Parish  Ministers 
whatsoever,  in  the  Province  of  New- York,  or  to  Samuel  Sneden  and  John  Hunt, 
the  present  churchwardens  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  at  Westchester,  in  the  county 
of  Westchester,  and  to  the  vestrymen  of  the  said  church,  and  to  each  and  every 
of  you,  Greeting  :  whereas  I  have  collated,  instituted  and  established  our  beloved 
in  Christ,  John  Milner,  Clerk,  to  be  Rector  of  the  Parish  Church  at  Westchester, 
commonly  called  St.  Peter's  Church,  including  the  several  districts  of  Westches- 
ter, Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and  the  Manor  of  Pelha  n,  in  the  county  of  Westchester, 
within  this  government,  vacant  as  is  said  by  the  natural  death  of  Thomas  Stand- 
ard, the  last  incumbent  there,  on  the day  of  January,  17G0,  with  all  its  rights 

and  appurtenances,  observing  the  laws  and  canons  of  right  in  that  behalf  required, 
and  to  be  observed ;  To  you  therefore,  jointly  and  severally,  I  do  commit,  and 
firmly  enjoining,  do  command  each  and  every  of  you  that  in  due  manner,  him, 
the  said  John  Milner,  or  his  lawful  proctor,  in  his  name  and  for  him,  into  the  real, 
actual,  and  corporal  possession  of  the  said  Rectory  and  Parish  Church  at  West- 
chester, including  the  districts  aforesaid,  and  of  all  its  rights  and  appurtenances 
whatsoever,  you  induct,  or  have  to  be  inducted,  and  him  so  inducted,  you  do  de- 
fend, and  of  what  you  shall  have  done  in  the  premises  thereof,  you  do  duely  cer- 
tify unto  me,  or  other  competent  Judge,  in  that  behalf,  when  thereunto  you  shall 
be  duely  required. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  prerogative  seal  of  the  Province  of  New- York, 
at  Fort  George,  in  the  City  of  New- York,  the  thirtieth  day  of  June,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-one. 

CADWALLADER  COLDEN.  *> 


•  Record  of  Commissions,  Secretary  of  State's  Office,  Albany,  vol.  v.  188-9. 
k  Ibid. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  71 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Milner,  the  Society's  Missionary  at  Westches- 
ter, in  his  letter  of  October  3d,  1761,  acquaints  the  Society,  "that 
after  a  long  and  dangerous  passage,  he  arrived  at  his  mission 
May  13th,  and  has  ever  since  preached  to  crow*..-,  d  audiences. 
His  mission,  he  says,  is  of  large  extent,  and  he  is  obliged  to  at- 
tend three  churches,  and  till  Mr.  Houdin  came  to  New  Rochelle, 
officiated  there  once  a  month.  One  of  his  churches  is  a  new 
edifice,  raised  by  the  generosity  of  Col.  Frederick  Philips,  who 
has  given  to  its  service  a  fine  farm  as  a  glebe,  consisting  of  two 
hundred  acres  ;  upon  which  he  purposes  to  build  a  good  house 
for  a  minister.  Mr.  Milner  has  baptized  forty-three  white  in- 
fants, and  four  adults,  twelve  black  children  and  three  adults. 
His  communicants  are  sixteen.  His  catechumens,  he  says,  have 
made  a  laudable  proficiency,  by  which  means  he  hopes  his  com- 
municants will  increase."81 

Mr.  Milner,  in  his  letter  dated  June  29th,  1762,  writes  : — «  yt 
since  his  arrival  at  his  mission,  which  is  fourteen  months,  he  had 
baptized  one  hundred  and  fourteen,  of  whom  forty  were  adults, 
viz:  thirty  whites  and  ten  blacks,  and  had  administered  the 
sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  four  times,  to  thirty  communi- 
cants, of  which  he  hopes  the  number  will  increase.  He  con- 
stantly attends  three  churches  in  three  different  townships, 
preaching  to  crowded  audiences  of  devout,  well-behaved  people. 
They  have  no  dissenters  among  them,  except  a  few  Quakers. 
He  adds,  that  the  school  is  still  vacant,  and  deprived  of  a  teach- 
er, but  petitions  the  Society  to  continue  their  bounty  to  some 
worthy  person  who  shall  be  chosen  schoolmaster;  as  the  school 
is  a  nursery  for  the  church,  and  of  great  service  in  these  parts, 
which  request  is  accordingly  granted."15 

In  a  letter  dated  June  the  4th,  1763,  Mr.  Milner  "expresses 
his  own  and  his  people's  sense  of  the  favour  done  them  in  giv- 
ing them  leave  to  choose  a  schoolmaster  for  this  place,  tho'they 
have  not  yet  been  able  to  find  a  person  properly  qualified  for 
that  office.     He  likewise  informs  the  society  that  he  has  pro- 


•  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc,  for  1762-3-4-5-G-7-8,  p.  51.  The 
New-York  Post  Boy  of  May  7,  1761,  says:— "the  Rev.  Mr.  Milner  has  arrived 
from  London  in  the  Ship  Oliver." 

*  Printed  Abstracts  of  Yen.  Prop.  Society,  for  17G2. 


72  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

cured  a  charter  for  St.  Peter's  Church,  which  will  greatly  promote 
the  interests  of  virtue  and  religion,  and  that  his  people  have 
purchased  a  house,  with  a  glebe  of  thirty  acres,  not  far  from  the 
church.  From  June  29,  1762,  to  the  date  of  this  letter,  he  has 
baptized  eighty  infants,  among  whom  were  three  blacks,  and 
seven  adults  ;  one  of  them  a  man  near  sixty  years  old,  who  is 
since  admitted  to  full  communion.  The  number  of  his  commu- 
nicants is  increased  to  fifty-three,  above  forty  have  been  added 
since  his  arrival  at  his  mission,  which  was  about  two  years  at 
the  time  of  his  writing."a 

The  following  petition  was  presented  for  the  charter  alluded 
to  in  the  above  letter  : — 

TO  THE  HONOURABLE  CADWALLADER  COLDEN,  ESQ..,  HIS  MA- 
JESTY'S LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOUR  AND  COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 
OF  THE  PROVINCE  OF  NEW- YORK,  AND  THE  TERRITORIES 
DEPENDING  THEREON  IN  AMERICA. 

The  petition  of  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  the  Borough  Town  of  Westches- 
ter, in  the  county  of  Westchester,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  in- 
habitants of  the  said  Town,  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law 
established ; 

Humbly  Sheweth  : 

That  for  many  years  past  there  has  been  a  church  in  the  said  town  of  West- 
chester for  the  administration  of  Divine  Service  according  to  the  use  of  the 
Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established,  but  that  for  want  of  proper  persons  to 
superintend  the  affairs  and  interests  of  the  same  with  legal  authority  ;  the  building 
is  now  considerably  out  of  repair,  and  pious  and  well  disposed  persons  are  dis- 
couraged in  their  designs  of  contributing  to,  and  establishing  proper  funds  for  the 
support  of  the  said  church  and  the  minister  thereof ;  for  remedying  which, 

Your  Petitioners  humbly  pray  that  your  honour  will  be  favourably  pleased  to 
grant  unto  them  his  Majesty's  Letters  Patent,  constituting  your  Petitioners,  or 
such  of  them  as  shall  be  thought  proper,  a  Body  Politic  and  Corporate,  for  the  pur- 
poses of  conducting  and  managing  the  affairs  and  interests  of  the  said  church  in 
such  manner  and  form,  and  with  such  rights,  priviledges  and  immunities,  as  were 
heretofore  granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Flushing,  in  Queen's  County, 
in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  or  with  such  other  rights,  priviledges, 
and  immunities,  as  shall  be  thought  reasonable  and  proper;  and  your  petitioners, 
shall  ever  pray. 

John  Milner,  Peter  De  Lancet, 

John  Bartow,  N.  Underbill, 

J.  Willett,  James  Graham, 

Lewis  Morris,  Jr.,  James  V.  CoRTLANDT.b 


•  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  for  1763. 

*  New- York  Col.  M.  S.  S.  (Colden,)  1761-2,  vol.  xc.  Sec.  of  State's  Office. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  WESTCHESTER.  73 

On  the  12th  of  May,  1762,  the  petition  was  read  and  granted 
in  the  following  manner  : — 

ROYAL  CHARTER  OF  ST.  PETERS  CHURCH,  WESTCHESTER. 

"  George  the  third,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland, 
king,  defender  of  the  faith,  &c,  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greeting: 
whereas,  our  loving  subject,  the  Rev.  John  Milner,  rector  of  St.  Peter's  church,  in 
the  borough  town  of  Westchester,  and  the  county  of  Westchester,  in  our  province 
of  New- York,  and  John  Bartow,  Isaac  Willett,  Lewis  Morris,  jr.,  Peter  de  Lan- 
cey,  Nathaniel  Underhill,  James  Graham  and  James  van  Cortlandt,  inhabitants 
of  the  said  borough  town  of  Westchester,  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England, 
as  by  law  established  ;  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  said  town,  in  communion  as  aforesaid,  by  their  humble  petition,  presented  on 
the  twelfth  day  of  May  last,  to  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Cadwallader  Colden, 
Esq.,  then  our  lieutenant  Governour  and  Commander-in-chief  of  our  Province  of 
New- York,  and  the  territories  depending  thereon  in  America ;  in  council  did  set 
forth,  that  for  many  years  past  there  had  been  a  church  in  the  said  town  of  West- 
chester, for  the  regular  administration  of  divine  service  according  to  the  use  of  the 
church  of  England,  as  by  law  established,  but  that  for  the  want  of  proper  persons 
to  superintend  the  affairs  and  interests  of  the  same  with  legal  authority,  the  build- 
ing was  considerably  out  of  repair,  and  pious  and  well  disposed  persons  were  dis- 
couraged in  the  designs  of  contributing  to  and  establishing  proper  funds  for  the 
support  of  the  said  church  and  the  minister  thereof ;  for  remedying  whereof,  the  said 
petitioners  did  humbly  pray  a  letter  patent,  constituting  the  said  petitioners,  or  such 
of  them  as  shall  be  thought  proper,  a  body  politick  and  corporate,  for  the  purpose 
of  conducting  and  managing  the  affairs  and  interests  of  the  said  church,  in  such 
manner  and  form,  and  with  such  rights,  privileges  and  immunities  as  were  hereto- 
fore granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Flushing,  in  Glueen's  county,  in  com- 
munion of  the  Church  of  England,  or  with  such  other  rights,  privileges  and  immu- 
nities as  should  be  thought  reasonable  and  proper ;  now,  we  being  willing  to 
encourage  the  pious  intentions  of  our  said  loving  subjects,  and  to  grant  this  their 
reasonable  request,  know  ye,  that  of  our  especial  grace,  certain  knowledge  and 
mere  motion,  we  have  ordained,  given,  granted  and  declared,  and  by  these  pres- 
ents for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  do  ordain,  give,  grant  and  declare,  that  they 
the  said  petitioners,  and  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  borough  town  of 
Westchester,  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established,  and 
their  successors,  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  said  borough  town  of  Westches- 
ter, in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  bylaw  established,  hereafter  shall 
be  a  body  corporate  and  politic,  in  deed,  fact  and  name,  by  the  name,  stile  and  title 
of  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  borough  town  of  Westchester,  in  communion 
of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established,  and  them  and  their  successors  by 
the  same  name.  We  do  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  really 
and  fully  make,  erect  and  constitute  one  body  politic  and  corporate,  in  deed,  fact 
and  name  forever,  and  we  give,  grant  and  ordain,  that  they  and  their  successors, 
the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  borough  town  of  Westchester,  in  communion  of 
the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established,  by  the  same  name  shall  and  may 
have  perpetual  successions,  and  shall  and  may  be  capable  in  law  to  sue  and  be 


74  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

sued,  implead  and  be  impleaded,  answer  and  be  answered  unto,  defend  and  be  de- 
fended in  all  courts  and  elsewhere,  in  all  manner  of  actions,  writs,  complaints, 
pleas,  causes,  matters  and  demands  whatsoever,  as  fully  and  amply  as  any  other 
our  liege  subjects  of  our  said  province  of  New- York  may  or  can  sue  or  be  sued, 
implead  or  be  impleaded,  defend  or  be  defended,  by  any  lawful  way  or  means 
whatsoever,  and  that  they  and  their  successors  by  the  isame  name  shall  be  forever 
hereafter  capable  and  able  in  the  law  to  purchase,  take,  hold,  receive  and  enjoy  any 
messuages,  tenements,  personal  and  real  estate  whatsoever  in  fee  simple  for  the 
term  of  life  or  lives,  or  in  any  other  manner  howsoever  for  the  use  of  the  said 
church;  and  also  any  goods,  chattels  or  personal  estate  whatsoever,  provided  al- 
ways that  the  clear  yearly  value  of  the  said  real  estate  (exclusive  of  the  said 
church  and  the  ground  whereon  the  same  is  built,  and  the  cemetery  belonging  to 
the  same,)  doth  not  at  any  time  exceed  the  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds  current 
money  ol  our  said  province,  and  that  they  and  their  successors  by  the  same  name 
shall  have  full  power  and  authority  to  give,  grant,  sell,  leave  and  dispose  of  the 
same  real  estate  for  life  or  lives,  or  year  or  for  ever,  under  certain  yearly  rents, 
and  all  goods  and  chattels  and  personal  estate  whatsoever,  at  their  will  and  pleas- 
ure, and  that  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  them  and  their  successors  to  have  and 
use  a  common  seal  ;  and  our  will  and  pleasure  further  is,  and  we  do  hereby  for  us, 
our  heirs  and  successors,  ordain  and  appoint,  that  there  shall  be  for  ever  hereafter 
belonging  to  the  said  church,  one  rector  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  es- 
tablished, duly  qualified  for  the  care  of  souls,  two  churchwardens  and  eight  ves- 
trymen, who  shall  conduct  and  manage  the  affairs  and  business  of  the  said  church, 
and  confer  in  manner  as  hereafter  is  established  and  appointed,  and  for  the  more 
immediate  carrying  into  execution  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  herein,  we  do  here- 
by assign,  constitute  and  appoint  Isaac  Willett  and  Nathaniel  Underbill,  the  elder, 
to  be  the  present  churchwardens,  and  Peter  de  Lancey,  James  Graham,  James 
van  Cortlandt,  Lewis  Moms,  John  Smith,  Theophilus  Bartow,  Cornelius  Willett 
and  Thomas  Hunt,  to  be  the  present  vestrymen  of  the  said  church,  who  shall  hold, 
possess  and  enjoy  their  respective  offices  until  Tuesday  in  Easter  week,  now  next 
ensuing,  and  for  the  keeping  of  the  succession  in  the  said  offices  our  royal  will  and 
pleasure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  establish,  direct  and  require,  that  on  the  said  Tues- 
day in  Easter  week  now  next  ensuing,  and  yearly  and  every  year  thereafter,  for 
ever  on  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  in  every  year,  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the 
borough  town  of  Westchester  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by 
law  established,  shall  meet  at  the  said  church,  and  there  by  the  majority  of  voices 
of  such  of  them  as  shall  so  meet,  elect  and  choose  two  of  their  members  to  be 
churchwardens,  and  eight  others  of  their  members  to  be  vestrymen  of  the  said 
church  for  the  ensuing  year,  which  said  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  so  elected 
and  chosen,  shall  immediately  enter  upon  their  respective  offices,  and  hold,  exer- 
cise and  enjoy  the  same  respectively,  from  the  time  of  such  elections  for  and  during 
the  space  of  one  year,  and  until  other  fit  persons  shall  be  elected  and  chosen  in. 
their  respective  places,  and  in  case  the  churchwardens  or  vestrymen,  or  either  of 
them,  by  these  presents  named  and  appointed,  or  which  shall  hereafter  be  elected 
and  chosen,  shall  die  or  remove  from  the  said  borough  town  of  Westchester,  be- 
fore the  time  of  their  respective  appointed  services  shall  be  expired,  or  refuse  or 
neglect  to  act  in  the  office  for  which  he  or  they  is  or  are  herein  nominated  and 
appointed  or  where  unto  he  or  they  shall  or  may  be  elected  and  chosen,  then  our 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  75 

royal  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  direct  and  ordain  and  require  the 
rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  borough  town  of  Westchester  in  communion  as 
aforesaid,  forthe  time  being,  to  meet  at  the  said  church  and  choose  other  or  others 
of  their  numbers  in  place  and  stead  of  him  or  them  so  dying,  removing  or  re- 
fusing to  act  within  thirty  days  next  after  such  contingency,  and  in  this  case  for 
the  more  due  and  orderly  conducting  the  said  elections,  and  to  prevent  any  undue 
proceedings  therein,  we  do  hereby  give  full  power  and  authority  to,  and  ordain 
and  require  that  the  rector  and  the  churchwardens  of  the  said  church  for  the  time 
being,  or  any  two  of  them,  shall  appoint  the  time  for  such  election  or  elections, 
and  that  the  rector  of  the  said  church,  or  in  his  absence  one  of  the  churchwardens 
for  the  time  being,  shall  give  public  notice  thereof  by  publishing  the  same  at  the 
said  church  immediately  after  divine  service,  on  the  Sunday  preceding  the  day 
appointed  for  such  elections,  hereby  giving  and  granting  that  such  person  or  per- 
sons as  shall  be  chosen  from  time  to  time  by  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  said 
borough  town  of  Westchester  in  communion  as  aforesaid,  or  the  majority  of 
such  of  them  as  shall  in  such  case  meet  in  manner  hereby  directed,  shall  have, 
hold,  exercise  and  enjoy  such  the  office  or  offices  to  which  he  or  they  shall  be  so 
elected  and  chosen  from  the  time  of  such  election  until  the  Tuesday  in  Easter 
week  thence  next  ensuing,  and  until  other  or  others  be  legally  chosen  in  his  or 
their  place  instead,  as  fully  and  amply  as  the  person  or  persons  in  whose  place 
he  or  they  shall  be  chosen  might  or  could  have  done  by  virtue  of  these  presents, 
and  we  do  hereby  will  and  direct  that  this  method  shall  for  ever  hereafter  be  used 
for  the  filling  up  all  vacancies  that  shall  happen  in  either  the  said  offices  between 
the  annual  elections  above  directed;  and  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  further  is, 
and  we  do  hereby  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant  that  as  well  the 
churchwardens  and  vestry,  or  those  present  nominated  and  appointed  as  such,  as 
shall  from  time  to  time  be  hereafter  elected  and  chosen  as  is  herein  directed,  shall 
have  and  they  are  hereby  invested  with  full  power  and  authority  to  execute  their 
several  and  respective  offices  in  as  full  and  ample  manner  as  any  churchwardens 
or  vestrymen  in  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britian  called  England,  or  in 
this  our  province  of  New- York,  can  or  lawfully  may  execute  their  said  respective 
offices  ;  and  further  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  by  these  presents 
for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give,  grant,  ordain  and  appoint,  that  the  rector 
and  churchwardens  of  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  any  two  of  them,  shall 
and  may  from  time  to  time  as  occasion  shall  require,  summon  and  call  together 
at  such  day  and  place  as  they  shall  think  proper  the  said  rector,  churchwardens 
and  vestrymen  for  the  time  being  to  meet  in  vestry,  giving  them  at  the  least  one 
day's  notice  thereof,  and  we  hereby  require  them  tc  meet  accordingly,  and  we  do 
hereby  give,  grant  and  ordain,  that  the  said  rector,  and  one  of  the  said  churchwar- 
dens for  the  time  being  at  least,  together  with  the  majority  of  the  said  vestrymen  of 
the  said  church,  for  the  time  being,  being  met  in  vestry  as  above  directed,  shall  for 
ever  hereafter,  have,  and  they  are  hereby  invested  with  full  power  and  authority 
by  a  majority  of  their  voices  to  do  and  execute  in  the  name  of  the  rector  and  in- 
habitants of  the  bo  ough  town  of  Westchester,  in  communion  of  the  Church  of 
England  as  by  law  established,  all  and  singular  powers  and  authorities  hereinbe- 
fore given  and  granted  to  the  said  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  borough  town  of 
Westchester  in  communion  of  the  church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  any 
wise  touching  or  relating  to  such  lands,  messuages,  tenements,  real  aud  personal 
estate  whatsoever,  as  they  the  said  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  borough  town  of 


76  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH. 

Westchester,  in  communion  as  aforesaid,  shall  or  may  acquire  for  the  use  of  the 
said  church,  and  also  in  like  manner  to  order,  direct,  manage,  and  transact  the 
general  interest,  business  and  affairs  of  our  said  corporation,  and  also  shall  have 
full  power  and  authority  in  like  manner  to  make  and  ordain  such  rules,  orders, 
and  ordinances  as  they  shall  judge  convenient  for  the  good  government  and  dis- 
cipline of  the  members  of  said  church,  provided  such  rules,  orders  and  ordinances 
be  not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britian  called 
England,  or  this  our  province  of  New- York,  but  as  near  as  may  be  agreeable 
thereto,  and  that  the  same  be  fairly  entered  in  a  book  or  books  to  be  kept  for  that 
purpose,  and  also  in  like  manner  to  appoint  the  form  of  the  common  seal  herein 
before  granted,  and  the  same  to  alter,  break,  and  remake  at  their  discretion,  and 
also  in  like  manner  tc  appoint  such  officer  or  officers  as  they  shall  stand  in  need  of, 
always  provided  that  the  rector  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being  shall  have  the 
sole  power  of  nominating  and  appointing  the  clerk  to  assist  him  in  performing  divine 
service,  as  also  the  sexton,  anything  herein  before  contained  to  the  contrary  in 
any  wise  notwithstanding,  which  clerk  and  sexton  shall  hold  and  enjoy  their  re- 
spective offices  during  the  will  and  pleasure  of  the  rector  of  the  said  church  for 
the  time  being,  and  in  case  of  any  avoidance  of  the  said  church  either  by  the 
death  of  the  rector  thereof  or  otherwise,  then  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  is  that 
the  powers  and  authority  hereby  vested  in  the  rector,  churchwardens,  and  vestry- 
men, in  vestry  to  meet  as  above  mentioned,  shall,  until  the  said  church  be  legally 
supplied  with  another  incumbent,  vest  in  and  be  executed  by  the  churchwardens 
of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  provided  always  they  have  the  concurrence 
and  consent  of  the  major  number  of  the  whole  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  for 
the  time  being,  in  any  thing  they  shall  in  such  case  do  by  virtue  hereof,  and 
further  we  do  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs,  and  successors,  give  and  grant 
unto  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  borough  town  of  Westchester  in  communion 
of  the  church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  and  their  successors  forever,  that 
lhis  our  present  grant  shall  be  deemed,  adjudged  and  construed  in  all  cases  most 
favourably  and  for  the  best  benefit  and  advantage  of  the  rector  and  inhabi- 
tants of  the  borough  town  of  Westcheser  in  communion  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land as  by  law  established,  and  that  this  our  present  grant  being  entered  on 
record  as  is  hereinafter  particularly  expressed,  shall  be  good  and  effectual  in  the 
law  to  all  intents,  constructions  and  purposes  whatsoever,  against  us,  our  heirs, 
and  successors,  according  to  our  true  interests  and  meaning  herein  before  declared, 
notwithstanding  the  not  reciting  or  mis-reciting,  not  naming  or  mis-naming  of 
any  of  the  aforesaid  franchises,  privileges,  immunities,  or  officers,  in  either  the 
premises  or  any  of  them,  and  although  no  writ  of  ad  quod  damnum  or  other  writs, 
inquisitions  in  precept  hath  or  have  been  upon  this  account,  had,  made,  or  prosecu- 
ted or  issued,  to  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular  the  privileges,  liberties,  ad- 
vantages, and  immunities  hereby  granted  or  meant,  mentioned,  or  intended  so  to 
be,  unto  the  said  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  borough  town  of  Westchester  in 
communion  of  the  church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  and  to  their  succes- 
sors forever.  In  testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made 
patent,  and  the  great  seal  of  our  said  province  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  and  the  same 
to  be  entered  on  record  in  our  Secretary's  office,  in  our  city  of  New- York,  in  one 
of  the  books  of  patents  there  remaining.  Witness,  our  trusty  and  well  beloved 
Robt.  Monckton,  our  captain  general  and  governor-in-chief  of  our  province  of 
New -York  and  the  territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  vice  admiral  of  the 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  77 

same  and  major-general  of  our  forces,  at  our  fort  in  our  city  of  New-York,  by  and 
with  the  advice  and  consent  of  our  governour  for  our  said  province.  Second  day 
of  December,  in  the  year  A.  D.  1762,  and  of  our  reign  the  third. 

Signed,         CLARKE." » 
[L.  ..] 

The  Society's  abstracts  for  1764,  say  : — "The  Rev.  Mr.  Mil- 
ner,  the  Society's  Missionary  at  Westchester,  in  his  letters  dated 
June  8th,  and  December  21st,  1764  ;  acquaints  the  Society  that 
he  has,  at  his  own  expense,  laid  out  a  sum,  amounting  to  two 
hundred  pounds  currency,  repaired  the  pacsonage  house,  built  a 
new  barn  and  out  houses,  (the  vestry  promising  to  reimburse 
him  as  soon  as  their  circumstances  will  permit,)  and  the  people 
of  Eastchester  have  laid  the  foundation  of  a  new  stone  church, 
seventy  one  feet  by  thirty-eight,  in  the  room  of  a  small  decayed 
wooden  building,  erected  in  the'  infancy  of  their  settlement.     Mr. 
Milner  has,  in  pursuance  of  the  powers  given  him  by  the  Soci- 
ety ;  appointed  Mr.  Nathaniel  Seabury,  a  son  of  the  late  worthy 
missionary  at  Hampstead,   to  be  schoolmaster  at  Westchester." 
The  churchwardens  of  Westchester  in  their  letter,  dated  July 
7th,  1764,  acquaint  the  Society  "  that  they  have  purchased  a  glebe 
of  near  thirty  acres,  with  a  house,  which,  when  they  have  re. 
paid  Mr.  Milner  the  expense  he  has  been  at,  will  cost  them,  in 
the  whole,  near  seven  hundred  pounds,  which  they  spend  with 
great  cheerfulness,  as  their  minister's  behaviour  has  very  much 
endeared  him  to  the  people  ;  and  his  diligence  has  been  attend- 
ed with  such  success,  that  whole  families  of  Quakers,  the  only 
dissenters  in  this  parish,  have  conformed  to  the  church.     Mr. 
Milner  has  baptized,  within  the  year,  seventy-two  whites,  and 
nineteen  black  infants,  and  has  fifty  communicants."  b 

Mr.  Milner  continued  his  services  in  the  parish,  until  the  fall 
of  1765,  as  appears  by  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  Mr. 
John  Bartow,  to  the  Bishop  of  London  : — 

Borough  of  Westchester,  in  the  Province 
of  New- York,  Oct.  15/A,  1765. 

"The  Honourable  Society's  Missionary  for  our  parish  of  West- 
chester has  left  us. —  I  expect   the  vestry  of  this  parish  will 

■  Alb.  Rec.  Book  of  Patents,  No.  xiii.  490. 

b  Printed  abstracts  of  Yen.  Prop.  Soc.  from  17th  Feb.  17C4,  to  15lh  Feb.  17G5. 


78  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

soon  address  the  Honourable  Society  for  the  continuance  of  their 
favours;  and  I  beg  your  lordship's  care  and  protection  over  us, 
and  that  you  will  assist  in  sending  a  faith  fill  minister  to  reside 
here.  I  suppose  our  vestry  may  nominate,  but  still  there  may 
want  inspection. '<a 

For  what  teason  Mr.  Milner  resigned  his  benefice,  does  not 
now  very  clearly  appear.  It  is  not  improbable,  however,  that 
the  large  sum  of  money  expended  by  him  on  the  glebe,  may  have 
had  some  connexion  with  his  leaving.  In  1768,  he  was  settled 
in  Viigiuia,  as  appears  from  the  following: — 

MR.   MILNER  TO   THE   SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 
Newport  Parish,  hie  of  Wight,  Fob.  3rd,  1768. 

Rev.  Sir  : 

"I  am  very  sorry  to  inform  you  that  the  people  of  Westchester 
pay  very  little  regard,  either  to  their  promises,  or  the  Society's 
expectations,  for  I  am  informed  by  my  lawyer  that  they  abso- 
lutely refuse  to  refund  me  one  penny  of  all  the  money  I  have 
expended  on  their  glebe,  which,  without  the  repairs  and  build- 
ings I  made,  would  have  been  entirely  useless.  I  am  now  set- 
tled in  Virginia,  where  the  church  is  established  in  reality,  and 
some  certain  provision  made  for  the  clergy,  &c."b 

Mr.  Milner  probably  died  at  Newport  Parish,  Va..  in  1775, « 
for  his  name  appears  among  the  deceased  clergy,  in  "a  list  of 
persons  licensed  to  the  Plantations,"  ending  Dec.  28th,  1777.d 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Fowler,  in  his  M.  S.  biographies  of  the  clergy, 


»  New-York,  M.  S.  S.,  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  330,  332.  (Hawks'.) 
b  New- York,  M.  S.  S.,  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  446.  (Hawks'.) 
«  The  Rev.  H.  T.  Wile,  xon,  the  present  Rector  of  the  Parish,  in  a  letter  to  the 
author,  dated  Smithfield,  Isle  of  Wight  Co.  Va.  January  7th,  1852,  says:  "The 
oldest  resident  (of  my  acquaintance)  in  the  County,  thinks  he  has  heard  of  Mr. 
Milner,  but  can  give  no  certain  or  reliable  information  about  him."   "  The  records 
of  the  Parish,  for  many  years  back,  have  been  destroyed  or  lost." 
*  Coll.  of  Prot.  Epis.  Hist.  Soc.  1851. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  79 

says  he  died  in  1765,  but  this  is  evidently  a  mistake,  as  the  fore- 
going letter  shows. a 

A  vacancy  of  nearly  a  year  occurred  before  the 

REV.  SAMUEL  SEABURY,  A.  M., 

was  appointed  to  the  mission.  In  17(56,  (says  Dr.  Hawkins,) 
"Mr.  Seabury  intimated  to  the  Society  his  wish  to  accept  the  of- 
fer of  the  mission  of  Westchester,  which  was  made  to  him  by 
the  churchwardens  and  vestrymen,  and  the  Society  consenting 
to  his  proposal,  he  removed  thither  at  the  end  of  the  year  17(56."b 
Mr.  Seabury  was  the  eldest  son  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury, 
a  descendant  of  John  Seaberry,c  of  Boston,  Mass.,  whose  family 
were   originally  seated   at  Porlake,  in    Devonshire,  England. 


•  Rev.  A.  Fowler,  M.  S.  Biog.  b.  iii,  p.  573. 

b  His.  Notices  of  (he  Miss,  of  the  Church  of  Eng.  in  the  North  American  Col- 
onies, by  Ernest  Hawkins,  B.  D. 

«  "  Samuel,  the  son  of  John  Seaberry  and  Grace  his  wife,  was  born  10°  Ol°) 
1639."  N.  E.  Hist,  and  Gen.  Reg.  vol.  ii.  401.  Samuel  Seabury,  M.  D.,  was  a  no- 
ted surgeon  at  Duxbury,  Mass.,  in  the  17th  Century.  His  son,  John  Seabury,  was 
born  in  1673,  and  died  at  Hempstead,  L.  I.  Dec.  17,  1759.  His  son,  Samuel,  was 
born  in  1706,  and  was  graduated  at  Harvard  University,  in  1724.  He  settled  at 
Groton,  Conn.,  as  a  Congregational  Minister,  and  is  said  to  have  married  Abi- 
gail Mumford.  From  intercourse  with  Dr.  McSparran  of  Narragansett,  Mr. 
Seabury  became  an  Episcopal  Clergyman,  and  was  appointed  by  the  Society,  in 
1728,  the  first  Missionary  of  St.  James's  Church,  then  at  New  London.  His 
wife  died  in  1731.  In  1733,  he  married  Elizabeth  Powell,  (she  died  Feb.  6,  1799, 
aged  87.)  the  daughter  of  Adam  Powell,  a  merchant  of  Newport,  R.  I.  and 
grand-daughter  of  Gabriel  Bernon.  In  1742  he  removed  to  Hempstead,  on  L.I. 
where  he  died  June  15, 1764.    The  following  is  the  inscription  on  his  tombstone  : 

"  Here  lyeth  interred  the  body  of  the 
[REV.     SAMUEL     SEABURY,    A.     M., 
Rector  ol  the  Parish  of  Hempstead, 
who  with  the  greatest  diligence  and  most  indefatigable  labour,  for  1 3  years 
at  New  London,  and  21  years  in  this  Parish,  having  discharged 
every  duty  of  his  sacred  function, 
Died  the  15th  of  June,  A.  D.  1764,  a?t5S. 
In  gratitude  to  the  memory  of  the  best  of  husbands,  his  disconsolate 
widow,  Elizabeth  Seabury,  hath  placed  this  stone." 

His  brother,  Capt.  David  Seabury,  (remarkable  for  his  great  bodily  strength,) 
died  at  the  same  place,  Nov.  11,  1750,  aged  52,  unmarried.  The  arms  of  the  Sea- 
bury's,  or  Sedborough's,  are  :— ar,  afesse  engr.  beiw.  three  ibexes,  passant  sa. 


80  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  ancient  orthography  of  the  surname  was  Sedborough,  until 
changed,  probably,  by  the  early  pioneers  of  the  family  in  this 
country.  Mr.  Seabury  was  born  in  Groton,  Connecticut,  No- 
vember 30th,  1729,a  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1748. 
Soon  after  completing  his  collegiate  education,  he  was  appointed 
catechist  by  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  his  father,  at  Huntingdon,  a  town  about  eighteen  miles 
distant  from  Hempstead.  In  1753,  the  Society  received  from 
Mr.  James  Wetmore,  Missionary  at  Rye,  a  testimonial  in  favour 
of  the  llev.  Samuel  Seabury,  jun..  whom  he  represented  as  "  a 
man  of  unblemished  moral  character,  sound  learning,  and  so 
prudent  behaviour,  that  he  would  prove  a  worthy  missionary. 
He  accordingly  recommended  him  for  the  vacant  cure  of  New 
Brunswick,  in  the  colony  of  New  Jersey.  The  Society  having 
now  for  some  years  had  knowledge  of  him  in  the  subordinate 
office  of  catechist,  immediately  gave  its  sanction  to  his  coming 
to  England  for  holy  orders."b 

He  entered  on  the  duties  of  his  mission  at  New  Brunswick,  in 
May,  1754,  and  in  1757  was  promoted  by  the  government  to  the 
living  of  Jamaica,  L.  I.c 

He  was  admitted,  instituted,  and  inducted  rector  of  this  parish 
by  Sir  .Henry  Moore,  upon  the  3d  of  Dec.  1766. 

GOVERNOTTR  MOORE'S  ADMISSION  OP  MR.  SEABURY    TO  BE 
RECTOR  OF  THE  PARISH  OF  WESTCHESTER. 

I,  Sir  Henry  Moore,  Baronet,  Captain  General,  and  Governor-in-Chief, 
in  and  over  the  province  of  New- York,  and  territories  depending  thereon,  in 

■  "  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel  and  Abigail  Seabury,  was  bom  in  Groton,  Nov. 
30th,  1729.  Samuel,  son  of  Samuel  and  Abigail  Seabury,  baptized  14th  Dec, 
1729,  by  Rev.  John  Owen,  of  Groton". — Extracts  from  Town  Minutes,  kindly 
f  urnished  by  Miss  Calkins. 

b  Hawkins  Missions.— The  Society's  abstracts  for  1753,  say:  "The  Society 
have  appointed  the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  son  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  the  So- 
ciety's Miss,  at  Hempstead  in  L.  I.,  in  the  Prov.  of  N.  Y,  to  be  their  Miss,  to 
New  Brunswick,  out  of  regard  to  the  request  of  the  inhabitanis,  and  to  the  uni- 
ted testimony  of  the  Episcopal  Clergy  of  New- York  in  his  favour;  as  a  youth 
of  good  genius,  unblemished  morals,  sound  principles  in  religion,  and  one 
that  had  made  as  good  proficiency  in  literature,  while  in  America,  as  the  present 
state  of  learning  there  would  admit  of;  and  he  was  gone  for  his  improvement 
to  the  Unversily  of  Edinburgh,  &c,  &c. 

e  Some  of  his  letters,  whilst  stationed  at  Jamaica,  maybe  found  in  the  3d 
vol.  of  the  Doc.  History  of  N.  Y. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  81 

America,  Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same ;  do  admit  you,  Samuel 
Seabury,  Clerk,  to  be  Rector  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Westchester,  commonly 
called  St.  Peter's  Church,  including  the  several  districts  of  Westchester,  East- 
chester,  Yonkers,  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  in  the 
said  province,  with  all  their  rights,  members  and  appurtenances.  Given  under 
my  hand  and  the  prerogative  seal  of  the  province  of  New- York,  the  third 
day  of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  jne  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
sixty -six. 

H.  MOORE. 

LETTERS  OF  INSITUTION  BY  GOVERNOUR  MOORE  TO  MR. 

SEABURY. 

I,  Sir  Henry  Moore,  Baronet,  Captain  General  and  Governour-in-Chief,  in 
and  over  the  province  of  New- York  and  the  territories  depending  thereon,  in  Amer- 
ica, Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same  ;  do  institute  you,  Samuel  Seabury 
Clerk,  Rector  of  the  Parish  Church  at  Westchester,  commonly  called  St.  Peter's 
Church,  including  the  several  districts  of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers, 
and  th.-  Manor  of  Pelham,  in  the  County  of  Westchester  in  the  said  province, 
to  have  the  care  of  souls  of  the  parishioners  of  the  said  parish,  and  take  your 
cure  and  mine.  Given  under  my  hand  and  the  prerogative  seal  of  the  province 
of  New- York,  this  third  day  of  December,  iu  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  sixty-six. 

H.  MOORE. 

MANDATE  FROM  GOVERNOUR  MOORE  TO  INDUCT  MR.  SEA- 
BURY  INTO  THE  RECTORSHIP  OF  THE  PARISH  OF  WEST- 
CHESTER. 

His  Excellency,  Sir  Henry  Moore,  Baronet,  Captain  General,  andGovernour 
in-Chief,  in  and  over  the  province  of  New- York,  and  the  territories  depending 
thereon  in  America,  Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  to  all  and  sin- 
gular, Rectors  and  Parish  Ministers  whatsoever  in  the  province  of  New- York,  or 
to  the  Church  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  Saint  Peter's  Church,  at  Westchester, 
in  the  coanty  of  Westchester,  and  to  each  of  you  greeting.  Whereas,  I  have 
collated,  instituted  and  established  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Samuel  Seabury,  Clerk, 
to  be  Rector  of  the  Parish  Church  at  Westchester,  commonly  called  St.  Peter's 
Church,  including  the  several  districts  of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and 
the  Manor  of  Pelham  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  within  this  Government, 
vacant,  as  is  said,  by  the  resignation  of  John  Milner,  Clerk,  the  last  incumbent 
there,  with  all  its  rights  and  appurtenances,  observing  the  laws  and  canons  of 
right  in  that  behalf,  required  and  to  be  observed.  To  you,  therefore,  jointly  and 
severally,  I  do  commit,  and  firmly  injoining  do  command  each  and  every  of  you 
that  in  due  manner  him,  the  said  Samuel  Seabury,  or  his  lawful  proctor  in  his 
name  and  for  him  into  the  real,  actual  and  corporal  possession  of  the  said  Rec- 
tory and  Parish  Church  at  Westchester,  including  the  districts  aforesaid,  and  of 
all  its  rights  and  appurtenances.  Whatsoever  you  induct,  or  cause  to  be  inducted 
and  him  so  inducted  you  do  defend,  and  of  what  you  shall  have  done  in  the 
premises  thereof,  you  do  duly  certify  unto  me,  or  other  competent  judge  in  that 

6 


g2  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

behalf,  when  thereunto  you  shall  be  duly  required.  Given  under  my  hand  and 
the  prerogative  seal  of  the  province  of  New- York,  at  Fort  George,  in  the  city  of 
New-York,  the  third  day  of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand 
sevea  hundred  and  sixty-six. 

H.  MOORE.* 


The  state  of  the  parish,  about  seven  months  after  his  induc- 
tion, appears  from  the  following  report  to  the  Society : — 

MR.  SEABURY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Westchester,  June  25th,  1767. 

Rev'd  Sir  : 

"  The  congregation  at  Westchester  is  very  unsteady  in  their 
attendance  ;  sometimes  there  are  more  than  the  church,  which 
is  a  small  old  wooden  building,  can  contain,  at  other  times  very 
few,  generally,  near  two  hundred.  The  communicants  are  few, 
the  most  I  have  had  has  been  twenty-two  ;  two  new  ones  have 
been  added  since  I  have  been  here.  At  Eastchester,  which  is 
four  miles  distant,  the  congregation  is  generally  larger  than  at 
Westchester.  The  old  church  in  which  they  meet,  as  yet,  is 
very  small  and  cold.  They  have  erected,  and  just  completed 
the  roof  of  a  large  well-built  stone  church,  in  which  they  have 
expended,  they  say,  seven  hundred  pounds  currency ;  but  their 
ability  seems  to  be  exhausted,  and  I  fear  I  shall  never  see  it  fin- 
ished. I  applied  last  winter  to  his  Excellency  Sir  Henry  Moore, 
for  a  brief  in  their  favour,  but  the  petition  was  rejected.  Since 
I  came  into  this  parish  I  have  preached  every  other  Sunday  at 
Westchester,  in  the  morning,  and  have  after  prayers  in  the  after- 
noon, catechised  the  children  and  explained  the  catechism  to 
them.  I  was  the  more  inclined  to  do  this,  as  they  have  never 
been  used  to  any  evening  service  at  all,  and  as  there  seemed  to 
be  but  little  sober  sense  of  religion  amongst  the  lower  sort  of 
people,  I  was  in  hopes  by  this  means  to  lay  some  foundation  of 

»  Albany  Book  of  Commissions,  vol.  v.  343. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  WESTCHESTER.  83 

religious  knowledge  in  the  younger  part  of  the  congregation.  I 
cannot  yet  boast  of  the  number  of  my  catechumens  which  is 
but  ten,  but  most  of  them  repeat  the  catechism  extremely  well. 
There  are  also  a  considerable  number  of  young  people  who 
attend  to  hear,  and  are  very  attentive.  I  should  be  very  much 
obliged  to  the  Society  for  a  number  of  Lewis's  catechisms,  and 
some  small  common  prayer  books,  and  such  other  tracts  as  they 
think  proper ;  these  things  presented  to  the  children  and 
younger  people  by  their  minister,  I  have  found  by  my  own  ex- 
perience, gives  them  impressions  in  his  favour,  and  dispose  them 
to  come  to  church  and  to  make  their  responses. 

At  Westchester  I  have  baptised  six  white  children,  and  one 
mulatto  adult ;  at  Eastchester,  eight  white,  and   at  New  Ro- 
chelle  seven  white  and  two  negro  children.     Before  I  left  Ja- 
maica, I  baptised  there  four  adults  and  three  infants.     1  have 
made  two  visits  there  since,  and  baptised  one  adult,  two  white 
children  and  three  black  ones  ;  and  I  must  do  the  people  at  New- 
town the  justice  to  inform  the  Society,  that  since  my  removal  they 
sent  me  £20  currency.   With  regard  to  the  income  of  this  parish  ; 
the  salary,  by  an  act  of  Assembly,  is  £50  currency.     The   ex- 
change from  N.  Y.  to  London  being  generally  from  £70  to  £80 
for  £100   sterling.     Burial  fees  there  are  here  none,  but  the 
more  wealthy  families  sometimes  give  the  minister  a  linen  scarf 
on  these  occasions.     Marriage  fees  from  one  to  four  Spanish 
dollars  ;  but  far  the  greater  number  go  to  an  Independent  teacher 
in  the  Parish  of  Rye,  because  his  ceremony  is  short,  and  they 
have  nothing  to  say.     Possibly  these  fees  may  amount  to  £5  or 
£6  a  year.     The  parsonage  house  is  so  much  out  of  repair  that 
it  will  cost  £100  currency  to  make  it  comfortable,  and  the  glebe 
has  cost  me  near  £20  to  repair  the  fences  ;  when  it  is  put  in 
good  order,  it  would,  I  believe,  rent  for  £25  per  annum.     Some 
of  the  principal  people  have  been  endeavoring  to  prevail  on  the 
congregation  to  make  up  the  deduction  from  the  Society's  salary 
by  subscription,  but  have  not  succeeded,  owing  to  the  great  ex- 
pense they  have  been  and  must  be  at  here  in  buying  and  repair- 
ing their  parsonage  house,  for  which  they  are  yet  in  debt  £100, 
and  to  the  necessity  they  will  shortly  be  under  of  rebuilding  their 
church  ;  and  the  Eastchester  people  are  exhausted  by  the  church 


84  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

they  have  undertaken  to  build.  I  must  defer  writing  concern- 
ing that  part  of  the  parish  which  is  under  Mr.  Munroe's  care, 
till  my  information  is  more  correct.  The  professed  Dissenters 
in  this  parish  are  not  numerous ;  some  Calvanistic  or  Presbyte- 
rian French  at  New  Rochelle,  a  few  Presbyterians  at  Eastches- 
ter,  and  some  Quakers  ;  at  Westchester  a  good  many  Quakers. 
But  there  are  many  families,  especially  among  the  lower 
classes,  who  do  not  even  pretend  to  be  of  any  religion  at  all."a 

"He  states  that  one  of  the  means  which  he  adopted  of  com 
municating  religious  instruction  to  the  people,  was  preaching  at 
funerals  in  the  more  remote  districts,  whereby  he  had  the  op- 
portunity of  addressing  those  who  could  not  be  brought  together 
at  any  other  time."b 

In  1768  Mr.  George  Youngsc  was  appointed  schoolmaster  at 
Westchester,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Nathaniel  Seabury,  the  rector's 
brother. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Seabury,  in  his  letter  of  October  10th,  1769, 
says  : — "The  people  become  gradually  more  devout,  and  read 
regular  in  the  public  worship.  That  he  had  taken  pains  with 
the  negro  slaves,  and  had  baptised  five  adults  with  them.  The 
school  advances,  and  the  children  make  a  due  proficiency  in 
learning."4 

The  following  year  he  thus  writes  to  the  Secretary  : — 

MR.  SEABURY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Westchester,  March  29th,  1770. 
Rev  Sir  : 
"  The  violent  party  heats  which  prevail  in  this  Colony  as  well 
as  in  the  others,  engross  at  present,  the  attention  of  the  people. 
But  I  think  yt  even  the  disturbances  will  be  attended  with 
some  advantage  to  the  interests  of  the  church.  The  useful- 
ness and  truth  of  her  doctrines  with  regard  to  civil  government, 

•  New-York  M.  S.  S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  429  to  432.  (Hawks'.) 
b  Hawkins'  Notices  of  the  Missions  of  the  Church  of  England,  &c. 
e  Mr  Youngs  continued  his  services  here  until  1772. 
d  Society's  Printed  Abstracts, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  85 

appear  more  evident  from  those  disorders  which  other  principles 
have  led  the  people  into.  This  is  particularly  remarked  and 
publicly  mentioned  by  the  more  candid  and  reasonable  people, 
who  seem  heartily  tired  with  the  great  clamours  for  liberty,  &c, 
as  it  appears  evident  yt  unbounded  licentiousness  in  manners 
and  insecurity  to  private  property,  must  be  the  unavoidable 
consequence  of  some  late  measures,  should  they  become  prev- 
alent. I  hope  the  time  is  not  far  off  when  these  matters  will 
be  settled  upon  a  firm  and  permanent  foundation;  but  how- 
ever yt  may  be,  I  am  confident  the  behaviour  of  the  church 
people,  considered  as  a  body,  has  been  such  as  has  done  her 
honour,  and  will  be  remembered  many  years  in  this  country 
with  approbation."  a  Nine  months  after  the  date  of  this  com- 
munication, we  find  him  again  addressing  the  Secretary,  as  fol- 
lows :— 

MR.  SEABURY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

;'  Westchester,  January  3d,  1771. 

Rev.  Sir  : 
"  The  state  of  this  mission  being  much  the  same  as  when  I 
last  wrote,  makes  it  unnecessary  for  me  to  say  much  on  yt  head. 
In  general,  I  must  observe,  yt  though  I  think  appearances  are 
something  mended  since  I  have  been  in  this  mission,  yet  my 
success  has  not  been  equal  to  my  first  expectations.  I  find  it 
very  difficult  to  convince  people  yt  religion  is  a  matter  of  any 
importance.  They  seem  to  treat  it  as  a  thing  unworthy  of  their 
attention,  except  on  some  particular  occasions,  when  they  are 
otherwise  disengaged.  Many  come  frequently  to  church  and 
yet  continue  unbaptised,  others  come  constantly  and  appear  to 
behave  devoutly,  and  yet  cannot  be  prevailed  upon  to  become 
communicants,  while  many  others  pay  not  the  least  regard  to 
religion  of  any  kind  nor  on  any  occasion.  I  shall,  however, 
endeavour  to  do  my  duty,  and  I  hope,  by  God's  blessing,  in  due 
time,  I  shall  see  some  good  fruit  from  my  labours."1* 


•  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  505.    (Hawks'.) 
k  New-York  M.  S.  S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  542.    (Hawks') 


\*s 


86  "      HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

During  the  year  1774,  he  had  baptised  forty-nine,  and  admit- 
ted three  new  communicants.11 

In  April,  1775,  he  signed  the  protest  at  White  Plains,  in  which 
he  and  others  declared  their  "  honest  abhorrence  of  all  unlawful 
Congresses  and  Committees,"  and  determination,  "  at  the  hazard 
of  our  lives  and  properties,  to  support  the  King  and  Constitu- 
tion ;  and  that  we  acknowledge  no  Representatives  but  the 
General  Assembly,  to  whose  wisdom  and  integrity  we  submit 
the  guardianship  of  our  rights,  liberties  and  privileges." 

The  following  letter  shows  that  some  of  the  clergy  had  found 
it  prudent  to  withdraw  from  the  surrounding  troubles  and  seek 
refuge  in  England  : — 

MR.  SEABURY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Westchester,  May  30th,  1775. 
Rev.  Sir: 
"  We  are  here  in  a  very  alarming  situation.  Dr.  Cooper  and 
Dr.  Chandler  have  been  obliged  to  quit  this  community  and 
sailed  for  England  last  week.b  I  have  been  obliged  to  retire  a 
few  days  from  the  threatened  vengeance  of  the  New  England 
people  who  lately  broke  into  this  Province.  But  I  hope  I  shall 
be  able  to  keep  my  station.  The  charge  against  the  clergy  here 
is  a  very  extraordinary  one — that  they  have,  in  conjunction  with 
the  Society  and  the  British  Ministry,  laid  a  plan  for  enslaving 
America.  I  do  not  think  that  those  people  who  raised  this 
calumny,  believe  one  syllable  of  it;  but  they  intend  it  as  an 
engine  to  turn  the  popular  fury  upon  the  church,  which,  should 
the  violent  schemes  of  some  of  our  Eastern  neighbours  succeedj 
will  probably  fall  a  sacrifice  to  the  persecuting  spirit  of  Inde- 
pendency. I  am,  &c., 

Samuel  Seabury."c 

•  Printed  Abstracts  of  the  Ven.  Society 

b  In  the  old  Wilkins  mansion  on  Castle  Hill  Neck,  Westchester,  is  still  shown 
the  place  where  Doctors  Cooper,  Chandler  and  Seabury  managed  to  secrete 
themselves  for  some  time,  notwithstanding  the  most  minute  and  persevering  search 
was  made  for  them  ;  so  ingeniously  contrived  was  the  place  of  their  concealment 
in  and  about  the  old-fashioned  chimney.  Food  was  conveyed  to  them  through 
a  trap-door  in  the  floor. 

•  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  571.    (Hawks.') 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  87 

The  calumny  against  the  clergy,  resembles  the  false  charge 
brought  against  the  Episcopacy  itself  at  this  period,  viz  : — that 
it  was  "oue  of  those  causes  which,  as  much  as  anything  else, 
conduced  to  the  horrors  of  the  revolution."  It  is  almost  need- 
less to  say  that  both  were  unfounded.  The  real  cause  of  the 
American  Revolution  was,  whether  the  Parliament  of  Great 
Britain  had  any  power  or  authority  to  tax  Americans,  without 
their  consent.  This  was  the  foundation  of  the  whole  dispute. 
But  surely  the  New  England  people  had  no  right  to  complain, 
much  less  to  invade  a  neighbouring  province  by  foroe,  when 
they  practiced  upon  all  other  denominations  this  taxation  with- 
out representation.*- 

The  following  letter  from  Mr.  Seabury  to  his  friend  Isaac 
Wilkins,  Esq.,  (afterward  rector  of  this  parish,)  dated  May 
30th,  1775,  is  preserved  among  the  papers  of  the  Wilkins 
family  : — 

My  ever  Dear  Wilkins  : 
"  I  hope  you  are  safe  in  London  ;  may  every  blessing  attend 
you.  Mrs.  Wilkins  was  well  last  evening.  Isabella  has  had  a 
rash,  but  is  better.  Everything  here  quiet.  Reported  that  two 
thousand  men  are  ready  in  Connecticut  for  any  operation  for 
which  they  may  be  wanted  in  this  province.  The  Asia  is 
arrived — reported  that  she  has  demanded  a  supply  of  provis- 
ions for  Boston,  and  that  it  is  agreed  that  they  shall  be 
fnrnished.  The  associations  went  on  very  heavily  at  W.  C, 
very  few  signed.  The  Provincial  Congress  have  agreed  to  raise 
money  upon  the  province — as  the  representatives  of  the  people. 
Mr.  L.  Morris  has  published  his  remarks  upon  the  protest,  &c, 
poor  me— you  are  safe — I  think  I  am  too.  If  I  knew 
anything  worth  writing,  I  would  write  it.     I  think  the   present 


•  This  was  precisely  what  the  Puritans  objected  to  in  the  English  Parliament, 
at  the  very  moment  they  were  doing  it  themselves,  and  for  which  they  revolted. 
(See  Chapin's  Puritanism,  p.  128.)  The  Society's  Abstracts,  for  1775,  say: — 
"Mr.  S3abury,  has  been  obliged  to  retire  from  his  mission  at  Westchester, 
but  has  not  been  able  to  secure  himself  from  the  ill  effects  of  the  present  distrac- 
tions. Mr.  Gott,  the  schoolmaster,  a  very  attentive  man  in  his  office,  has  been 
obliged  to  quit  the  school  on  account  of  ill  health." 


88  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

scene  will  not  last  long.  Drs.  Cooper  and  Chandler  sailed  last 
week.  Tell  Dr.  Cooper  I  received  his  letter,  and  I  will  write  to 
him.  When  I  can  collect  anything  worthy  your  notice  you 
shall  have  it.     God  bless  you,  says  your  ever  affectionate 

Seabury." 

The  Society's  abstracts  for  1776,  say: — ;' In  the  course  of 
this  year  two  letters  have  been  received  from  the  worthy  Mr. 
Seabury.  In  the  former,  dated  November  14th,  1775,  he  writes, 
that  his  two  congregations,  though  less  numerous,  were  then 
pretty  steady  in  their  attendance,  and  that  between  Christmas 
and  mid-summer  he  had  baptised  twenty-seven  white,  and  four 
black  infants."a  The  latter  gives  the  following  account  of  his 
seizure  and  detention: — 

MR.  SEABURY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
[extract.] 

Westchester,  January,  13/A,  1776. 
Rev.  Sir  : 
"  Since  my  last  letter  I  have  been  seized  by  a  company  of  dis- 
affected people  iu  arms,  from  Connecticut,  in  number  about  one 
hundred,  and  carried  to  New  Haven.  This  happened  on  the 
22d  of  November,  and  I  was  kept  under  a  military  guard  till 
the  23d  of  December.  The  particulars  of  this  affiir  I  will 
send  you  when  I  find  a  safe  opportunity.  On  the  2d  day  of 
this  mouth  I  returned  to  my  family.  How  long  I  shall  be  able 
to  continue  here  is  very  uncertain  ;  but  1  am  determined  to  stay 
as  long  as  I  am  permitted  to  discharge  the  duties  of  my  mission, 
whatever  personal  inconvenience  it  may  subject  me  to.  My 
private  affairs  have  suffered  much  on  this  occasion.  I  was  com- 
pelled to  bear  my  expenses,  and  that  has  not  been  less 
than  ten  pound  sterling.  My  papers  were  all  examined,  and 
are  thrown  into  such  confusion  that  I  can  find  none  of  my 

•Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Society,  16  Feb.  1776,  to  21st  Feb.  1777. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  80 

memoranda  relating  to  my  mission  or  correspondence  with  the 

Society. 

I  am.  Rev.  Sir,  &c, 

Samuel  Seabury.'" 

This  invasion  of  the  territory  of  New- York,  and  violent 
removal  of  its  citizens,  called  forth  a  strong  remonstrance  from 
the  Provincial  Congressb  to  Governor  Trumbull,  who  demanded 
Mr.  Seabury's  'immediate  discharge.'  The  more  especially  as, 
considering  his  ecclesiastic  character,  which,  perhaps  is  vener- 
ated by  many  friends  to  liberty.0  The  severity  that  has  been 
used  towards  him  may  be  subject  to  misconstructions,  prejudicial 
to  the  common  cause.  Mr.  Seabury  was  accordingly  set  at 
liberty  and  returned  to  his  parish.d 

"In  many  places  the  clergy,  (says  the  Rev.  M.  H.  Henderson, 
to  whom  we  are  indebted  for  the  materials  of  this  sketch,)  nat- 
urally viewed    with  a  distrustful  eye  in  consequence  of  their 


•  New  York  M.  S.  S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  575,  576.  (Hawks'.) 
"In  177G,  s-ays  Dr.  Hawkins,  Mr.  Seabury  was  seized  by  a  party  of  i he  disaf- 
fected in  arms,  and  carrie  d  eff  to  eN  Haven ;  all  his  papers  being  examined  for 
proof  against  him.  After  describing  this  outrage,  he  says:  '  God's  Providence 
will,  I  hop3,  protect  His  church  and  clergy  in  this  country,  the  disorder  and  con- 
fusion of  which  are  beyond  description." ' — Hawkin's  Missions. 

b  The  petition  of  the  Rev.  S.  Seabury,  presented  to  the  Governor  of  Conn,  in 
1775,  for  relief  and  protection,  shows  that  he  received  anything  but  gentle  treat- 
ment at  the  hands  of  his  enemies.  He  defended  himself  against  their  charges, 
and  pronounced  his  arrest  "  a  high  infringement  of  that  liberty  for  which  the  sons 
of  America  were  then  so  nobly  struggling."  Whatever  might  have  been  his 
private  views  and  feelings,  he  seems  to  have  been  a  conscientious  and  industrious 
man  ;  more  heedful  of  the  welfare  of  his  flock  and  family,  than  of  his  country's 
political  relations.  Among  other  things,  he  stated  in  his  petition,  "  that  to  dis- 
charge his  debts,  he  had  opened  a  grammar  school,  and  had  made  £100,  York 
money,  the  previous  year,  and  was  in  a  fair  way  of  discharging  his  debts, — that 
he  had  five  young  men  from  the  Island  of  Jamaica,  one  from  Montreal,  four  chil- 
dren of  a  gentleman  then  in  England,  with  others  in  his  care  from  New-York 
and  the  country, — that  it  might  be  impossible  to  recover  his  school,  in  which  case 
he  should  be  entirely  at  the  mercy  of  his  creditors." — Extract  from  an  address 
delivered  in  St.  Peter's  Church,  Cheshire,  Conn.  Oct.  1844,  by  Rev.  C.  E.  Beards- 
ley,  A.  M.  The  site  of  Mr.  Seabury's  grammar  school,  is  still  called  Seabury  Hill. 

•  Journal  of  N.  Y.  Prov.  Con.  vol.  i,  214,  492. 

a  Doc.  History  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  iii,  1062. 


90  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

connection  with  the  Church  of  England,  were  obliged  to  leave 
their  stations,  suffering  at  times  the  utmost  indignity  and 
cruelty. 

One  of  the  missionaries*  writes,  Nov.  25,  1776  : — "  I  have 
been  obliged  to  shut  up  my  churches,  to  avoid  the  fury 
of  the  populace,  who  would  not  suffer  the  liturgy  to  be 
used,  unless  the  collects  and  prayers  for  the  king  and  royal 
family  were  omitted,  which  neither  my  conscience  nor  the 
declaration  I  made  and  subscribed  when  I  was  ordained,  would 
allow  me  to  comply  with :  and  although  I  used  every  prudent 
step  to  give  no  offence,  even  to  those  who  usurped  authority  and 
rule,"  (allowance  will  of  course  be  made  for  such  expressions.) 
"  and  exercised  the  severest  tyranny  over  us,  yet  my  li/e  and 
property  have  been  threatened,  upon  mere  suspicion  of  being 
unfriendly  to  what  is  called  the  American  cause."  While  all 
the  clergy  who  were  unwilling  to  espouse  the  side  of  the  colo- 
nies "  were  marked  out  for  infamy  and  insult,  the  missionaries 
in  particular,  suffered  greatly."  "  Some  of  them,"  he  adds, 
"have  been  dragged  from  their  horses,  assaulted  with  stones 
and  dirt,  ducked  in  water,  obliged  to  flee  for  their  lives;  driven 
from  their  habitations  and  families,  and  laid  under  arrest  and 
imprisonments.  These  are  the  bitter  though  legitimate  fruits 
of  civil  war.  All  suffered  by  their  mutual  hostility.  Brother 
was  arrayed  against  brother,  and  the  father  against  his  son. 
God  grant  that  such  scenes  may  never  be  enacted  again." 

I  refer  to  these  facts,  only  to  show  the  peculiar  difficulties 
with  which  our  church  had  to  struggle  from  its  connection  with 
the  Church  of  England.  Inconsequence  of  this,  many  congre- 
gations were  scattered  to  the  winds  ;  and  it  was  not  until  years 
after  the  war,  that  regular  organization  and  discipline  were 
restored. 

Bound,  as  were  the  clergy,  by  a  declaration  solemn  as  an 
oath,  that  they  would  use,  in  all  their  public  services,  "the 
prayer  book  of  the  Church  of  England,"  in  which  were  prayers 
appointed  for  the  king  and  royal  family,  "many  able  and 
worthy  ministers,"  says  Bishop  White,  in  his  Memoirs  of  the 


■  See  Thomas  Bartow.    See  Hawkins,  pp.  139-40. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  91 

Church,  a  "  from  conscientious  scruples  ceased  to  officiate," 
when  such  prayers  could  no  longer  be  used.  "  Owing  to  these 
circumstances,"  he  adds,  "  the  doors  of  the  far  greater  number 
of  the  Episcopal  churches  were  closed  for  several  years." 
Whatever  we  may  think  of  the  conduct  of  these  clergy  in 
other  respects,  we  cannot  but  honour  their  purity  of  motive  and 
honesty  of  principle,  thus  maintained  and  manifested  by  the 
sacrifice  of  all  that  men  hold  dear. 

Yet  there  were  others,  and  among  them  the  illustrious 
individual  to  whom  I  have  just  referred,  who  saw  the  necessity 
of  the  case,  and  threw  the  whole  weight  of  their  influence  upon 
the  side  of  the  colonies.  Prominent  among  these  were  the 
clergy  of  Philadelphia.  Let  not  the  Protestant  Episcopalian 
forget  that  Bishop  White,  "the  father  of  his  church,"  was  one 
of  the  first  chaplains  of  Congress,13  and  invoked,  as  such,  the 
divine  blessing  upon  their  earliest  deliberations  :c  nor  let  him 
forget  that  Washington  himself,  "the  father  of  his  country," 
that  great  and  good  man  worshipped  at  her  altars,*1  attending 
regularly  upon  her  solemn  services.  No; — let  him  not  forget 
that  while  her  clergy  were  thus  hampered  and  distracted  from 
the  very  nature  of  their  position,  her  laity  in  the  middle  and 
southern  States  lent  a  most  efficient  aid  in  their  country's  hour 
of  need.  Among  the  stout  hearts  and  true,  that  stood  up  man- 
fully for  their  country's  rights,  who  more  prominent  than 
Alexander  Hamilton,  and  John  Jay,  and  Richard  Henry  Lee,e 

*  White's  Memoirs,  p.  20. 

k  Mr.  Duche,  also  an  Episcopal  clergyman,  was  the  first  chaplain  of  Congress. 
This  was,  however,  in  Sept.  1774,  before  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He 
was  appointed  on  the  nomination  of  Samuel  Adams.  John  Adams  wrote  on  the 
occasion  in  a  letter  to  his  wife,  "  Mr.  Duche  is  one  of  the  most  ingenious  men,  and 
best  characters,  and  greatest  orators  in  the  Episcopal  order  on  this  continent,  yet 
a  zealous ''riend  of  liberty  and  his  country."  The  remarkable  fitness  of  the  ser- 
vice of  the  day  was  noted  by  all.  It  contained  the  35th  Psalm.  See  letter  of  John 
Adams,  18th  September,  1774.    Also,  N.  Y.  Review,  Jan.  1842. 

•Bishop  White  was  appointed  Chaplain  in  Sep.,  17*7,  at  the  gloomiest  period 
of  the  war,  just  before  intelligence  was  received  of  the  surrender  of  General 
Burgoyne.     He  did  not  hesitate  a  moment  to  accept. 

Bishop  Provoost,  also,  was  a  warm  friend  of  the  Colonies. 

i  Washington  was  a  communicant  of  the  Church. 

•  Richard  Henry  Lee,  while  President  of  Congress,  wrote  a  letter,  dated  New- 
York,  Oct.  24th,  1785,  to  John  Adams,  Minister  then  to  Great  Britain,  earnestly 
requesting  his  agency  in  securing  the  Episcopate.— White's  Memoirs,  p.  325. 


92  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

and  Benjamin  Franklin, a  and  Patrick  Henry.b  and  Anthony 
Wayne,  and  Generals  Moultrie,  Sumpter  and  Morgan  ?  Who, 
after  Washington,  contributed  more  to  secure  the  independence 
of  these  colonies  ?  And  yet  these  men  were  by  profession  or 
preference  connected  with  the  Church  of  England.  All  the  pa- 
triots from  South  Carolina  and  Virginia,0  what  were  they  but 


*  The  following  remarkable  language,  Dr.  F.  uses  in  a  letter  to  his  daughter 
Sarah.  Under  what  other  circumstances  would  he  be  more  likely  to  express 
the  genuine  feelings  of  his  heart,  than  to  his  own  daughter,  from  whom  he  was 
about  to  be  separated  by  distance  and  the  perils  of  the  deep?  He  writes  from 
Reedy  Island,  in  the  Delaware,  Nov.  8th,  1764,  on  his  way  to  England: 

"  Go  constantly  to  Church,  whoever  preaches.  The  act  of  devotion  in  the 
common  prayer  book  is  your  principal  business  there;  and  if  properly  attended 
to,  will  do  more  towards  amending  the  heart  than  sermons  generally  can  do.  For 
they  were  composed  by  men  of  much  greater  piety  and  wisdom  than  our  common 
composers  of  sermons  can  pretend  to  be ;  and  therefore  I  wish  you  would  never 
miss  the  prayer  days.  Yet  I  do  not  mean  that  you  should  despise  sermons  even 
if  the  preachers  you  dislike  ;  for  the  discourse  is  often  much  better  than  the  man, 
as  sweet  and  clear  waters  come  through  very  dirty  earth.  I  am  'he  more  particu- 
lar on  this  head,  as  you  seemed  to  express,  a  little  before  I  came  away,  some 
inclination  to  leave  our  church,  which  I  would  not  have  you  do." 

That  Dr.  Franklin  was  not  only  a  true  Philosopher,  but  something  of  a  Church- 
man, too,  no  one  can  question  after  reading  the  above.  It  is  not  pretended  that 
he  was  what  is  called  "a  religious  man;"  or  that  he  could  not,  at  times,  speak 
in  a  vein  of  pleasantry,  which  seemed  inconsistent  with  any  decided  religious 
attachments.  (Letter,  July  18th,  1784,  from  Passey  to  Messrs.  Weems  and  Gant.) 
But  that  he  had  deeper  religious  feelings  and  more  decided  religious  preferences, 
than  the  world  knew  of  may  not  be  doubted.  His  well  known  motion  in  Con- 
gress, 26th  May,  1781,  to  arrest  a  stormy  debate,  for  the  purpose  of  prayer, 
shows  his  sentiments  in  regard  to  the  power  of  religion  over  others.  His  ex- 
pression on  his  dying  bed,  to  Dr.  Shippen,  of  Philadelphia,  "  it  is  safer  to  be- 
lieve," indicates  its  power  over  himself. — N.  Y.  Review,  Life  and  writings  of 
John  J.iy,  Oct.  1841.— Dr.  McVickar. 

b  The  seizure  and  sale  of  churches  and  glebes  by  the  Legislature  of  Virginia 
must  remain  a  sad  blot  upon  the  history  of  that  State.  Patrick  Henry  resisted 
this  act  for  many  years,  and  it  was  not  until  after  his  decease  that  it  was  ob- 
tained. "He  had  to  resist,"  says  Bishop  White,  (Memoirs,  p.  80,  to  which  the 
reader  is  referred,)  "  through  many  years  the  united  efforts  of  men  hostile  to  re- 
vealed religion,  and  men  who  cherished  rancorous  hatred  to  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land in  particular." 

c  Virginia  was  favored  at  an  early  period  with  the  ministrations  of  the  Church 
of  England.  Rev.  Robert  Hunt  landed  in  Virginia  with  a  party  of  settlers,  in 
1607.  He  was  "  an  English  clergyman,  whose  Christian  meekness,  cheerfulness 
and  perseverance,  under  the  severest  trials,  were  a  signal  blessing  to  the  colony." 
Hawkins',  p.  3.    It  is  an  interesting  fact,  in  connection  with  the  republicanism 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  93 

Episcopalians?     Nay,  all  from  the  South,  with  but  few  excep- 
tions,11 and  with  them  a  multitude  in  the  North. b 

Such  a  fact  as  this  but  ill  comports  with  the  assertion  some- 
times recklessly  made,  that  our  church  is  anti-republican.  She 
hath  borne  her  full  share  both  in  the  anxious  deliberations  of 
the  council-board,  and  the  hard  toil  of  the  battle-field. c     At  this 


of  our  Church,  that  Virginia,  an  Episcopal  colony,  should  have  commenced  her 
career  wiih  "universal  suffrage  and  equality."  See  Burke's  Virginia,  vol  I. 
p.  302.     Coil's  Puritanism,  p.  77,  4G3. 

■  "I  am  well  satisfied  that  a  large  proportion  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  Revo, 
lution  were  Churchmen.  Of  the  Southern  men  who  figured  at  that  period,  prob- 
ably not  one  was  otherwise  than  an  Episcopalian,  except  Charles  Carroll. 
Those  from  South  Carolina  and  Virginia  were  so  to  a  man.  Such  as  Rutledge, 
Laurens,  Moultrie,  Gadsden,  Siampter,  the  Pinckneys,  Madison,  Monroe,  Mar- 
shall, Richard  Henry  Lee,  Gen.  Harry  Lee,  Washington,  Wythe,  General  Mor- 
gan, Pendleton,  President  Nelson,  the  Pages,  the  Harrisons,  the  Randolphs,  Pey- 
ton and  all  the  rest.  ******* 
At  that  period  there  was  scarcely  any  dissenters  at  the  South,  from  Maryland, 
down.  At  the  time  of  the  Revolution  the  congregation  of  Dr.  Davies,  a  Presby- 
terian minister  in  Hanover,  Virginia,  was,  1  believe,  the  only  considerable  one 
of  that  denomination  in  the  State." — Letter  from  Rev.  Dr.  Ducachet  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

The  writer  of  the  above  letter,  than  whom  no  man  was  more  familiar  with  his 
country's  history,  speaks  in  some  cases  from  personal  knowledge — of  Rutledge, 
for  instance,  Monroe  and  Marshall,  the  Pinckneys  also,  and  of  Moultrie  and 
Gadsden ;  the  last  two  he  has  seen,  in  his  early  youth,  standing  at  the  doors  of 
the  church,  in  their  military  costume,  with  boxes  in  their  hani.s,  as  the  custom 
was,  for  collections.  Marshall  was  one  of  Bishop  Moore's  parishioners.  His 
devout  and  humble  demeanor  attracted  universal  admiration.  He  contributed 
liberally  towards  the  establishment  of  the  Virginia  Seminary.  Judge  Story,  in 
his  Eulogy  on  Chief  Justice  Marshall,  says,  "Among  Christian  sects,  he  per- 
sonally attached  himself  to  the  Episcopal  Church.  It  was  the  religion  of  bis 
early  education,  and  became  afterwards  that  of  his  choice." 

b  There  were,  Chancellor  Robert  R.  Livingston,  Gouverneur  Morris,  Lewis 
Morris,  William  Duer,  James  Duane,  Francis  Lewis,  Robert  Troup,  in  New- 
York,  Gen.  Lord  Stirling  of  New  Jersey,  wiih  Robert  Morris  of  Philadelphia, 
whose  services,  vital  as  they  were  to  the  cause  of  the  colonies,  will  never  be  for- 
gotten, and  besides  a  host  of  others  in  both  cities. 

In  regard  to  Robert  Morris,  an  intelligent  lady,  who  enjoyed  with  him  an  in- 
timate personal  acquaintance,  states  that  he  married  Bishop  White's  sister,  and 
attended  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia.  It  is  well  known  that,  by  his  great  wealth, 
he  sustained  the  cause  of  the  colonies  ia  the  hour  of  their  greatest  peril.  This 
lady  often  heard  him  speak  of  his  having  been  a  "  blue-coat  boy,"  in  his  early 
youth.     The  members  of  a  charity  school  in  Westminster,  were  so  called. 

e  Bishop  White  states  the  remarkable  fact  that  the  General  Convention  of 
1783,  comprising  a  fair  delegation  from  seven  States,  "consisted,  as  to  the  lay 
part,  principally  of  gentlemen  who  had  been  active  in  the  late  Revolution," — 


94  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

very  moment,  a  large  number  of  our  highest  officers,  both  upon 
land  and  sea,a  who  hold  their  lives  at  their  country's  bidding, 
adhere  to  her  faith,  and  discipline,  and  worship,  as  the  religion 
of  their  choice.     The  Episcopal  Church  anti-republican  !  that 
contributed  as  much  if  not  more  than  all  others — the  above 
names  being  the  witness — to  the  independence  of  these  United 
States !b     The  Episcopal   Church   anti-republican!    so    ready 
with  her  best  life-blood  to  uphold  the  honor  and  the  interests  of 
our  common  country  !     The  Episcopal  Church  anti-republican  ! 
that  daily  seeks  God's  richest  blessing  upon  the  highest  officer 
of  the  Republic,  with  "  all  that  are  in  authority,"  and  her  chosen 
legislature  "in  Congress  assembled!"0     This   church  anti-re- 
publican, whose  whole  form  of  government  is  most  strikingly 
analogous  to  that  of  the  State  1     Where  else  are  the  checks  and 
balances  of  ecclesiastical  legislation  so    wisely  ordered   and  so 
well   arranged?     .Where   else   is   the   religions   denomination 
among  us,  where  the  laity,  as  such,  have  a  negative  upon  the 
acts  of  the  clergy,  so  that  no  legislative  enactment    can  have 
place  without  their  concurrence  ?d  Surely  naught  but  ignorance 
or  misapprehension  could  bring  the  charge. 


while  the  application  for  the  Episcopacy  then  made,  was  to  "  the  very  power  we 
had  been  at  war  with." — Mem.  p.  99. 

Ought  not  the  original  document  to  be  published  with  the  names  of  all  the 
members  of  that  convention  signed  thereto,  which  the  Bishop  writes  he  had  in 
his  possession  1  It  is  possible  also,  that  a  majority  of  the  signers  of  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence  were  Episcopalians.  An  intelligent  correspondent  writes 
that  18  were  certainly,  and  was  inclined  to  believe  that  15  more  were  so.  The 
whole  number  was  51. 

»  A  letter  from  an  officer  of  the  Navy,  now  before  the  writer,  contains  the  fol- 
lowing passage  :  "  I  have  been  in  the  Navy  upwards  of  twenty-eight  years,  and 
have  formed  the  opinion  that  the  majority  of  the  officers  are  Episcopalians,  or 
prefer  that  mode  of'  worship." 

b  It  will  be  observed  that  reference  is  made  not  to  numbers,  but  to  names,  and 
the  exalted  character  and  eminent  services  of  individuals. 

«  See  Book  of  Common  Prayer.  The  conservative  and  anti-revolutionary 
tendency  and  influence  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  as  a  general  rule,  is  manifest, 
as  from  other  things — so  especially  from  this — her  constant  daily  prayer  to  God 
for  "the  powers  that  be." 

d  The  author  is  not  aware  that  so  republican  a  feature  is  found  in  any  of  the 
denominations  around  us.  The  Episcopal  Methodist  denomination  admits  no 
representation  at  all  of  her  laity, — (Decanver's  Catalogue,  p.  4, — while  among 
others,  he  believes  a  majority  of  the  clergy  may  carry  any  favorite  measure. 


AND  CHURCH  OF   WESTCHESTER.  95 

Did  space  permit,  it  would  be  easy  to  show  how  fallacious 
was  all  reasoning  a  priori,  on  such  a  subject.  Where  might 
we  expect  to  find  republicanism  in  forms  more  pure  and  perfect, 
than  among  the  men  who  profess  to  have  fled  from  civil  and 
religious  oppression,  and  to  have  given  up  every  worldly  tie  for 
conscience'  sake  ?  And  yet  among  whom  of  all  the  multitudi- 
nous denominations  that  cover  our  wide-spread  land,  were  found 
more  striking  instances  of  intolerance  and  persecution  than 
among  the  Puritans  of  New  England,  excellent  and  noble  men 
as  they  were.    At  the  same  time  it  is  a  recorded  fact,  that  a  large 


The  Bishops  too,  are  elective  officers.  They  hold  indeed  their  office  for  life,  or  rather 
for  "  good  behaviour."  But  that  such  a  tenure  is  consistent  with  republican  insti- 
tutions, is  manifest  from  the  fact,  that  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  as  well 
as  others,  hold  their  offices  by  the  same  tenure.  At  any  rate,  if  it  be  not  re- 
publican, it  is  apostolic. 

"  In  the  American  Episcopal  Church,  the  body  which  exercises  her  legislative 
power,  is  constituted  analagous  to  the  paramount  civil  body  of  the  United  States 
— the  Congress.  This  consists  of  two  houses,  of  Senators  and  Representatives 
of  the  several  States,  the  concurrence  of  both  being  necessary  to  laws.  And  the 
supreme  authority  of  the  American  Episcopal  Church  is  vested  in  like  manner, 
in  a  General  Convention  of  two  houses,  with  co-ordinate  powers — the  House  of 
Bishops  of  the  several  dioceses — and  the  house  of  Clerical  and  Lay  Deputies 
from  each  diocese,  chosen  by  the  clergy  and  representatives  of  the  congrega- 
ions  in  diocesan  conventions ;  the  consent  of  both  houses  being  necessary  to  the 
acts  of  the  Convention  ;  and  the  clergy  and  laity  having  a  negative  upon  each 
other.  The  government  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in  America,  is  perhaps  even 
more  republican  than  that  of  the  Presbyterian  denomination.  The  legislative 
bodies  of  the  latter  are  not  divided  as  that  of  the  General  Convention  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church  is,  into  two  houses,  similar  to  the  civil  legislatures,  nor  in  their 
ecclesiastical  assemblies,  have  the  laity,  voting  as  a  distinct  body,  a  complete 
negative  upon  the  acts  of  the  clergy,  as  they  have  in  all  the  legislative  bodies  of 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church." 

"  There  is  also  a  close  analogy  between  the  civil  government  and  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  single  and  responsible  Executives;  the 
President  and  Governors  in  the  one ;  and  in  the  other  the  Bishops  of  the  several 
dioceses,  originally  elective  officers,  and  amenable  by  impeachment  of  the  Diocesan 
Conventions  to  the  General  Council  of  Bishops."— Bishop  Hobart,  "  United 
States  of  America  compared  with  England,"  p.  29.  Bishop  White  expresses  the 
same  conviction. — Memoirs,  p.  74, 

See  Puritanism,  by  Thomas   W.  Coit,  D.  D.     It  is  well  known  that  a  distin- 
guishing feature  of  the  Newark  settlement,— as  well  as  of  the  Puritan  settle 
ments  of  New-England, — was  that  no    man    might  be  elected  to  any  civil  or 
military  office,  nor  have  any  vote  at  such  election,  unless  he  was  a  member  of 
Congregational  Church.    See  East  Jersey  under  the  Proprietaries,  p.  44. 


96  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

number  of  their  descendants,  Congregationalists  by  profession, 
espoused  the  cause  of  the  mother  country  in  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  and  expatriated  themselves.* 


»  The  time  has  arrived  when  allowances  can  be  or  should  be  made,  for  prefer- 
ences and  prejudices,  the  growth  of  education  and  associations.  The  object  of 
the  author  was  not  to  draw  comparisons,  but  to  show  that  the  opprobrium,  if  any, 
yet  attaches  to  those  who  quietly  retired  from  America,  and  were  in  consequence 
designated  as  royalists  and  refugees,  should  not  rest  exclusively  upon  Episco- 
palians, and  also  that  there  was  no  natural  or  necessary  connection  between  any 
set  of  religious  tenets,  and  the  principles  of  republican  liberty.  A  reference  to 
the  acts  of  proscription  or  confiscation  of  the  various  states  will  show  the  fact 
conclusively.  Over  three  hundred  individuals,  many  of  them  heads  of  families, 
were  banished  by  one  act  of  the  State  of  Massachusetts, — more  than  sixty  of  them 
being  Graduates  of  Harvard  University, — among  whom  were  undoubtedly  many 
never  conceived  to  have  favored  Episcopacy.  In  New  Jersey,  among  those  whose 
property  was  declared  forfeited, — in  the  county  of  Essex  alone,  there  were  more 
than  one  hundred, — the  names  of  many  can  be  found  who  had  no  connection  with 
the  Episcopal  church. 

The  reader  interested  in  the  subject  is  referred  to  Eliot's  Biography,  Lincoln's 
History  of  Worcester,  and  other  local  annals,  and  particularly  to  "Judge  Cur- 
wen's  Journal  and  Letters."  Judge  C, — himself  a  descendant  of  an  early  emi- 
grant to  New-England,  and  the  son  of  a  dissenting  clergyman, — was  not  con- 
nected in  any  way  with  the  Church  of  England  ;  and  his  Journal  abounds  in 
references  to  his  countrymen  with  whom  he  associated  in  England  as  a  refugee. 
A  large  number  of  these,  says  Mr.  Ward,  "  were  Congregationalists." — He 
mentions  the  names  of  seventeen  of  the  more  prominent. 

In  July,  1775,  Curwen,  then  in  London,  says,  "there  is  an  army  of  New- 
Englanders  here  ;"  and  in  June,  1776,  he  mentions  "  six  vessels"  arriving  at  one 
time  "laden  with  refugees,"  via  Halifax. 

So  Samuel  Quincy,  writing  Jan.  1st,  1777,  says,  "  I  see  many  faces  I  have  been 
used  to ;  America  seems  to  be  transplanted  to  London."  This  family,  (the 
duincy's,)  was  one  of  the  most  ancient  and  distinguished  in  Massachusetts. 
— Eliot's  Biog.Dictionary. 

But  perhaps  the  most  direct  testimony  may  be  found  in  the  History  of  the  Early 
Missions  of  the  Church  of  England,  by  Rev.  Ernest  Hawkins,  to  which  refer- 
ence has  been  already  made,  wherein  are  copious  extracts  of  letters,  written  by 
men  who  lived  at  the  time  and  upon  the  spot.  Mr.  Breynton,  writing  from 
Halifax,  in  a  letter,  dated  Jan.  2d,  1776,  says  expressly  in  regard  to  "  the  wealthier 
among  the  loyalist  families  of  New  England,  who  sought  refuge  in  Halifax," 
that  "  many  of  them  were  dissenters."  Hawkins,  p.  371.  While  in  a  letter  the 
year  after,  he  reports  the  landing  of  another  body  of  refugees,  "  about  seventeen 
hundred  loyalists  from  Boston." 

"  It  appears,"  adds  Mr.  Hawkins,  "that  by  the  end  of  1783,  not  fewer  than 
thirty  thousand  from  New- York,  and  other  parts  of  the  States,  had  arrived  in 
Nova  Scotia."  "  Many  of  them,"  he  adds,  "were  members  ol  the  Church  of 
England  ;"  of  course,  then,  many  of  them  were  not. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  97 

It  was  an  object  of  anxious  solicitude  with  the  church  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  to  secure  the  succession  of  the  Episcopacy, 
and  thus  perpetuate  that  ministry  which  she  believed  was  es- 
tablished by  the  apostles,3-  and  designed  to  be  permanent  and 
universal.  And  what  she  sought  for  herself  she  freely  accorded 
to  others.  "  When  in  the  course  of  Divine  Providence,"  such 
is  her  moderate  and  well  considered  language,  "  these  American 
states  became  independent  with  respect  to  civil  government, 
their  ecclesiastical  independence  was  necessarily  included;  and 
the  different  religious  denominations  of  Christians  in  these 
States  were  left  at  full  and  equal  liberty  to  model  and  organize 
their  respective  churches  and  forms  of  worship  and  discipline, 
in  such  manner  as  they  might  judge  most  convenient  for  their 
future  prosperity,  consistently  with  the  constitution  and  laws  of 
their  country ."b 

This  object  was  ultimately  obtained  by  the  consecration  of 
Bishops  White  and  Provoost,  the  one  of  Pennsylvania,  the  other 
of  New- York,  at  the  chapel  of  the  Archiepiscopal  Palace,  at 
Lambeth,  on  the  4th  of  February,  1787.  The  Archbishop  of 
York,  the  Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells,  and  the  Bishop  of  Peter- 
borough, joined  with  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  in  the  impo- 
sition of  hands. c     Bishop  Seabury  had  been  consecrated  two 


The  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  G.  A.  Ward,  Esq.,  the  intelligent  editor 
of  "  Curwen's  Journal  and  Letters,"  will  be  read  with  interest,  as  the  opinion 
of  a  man,  than  whom  probably  no  one  has  given  the  subject  more  attention : 

"  It  is  an  unquestionable  fact,  that  very  many  Congregationalists,  descendants 
of  the  Puritans,  expatriated  themselves  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution, 
some  espoused  the  cause  of  our  mother  country,  and  entered  into  her  service : 
others  were  refugees  from  a  dislike  to  rebellion,  and  in  the  firm  belief  that  their 
course  exhibited  a  love  of  law  and  order,  and  would  eventuate  for  the  best  interest 
of  their  native  land.  A  large  number  of  Curwen's  friends  were  Congregational- 
ists ;  and  I  have  no  doubt,  that  of  the  Massachusetts  loyalists,  ten  were  of  this 
persuasion,  to  one  of  the  Episcopal  Church." 

*  It  is  evident  unto  all  men  diligently  reading  Holy  Scripture  and  ancient 
authors,  that  from  the  Apostles'  time,  there  have  been  these  orders  of  Ministers 
in  Christ's  Church,— Bishops,  Priests,  and  Deacons."  Br  ok  of  Common  Pray- 
er.   Preface  to  form  for  ordaining  Deacons. 

b  Preface  to  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer. 

e  Bishop  White's  Memoirs,  p.  13G. 

7 


98  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

or  three  years  before,  by  the  "non-juring  bishops  of  Scotland."* 
Dr.  James  Madison  was  shortly  after  consecrated  in  England 
as  Bishop  of  Virginia.  The  succession  of  the  Episcopacy  thus 
introduced,  was  secured  by  the  consecration  of  others  for  the 
various  States.  We  have  now  t\venty-nineb  of  that  order  in  our 
American  church.6 

It  is  an  interesting  fact,  and  somewhat  important  too,  as  show- 
ing the  sentiments  of  one  of  our  most  distinguished  states- 
men, in  regard  to  the  anti-republican  tendency  of  Episcopacy, 
that  the  successful  result  of  the  application  was  owing  in  a 
great  measure  to  the  agency  of  John  Adams,  our  minister  at 
the  time,  at  the  Court  of  St.  James.  A  Congregationalist  him- 
self, from  the  very  heart  of  Puritanism,  yet  can  he  write  in 
words  like  these : d  "There  is  no  part  of  my  life  on  which  I 
look  back,  and  reflect  with  more  satisfaction,  than  the  part  I 
took,  bold  and  hazardous  as  it  was  to  me  and  mine,  in  the  in- 
troduction of  Episcopacy  into  America." 

The  first  General  Convention  that  met  with  a  Bishop  at  its 
head,  assembled  2Sth  July,  1789.  Measures  were  immediately 
taken  for  the  proper  organization  and  government  of  the  church, 
and  from  that  time  to  this,  she  has  grown  and  strengthened 
until  a  large  proportion  of  the  most  intelligent  and  influential 
citizens  of  these  United  States  are  enrolled  among  her  mem- 
bers."6 

We    return  to  the  history  of    this    parish.     The  venerable 

»  Bishops  Kilgour,  Petrie  and  Skinner,  Nov.  14,  1784.  The  non-juring 
Bishops,  although  severed  from  the  State  in  the  Revolution  of  1G88,  yet  carefully 
preserved  the  succession. 

b  There  are  now  (in  1853)  thirty  five,  including  three  missionary  Bishops. 

c  Known  unto  God  are  all  his  ways,  and  he  seeth  not  as  man  seeth.  The 
American  Revolution  was  a  link  in  the  chain  of  his  providences,  by  which  his 
mighty  plan  is  bound  together.  Certainly  we  have  reason  to  rejoice  that  we  are 
cut  loose  from  the  benumbing  influence  of  "State  protection."  The  writer 
heartily  coincides  with  these  sentiments,  expressed  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  S.  Farmar 
Jarvis  of  Conn.  He  cannot  but  regad  ii.  further,  as  a  providential  circumstance, 
situated  as  the  church  then  was,  that  the  Episcopate  was  not  obtained  till  after 
the  war.     Bishop  White  manifestly  held  this  opinion.      Mem.,  pp.70,  71,  72,  73. 

d  Dr.  Wilson's  Memoir  ot  Bishop  White,  letter  29th  Oct.,  1814. 

•A  Centennial  Discourse,  delivered  in  Trinity  Church,  Newark,  N.  J.,  Feb. 
22d,  1816,  by  the  Rev.  Matthew  H.  Henderson,  M.  A.,  Rector. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  WESTCHESTER.  99 

Society's  Abstracts  for  1777,  say  : — "  Three  letters  have  been 
received  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury ;  the  first  of  them,  dated 
December  29th,  1776,  gives  an  account  of  the  great  distresses 
lie  had  encountered,  greater  than  he  can  describe,  greater,  he 
believes,  than  he  could  well  support  again.     In  the  preceding 
year,  he  had    been  carried   away  by   force  into   Connecticut. 
After  his  return  to  his  mission,  he  continued  tolerably  quiet  for 
a  few  weeks  ;  but  after  the  King's  troops  had  evacuated  Boston, 
he  was  perpetually  insulted  by  the  rebels,  on  their  way  from 
thence  to  New- York.     This  lasted  about  a  month.     After  the 
Declaration  of  Independency,  an  edict  was  published  at  New- 
York,  making  it  death  to  support  the  King  or  any  of  his  ad- 
herents.    Upon  this  he  shut  up  his  church;  fifty  armed  ^en 
being    sent  into    his    neighborhood.     On   the    arrival    of    the 
British  troops  at  Staten  Island,  and  of  two  ships  of  war  in  the 
iSound,  the  coast  was  constantly  guarded,  and  the  friends  of 
Government  seized,  so  that  his  situation  became  critical,  as  he 
was  particularly  obnoxious  to  the  rebels.     After  their  defeat  on 
Long  Island,  a  body  of  them  fixed  themselves  within  two  miles  of 
his  house,  so  that  he  thought  it  prudent  to  confine  himself;  for 
it  appeared  he  would  otherwise  be  seized,  frequent  enquiries 
being  made   for  him,  and  his  house  being  examined  by  the 
rebels. 

On  the  1st  of  September,  it  happened  that  they  withdrew 
their  guard  from  a  neighboring  point  of  land  on  the  coast,  and 
the  guard  that  was  to  replace  it,  mistaking  their  route,  gave 
him  an  opportunity  of  effecting  his  escape  to  Long  Island. 
The  rebels,  finding  they  had  missed  him,  vented  their  rage  on 
his  church  and  his  property,  converting  the  former  into  an  hos- 
pital, tearing  off  the  covering  and  burning  the  pews;  and 
damaging  the  latter  to  the  value  of  three  hundred  pounds  cur- 
rency. 

He  accompanied  the  army  into  Westchester,  and  returned  for 
one  week  to  his  family,  but,  on  the  army  quitting  those  parts, 
he  thought  it  prudent  to  retire  with  his  family  to  New-York. 
He  assures  the  Society  that  he  did  not  leave  his  mission  so  long 
as  it  was  practicable  to  stay."a 

•  Prfntdl  Abstracts  of  Yen.    Prop.  Soc. 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

In  his  second  letter,  dated  29th  of  March,  1777,  after  alluding 
to  the  death  of  Mr.  Babcock,  he  says : — "  With  regard  to  my 
own  mission,  I  can  only  say  that  it  is  utterly  ruined ;  before  the 
King's  troops  went  into  that  part  of  the  country,  the  people 
were  robbed  of  their  cattle  and  otherwise  plundered  by  the 
Rebels  ;  and,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  that  they  suffered  greatly  in 
that  way  from  the  Royal  army.  Little  or  no  distinction  was 
made  ;  no  redress  could  be  obtained,  and  no  stop  was  put  to  it. 
As  soon  as  the  King's  troops  withdrew,  the  Rebels  returned  in 
parties,  and  every  party  plundered  the  inhabitants.  Many  fled 
to  this  city,  with  what  little  they  could  carry — many  were  de- 
prived by  the  Rebels  of  every  thing  but  the  clothes  on  their 
backs,  and  sent  off  with  only  six  days  provision,  because  they 
refused  to  swear  allegiance  to  the  States  of  America.  Children 
and  infants  have  been  deprived  of  their  clothes,  and  women  in 
child-bed  have  had  the  coverings,  even  the  sheets,  torn  from 
their  beds,  by  these  monsters,  who  seem  to  have  nothing  of  hu- 
manity left  but  the  shape  of  men  only.  Many  families  of  my 
parishioners  are  now  in  this  town,  who  used  to  live  decently, 
suffering  for  common  necessaries.  I  daily  meet  them,  and  it 
is  melancholy  to  observe  the  dejection  strongly  marked  on  their 
faces,  which  seem  to  implore  that  assistance  which  I  am  unable 
to  give.  To  pity  and  pray  for  them  is  all  I  can  do.  I  shall  say 
nothing  more  of  my  own  situation  at  present,  than  that  [  have 
hitherto  supported  myself  and  family  with  decency,  and  will 
not  distrust  the  goodness  of  God  which  has  hitherto  preserved 
me,  nor  render  myself  unworthy  of  it  by  repining  and  discon- 
tent." a 

In  his  letter  of  November  12th,  1777,  he  observes :— "  That 
about  a  month  before,  he  had  visited  Westchester,  and  thought 
of  staying  the  winter  there,  but  was  obliged  to  drop  such  inten- 
tions on  General  Burgoyne's  defeat,  as  the  Rebels  upon  that 
event  came  to  that  town  by  night  and  carried  off  forty-two  of 
the  inhabitants."  Dr.  Seaburj  concludes  with  requesting  that 
he  may  remove  to  Staten  Island  if  he  finds  it  safer  than  West- 
chester ;   and  the   Society,  sensible  of  his  great  worth,  have 

»  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  617.    (Hawks'.) 


rAND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  101 

signified  their  ready  compliance  with  his  request,  engaging  to 
continue  the  salary  of  £50  per  annum,  during  the  present  dis- 
turbances.* 

The  Abstracts  for  1778,  state  that  two  letters  have  been 
received  in  the  course  of  the  year  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Seabury, 
Missionary  at  Staten  Island.  In  the  former  he  acquaints  the 
Society,  "  that  in  December,  1777,  he  preached  there  to  a  very 
decent  and  attentive  congregation,  of  near  three  hundred  people, 
and  baptized  twelve  infants,  &c.  That  the  wretched  state  of 
his  late  mission  at  Westchester,  is  beyond  description  ;  many  of 
the  inhabitants  having  removed  to  New-York  and  Long  Island, 
where  they  want  many  comforts  of  life ;  and  some  who  have 
remained  at  home,  are  continually  plundered  by  knots  and 
bands  of  disorderly  people ;  that  all  good  principles  and  im- 
pressions of  morality  seem  to  be  wearing  out  in  that  devoted 
country."1* 

In  his  second  letter  he  thus  writes  : — 

MR.  SEABURY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

New-  York,  November  22d,  1778. 
Rev.  Sir  : 

"I  am  obliged  still  to  continue  at  New- York,  it  being  impracti- 
cable for  me  to  return  to  Westchester,  or  reside  with  safety  on 
Staten  Island  ;  and  though  I  am  strong  in  hope,  that  the  com- 
motions in  this  country  will  soon  subside,  yet  I  confess  the  pres- 
ent appearances  seem  to  indicate  a  fixed  resolution  in  the  Con- 
gress to  support  their  Independency,  as  long  as  they  possibly 
can.  I  am,  however,  confident  it  could  not  be  supported  against 
the  vigorous  efforts  of  Great  Britain  for  one  campaign,  as  the 
resources  of  this  country  must  be  nearly  exhausted. 

I  remain,  Rev.  Sir,  &c, 

Samuel  Seabury."0 


'Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  P.  Soc.  for  1777. 
b  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  P.  Soc.  for  1778. 
«  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  625.     (Hawks'.) 


102  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

From  this  time  he  continued  to  reside  in  New- York  until  the 
peace,  and  served  as  Chaplain  of  the  King's  American  regiment, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Fanning.51 

His  last  report  to  the  Society  is  contained  in  the  following 
communication : — 

MR.  SEABURY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

New-  York.  June  24th,  1782. 
Rev.  Sir  : — 

"The  situation  of  affairs  in  this  country,  has  for  the  last  year 
continued  so  much  the  same  that  1  have  nothing  new  of  which 
to  inform  the  Society.  Both  Westchester  and  Staten  Island 
remain  in  the  same  ruined  state,  as  much  exposed  to  the  incur- 
sions of  the  Rebels  as  ever.  Though  their  incursions  have  not 
lately  been  so  frequent  as  forme rly."b 

In  1784  he  went  to  England  to  obtain  consecration  as  a 
Bishop,  but  objections  arising  there,  he  was  consecrated  in 
Scotland,  on  the  14th  of  November  of  that  year,c  by  Bishops 
Kilgour,  Petrie  and  Skinner.  Early  in  the  summer  of  the 
ensuing  year,  he  returned  to  Connecticut,  the  first  Bishop  of 
our  Church  (for  Talbot  and  Weldon  left  no  traces  behind  them,) 
that  had  been  seen  in  that  part  of  the  North  American  con- 
tinent. 

The  following  extract  appears  in  a  communication  from  the 
Rev.  T.  B.  Chandler,  U.  D.,  to  Isaac  Wilkins,  Esq.,  dated  Lon- 
don, February  25th,  1785.  The  bearer  of  which  was  the  Rt. 
Rev.  Dr.  Seabury  : — 

\ 
My  Dear  Sir: 

"I  hope  that  you  may  happen  to  be  at  Halifax  when  this  ar- 
rives there — both  for  your  own  sake  and  that  of  the  bearer,  who 
is  no  less  a  person  than  the  Bishop  of  Connecticut.  He  goes 
by  the  way  of  Nova  Scotia  for  several  reasons,  of  which  the 

»  Sabine's  Hist,  of  the  American  Loyalists. 

b  New-York,  M.  S.  S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  Vol.  ii.  657.  (Hawks'.)  In 
1783,  the  Society  paid  Mr.  Seabury  a  salary  of  .£50.  He  was  then  residing  in 
England.    See  Abstracts  for  1783. 

e  Updike's  Hist,  of  the  Narragansett  Church. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  103 

principal  is,  that  he  may  see  the  situation  of  that  part  of  his 
family,  which  is  in  that  quarter,  and  be  able  to  form  a  judg- 
ment of  the  prospects  before  them.  He  will  try  hard  to  see  you, 
but,  as  he  will  not  have  much  time  to  spare,  he  fears  that  he 
shall  not  be  able  to  go  to  Shelburne  in  quest  of  you. 

You  were  acquainted  with  this  Bishop  and  his  adventures 
from  the  time  of  his  leaving  New- York,  in  1783.  He  came 
home  with  strong  recommendations  to  the  two  Archbishops  and 
the  Bishop  of  London,  from  the  clergy  of  Connecticut,  and 
with  their  most  earnest  request  that  he  might  have  Episcopal 
consecration  for  the  church  in  that  State.  Though  no  objections 
could  arise  from  his  character,  the  Bishops  here  thought  such  a 
measure  would  be  considered  as  rash  and  premature,  since  no 
fund  had  been  established  for  his  support,  and  no  consent  to 
his  admission  had  been  made  by  the  States  ;  besides,  no  Bishop 
could  be  consecrated  here  for  a.  foreign  country,  without  an  act 
of  Parliament  to  dispense  with  the  oaths  required  by  the  es- 
tablished office.  These  difficulties  and  objections  continued  to 
operate  through  the  winter,  and  several  candidates  for  Priest's 
orders,  who  had  been  waiting  near  a  twelvemonth,  were  about 
going  over  to  the  Continent,  to  seek  for  ordination  in  some 
foreign  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  At  length  a  short  act 
was  obtained,  authorizing  the  Bishop  of  London  and  his  sub- 
stitutes to  dispense  with  the  aforesaid  oaths  in  the  ordination  of 
Priests  and  Deacons  for  the  American  States  ;  but  nothing  was 
said  in  it  about  the  consecration  of  Bishops.  The  Minister,  it 
seems,  was  fearful  that  opening  the  door  for  the  consecration  of 
Bishops  would  give  umbrage  to  the  Americans,  and,  therefore, 
every  prospect  of  success  here  was  at  an  end. 

Dr.  Seabury,  with  his  wonted  spirit  and  resolution,  then 
thought  it  his  duty  to  apply  elsewhere,  and  by  the  intervention 
of  a  friend,  consulted  the  Bishops  in  Scotland,  who  were  equally 
without  the  protection  and  the  restraint  of  gr-ernment.  They 
cordially  met  the  proposal,  and  our  friend  was  consecrated 
Bishop  for  Connecticut,  at  Aberdeen,  on  the  14th  of  November 
last.  I  have  been  thus  particular,  on  the  supposition  that  you 
may  not  have  been  acquainted  with  so  much  of  this  history."* 

»  From  the  original  letter  in  the  possession  of  Gouverneur  M.  Wilkins,  Esq. 


104  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Bishop  Seabury  died  February  25th,  1796,  aged  sixty-eight 
years.  Two  volumes  of  his  sermons  were  published  before  his 
decease,  and  one  volume  in  1798.  A  sermon  founded  on  St. 
Peter's  exhortation  to  fear  God  and  honor  the  King,  delivered 
before  the  provincial  or  loyalist  troops,  was  printed  during  the 
war  by  direction  of  Governor  Tryon.a  The  following  is  in- 
scribed on  his  tomb-stone,  at  New  London  : 

HERE    LIETH    THE    BODY    OP 

SAMUEL       SEABURY,     D.     D., 

BISHOP   OP   CONNECTICUT   AND   RHODE   ISLAND, 

Who  departed  this  transitory  scene, 

February  25th,  179G, 

In  the  68th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  eleventh  of  his 

EPISCOPAL    CONSECRATION. 

Ingenious  without  Pride, 

Learned  without  Pedantry, 

Good  without  severity, 

He  was  duly  qualified  to  discharge 

The  duties  of  the  Christian  and  the  Bishop. 

In  the  Pulpit  he  enforced  religion, 

In  his  conduct  he  exemplified  it. 

The  poor  he  assisted  with  his  charity, 

The  ignorant  he  blessed  with  hi-s  instruction. 

The  friend  of  men,  he  ever  designed  them  good, 

The  enemy  of  vice,  he  ever  opposed  it. 

Christian!  do'st  thou  aspire  to  happiness1? 

Seabury  has  shown  the  way  that  leads  to  it.k 

Charles  Seabury,  the  youngest  son  of  the  Bishop,  was  born 
in  Westchester,  in  May,  1770,  and  succeeded  his  father  in  the 
church  at  New  London.  In  1796,  he  preached  awhile  at  Ja- 
maica. His  first  wife  was  Anne,  the  daughter  of  Roswell  Sal- 
tonstall,  of  New  London,  by  whom  he  had  issue.  His  son, 
Samuel  Seabury,  D.  D.,  is  the  present  Rector  of  the  Church  of 
the  Annunciation,  in  the  city  of  New- York. c 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  passed  18th  of  April,  17S5,  it 
was  ordered: — "that  the  District  formerly  called  and  known 


*  Sabine's  History  of  the  American  Loyalists. 

bThe  above  inscription  was  written  by  Rev.  John  Bowden,  S.  T.  D.,  formerly 
Professor  of  moral  Philosophy  in  Columbia  College,  N.  Y. 

•  Updike's  History  of  Narragansett  Church. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  105 

by  the  stile  of  the  Borough  and  Town  of  Westchester,  shall 
henceforth  be  called  and  known  by  the  name  of  the  Town  of 
Westchester."  Up  to  this  date,  the  church  appears  to  have 
been  governed  by  the  Charter  of  1762.  On  the  6th  day  of  April, 
in  the  year  1784,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New- York 
passed  an  act  entitled,  "  An  act  to  enable  all  religious  denomi- 
nations in  this  State,  to  appoint  Trustees,  who  should  be  a  body 
corporate,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  care  of  the  temporalities 
of  their  respective  congregations,  and  for  other  purposes  therein 
mentioned." a  Under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  St.  Peter's 
Church,  Westchester,  was  incorporated  on  the  19th  of  April, 
17S8,  the  following  persons  being  chosen  trustees  :  Lewis  Gra- 
ham, Josiah  Browne,  Thomas  Hunt,  Israel  Underhill,  John 
Bartow,  Phillip  I.  Livingston,  and  Samuel  Bayard.b 

The  earliest  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Trustees,  is 
dated  May  12th,  1788,  when  "it  was  resolved,  that  the  old 
church  be  sold  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Ferris  for  the  sum  often  pounds." 
Their  next  business  was  to  obtain  the  necessary  funds 
for  the  erection  of  another  edifice.  Accordingly,  at  a  meet- 
ing held  September,  1788,  Israel  Underhill  and  John  Bar- 
tow, Jr.,  were  authorized  "  to  draw  up  a  subscription  paper, 
and  carry  it  round  to  the  people,  in  order  to  raise  a  sum  of 
money  to  build  a  church,  on  or  near  the  same  ground  where  the 
Church  of  St.  Peter,  late  removed,  stood."  At  a  subsequent 
meeting,  held  October  13th,  1788,  Philip  I.  Livingston  laid  be- 
fore the  corporation  the  following  petition  to  the  Venerable 
Society: — 

"  To  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel 
in  Foreign  Parts.  The  Petition  of  Josiah  Brown, 
Lewis  Graham,  Samuel  Bayard,  Israel  Underhill, 
and  John  Bartow,  Jr., 

Humbly  sheweth, 
That  your  Petitioners  are  by  law  Trustees  of  the  Episcopal 


■  Laws  of  N.  Y.  from  1778  to  1787.    Greenleaf,  vol.  I.  chapter  xviii.  71. 
b  County  Rec.  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  A.  p.  19. 


106  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

Church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  Township,  late  Borough  of  West- 
chester, and  State  of  New- York,  in  North  America.  The 
Township  in  which  your  petitioners  reside,  from  its  vicinity  to 
the  Capital  of  this  State,  was,  during  the  late  war  subject  to  the 
incursions  and  depredations  of  both  British  and  American  armies, 
unprotected  by  either.  That  thus  circumstanced,  their  Church 
and  Parsonage  house  very  early  suffered  the  ravages  of  war, 
and  have  been  so  materially  wasted  as  not  to  claim  the  expense 
of  a  reparation.  That  the  greater  part  of  their  congregation  have 
been  also  by  these  means  greatly  injured  in  their  estates,  and 
many  reduced  to  abject  poverty,  and  that  under  these  calami- 
tous events  they  have  been  since  the  commencement  of  the  late 
war,  and  even  unto  this  day,  without  a  gospel  Minister  established 
in  their  Township,  and  therefore,  as  might  be  expected,  vice  and 
irreligion  too  much  prevail  amongst  the  people.  And  your  peti- 
tioners further  beg  leave  to  show,  that  from  a  sense  of  duty  ow- 
ing to  themselves,  as  well  as  from  a  most  unfeigned  regard  for 
the  welfare  of  the  souls  of  those  with  whom  they  are  connected 
in  society  ;  they  are  most  anxiously  solicitous,  as  soon  as  may  be, 
to  erect  another  church  upon  their  glebe,  and  establish  a  minis- 
ter. But  as  the  greater  part  of  the  members  of  their  Church  are 
unable  to  contribute  any  considerable  sums  toward  these  desira- 
ble purposes,  your  petitioners  have  the  best  reason  to  believe 
their  good  intentions  will  be  intirely  defeated,  unless  they  are 
aided  with  charitable  donations  from  abroad.  And  your  peti- 
tioners begleave  to  show,  that  they  are  informed  your  honorable 
Society  have  some  property  in  this  state,  bequeathed  to  your 
Corporation  for  charitable  purposes,  by  the  will  of  St.  George 
Talbot,  formerly  of  New-York,  and  that  it  is  your  intention  to 
bestow  whatever  may  arise  from  funds  yet  left  in  America,  to 
American  Episcopal  Churches.  Encouraged  by  this  hope,  and 
confiding  in  the  well  known  pious  and  liberal  disposition  of  your 
honorable  board,  your  Petitioners  humbly  request,  that  to  enable 
them  to  rebuild  their  church,  they  may  be  favored  with  the  socie- 
ty's bounty,  andauthorized  to  receive  for  this  purpose,  from  any 
monies  being  the  property  of  the  Society,  which  now  are,  or  may 
hereafter  come  into  the  hands  of  the  executors  of  the  late  St. 
George  Talbot,  or  any  of  them,  or  any  person  or  persons  acting 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


107 


for  them,  or  action  of  them,  the  sum  of  £200  sterling,  or  such 
other  sums,  as  to  the  piety  and  charity  of  your  truly  christian 
Corporation  shall  seem  meet ;  and  your  Petitioners  as  in  duty 
bound,  shall  ever  pray  &c."a 

Upon  the  26th  of  January  17S9,  the  Trustees  made  an  agree- 
ment with  John  Odell,  of  New- York,  carpenter,  to  build  a  church 
for  the  sum  of  £336.b 


St.  Peter's  Church,  erected  in  1790. 

At  a  meeting,  Nov.  16.  1789,  Messrs  Bayard,  Livingston  and 
Bartow,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  write  a  letter  lo  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Chandler,  returning  the  thanks  of  this  Corporation,  for  his 
favorable  recommendation  of  this  Congregation  to  the  Reverend, 
the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts  ; 
and  for  his  assistance  in  procuring  the  benefaction  which  the 
Trustees  are  informed,  the  said  Society  have  been  pleased  to 
grant  to  this  Congregation.0 

The  Trustees  now  proceeded  to  restore  the  services  in  the 
parish,  which  had  been  suspended  for  nearly  thirteen  years. — 
Accordingly,  at  a  meeting  held  July  5th,  1790,  it  was  resolved  : 
"That  an  application  be  made  to  the  Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow, 


»  Westchester  Vestry  Book,  p.  39. 
b  Westchester  Vestry  Book,  p.  40. 
•  Ditto,  p.  44.      In  1791.  The  Society  were  pleased  to  grant  the  sum  of  £200. 


108  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

for  the  purpose  of  engaging  him  as  a  minister  to  serve  this 
Church,  for  the  term  of  two  years,  every  other  Sunday  in  the 
year,  and  that  the  members  of  this  congregation  be  called  upon, 
by  the  Trustees,  to  subscribe  such  sums  as  they  think  proper  on 
this  occasion."3- 
Upon  the  2d  of  January  1792  the  Trustees  accepted  the 

REV.  THEODOSIUS  BARTOW, 

as  minister  of  the  Church,  for  a  term  of  two  years,  from  the  1st 
of  January,  1791.     His  ministrations  were  highly  acceptable  du- 
ring this  short  period. 
The 

REV.  JOHN  IRELAND,  A.  M., 

was  elected  his  successor,  on  the  20th  of  August,  1794.  He  was 
the  son  of  John  Ireland,  an  officer  in  the  British  army  during 
the  revolution,  who  died  in  this  country.  He  was  born  in 
England,  A.  D.  1756 }  but  at  what  institution  he  graduated  is 
unknown.  He  came  to  this  country  some  time  prior  to  the 
adoption  of  the  federal  constitution  ;  studied  for  holy  orders  ;  was 
ordained  deacon  and  priest  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Sam'l  Provoost,  D.  D. 
in  1792.  and  was  called  to  this  parish,  as  we  have  seen,  in  1794. 
The  following  release  for  the  site  of  the  church,  and  adjoining 
cemetery,  was  given  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Town,  to  those  of 
the  Church  in  1795.  But  as  the  Rector  of  this  Parish  had 
been  inducted  over  all  the  rights  and  appurtenances  of  the  Church 
for  a  period  of  nearly  seventy-five  years,  and  more  especially 
as  the  Charter  of  1762  had  confirmed  the  rector,  wardens  and 
vestrymen  in  possession,  "of  the  church  and  the  ground  whereon 
the  same  was  built,  and  the  cemetery  belonging  to  the  same  ;  "we 
cannot  see  by  what  right  the  former  party  could  release  proper- 
ty that  did  not  belong  to  them.  Such  a  conveyance  amounts  to 
nothing  at  all. 


»  Westchester  Vestry  Book.  In  1791  it  was  ordered,  "  that  a  collection  be  made 
for  the  use  of  the  Church  and  the  minister,  on  every  day  on  which  Divine  service 
shall  be  performed." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  109 

RELEASE  FOR  BURYING  GROUND  FROM  THE  TRUSTEES  OF 
WESTCHESTER  TO  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH. 

"This  Indenture  made  the  20th  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1795,  be  ' 
tween  the  Trustees  of  the  Town  of  Westchester,  of  the  one  part,  and  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  Town  ol  Westchester  of  the 
other  part,:  Witnesseth,  that  the  parties  of  the  first  part,  for  and  in  consideration 
of  the  sum  ol  twenty  shillings  to  them  in  hand  paid,  at  or  before  the  ensealing  and 
delivery  of  these  presents,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged  ;  have  gran- 
ted, bargained,  sold,  aliened,  released  and  confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  do 
grant,  bargain,  sell,  alien,  release  and  confirm  unto  the  parties  of  the  second  part, 
the  Trustees  of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  Town  of  Westchester, 
and  their  successors  for  ever,  all  that  certain  piece,  parcel  and  lot  of  ground  on 
which  the  Episcopal  Church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  said  Town  of  Westchester  is  erected, 
and  also  the  Burying  Ground  adjoining  the  said  Church,  as  it  is  now  enclosed  and 
fenced,  and  which  heretofore  has  been  used  for  a  Burial  Place,  by  the  inhabitants 
of  said  Township,  containing  about  one  acre,  be  the  same  more  or  less,  and  the 
reversion  and  reversions,  remainder  and  remainders,  rents,  issues  and  profits  of 
the  said  premises,  and  of  every  part  and  parcel  thereof,  particularly  all  benefits 
and  profits  arising  from  a  lease  of  the  said  Burial  Ground,  heretofore  granted  to 
George  Ernbree,  and  which  will  shortly  be  determined,  and  all  Estate,  Right, 
Title,  Interest,  Claim  and  Demand  whatsoever,  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Town  of 
Westchester,  of,  in  anti  to  all  and  singular  the  said  Premises,  and  of  and  to  every 
part  and  parcel  thereof,  with  their  appurtenances.  To  have  and  to  hold  the  said 
Lots  and  parcel  of  land  on  which  the  aforesaid  Church  is  erected,  and  the  afore- 
said adjoining  Burial  Ground  and  Premises  above  mentioned,  with  the  appurte- 
nances unto  the  said  Trustees  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  Town  of  Westches- 
ter and.their  successors,  to  the  only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  the  said  Trustees  of  the 
Episcopal  Church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  Town  of  Westchester,  and  their  successors 
forever  ;  Provided  always,  and  upon  condition  that  the  said  Trustees  of  the  Episco- 
pal Church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  Town  of  Westchester,  and  their  successors  do  and 
shall  at  all  times  hereafter  permit  and  suffer  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  West- 
chester, to  Bury  their  Dead  in  the  said  Burial  Ground,  without  any  fee  or  com- 
pensation being  exacted  therefor,  in  such  vacant  parts  of  the  said  Burial  Ground  as 
shall  be  directed  and  ordered  from  time  to  time  by  the  said  Trustees,  of  the  Epis- 
copal Church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  Town  of  Westchester,  or  their  successors,  or 
by  any  person  legally  authorized  under  them,  to  direct  the  same ;  and  provided 
always,  that  anything  herein  notwithstanding,  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  Town 
shall  always  be  permitted  to  bury  their  dead  near  to  and  adjoining  their  families 
who  have  heretofore  been  buried  in  the  said  Burial  Ground. 
Sealed  with  the  seal  of  the  Trustees,  and  signed  by  their  order. 


(Signed,) 

ISAAC  UNDERHILL,  President. 


Westchester  Vestry  Book,  p.  22. 


110  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

St.  Peter's  Church  continued  under  the  act  of  1784,  providing 
for  the  incorporation  of  religious  Societies  generally,  until  the 
2nd  of  August,  1795  ;  when,  in  accordance  with  the  act  passed 
for  the  relief  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  on  the  7th  of 
March  preceeding,  it  was  again  incorporated.  Israel  Underhill 
and  Philip  I.  Livingston,  Churchwardens,  John  Bartow  Jr.,  Thos. 
Bartow,1  Oliver  de  Lancey,  Warren  de  Lancey,  Joseph  Brown, 
Jonathan  Fowler,  Robert  Heaton  and  Nicholas  Bayard,  vestry- 
men.a 

By  this  act  the  vestry  or  a  major  part  of  them  were  vested 
with  full  power  to  call  and  inductb  a  minister.  Accordingly, 
at  a  meeting,  in  August,  1795,  Mr.  Ireland,  was  confirmed  in  his 
call  to  the  rectorship  of  the  church. 

Mr.  Ireland  continued  his  ministrations  till  1797  ;c  during 
this  period  the  present  Church  edifice  was  consecrated,  and  the 
congregation  considerably  increased.  In  1798  he  was  called  to 
St.  Ann's  Church,  Brooklyn,  where  he  remained  until  1806,  when 
he  removed  to  Grace  Church,  Jamaica,  Long  Island.  In  1809, 
he  ceased  to  be  a  minister  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  and 
entered  the  navy  as  a  chaplain,  in  which  capacity  he  served  up 
to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  died  at  the  Navy- Yard,  Brooklyn, 
on  the  25th  of  March,  1822.  "  He  was  (says  one  who  knew  him 
intimately)  a  very  accomplished  man,  possessed  of  highly  pol- 
ished manners,  and  an  excellent  scholar,  being  gifted  with  a  re- 
markably harmonious  and  pleasing  voice  ;  he  excelled  in  the  de- 


*  County  Rec.  Religious   Soc.  Lib.  A.  58. 

*  "Induction  is  the  vesting  of  the  minister  with  the  temporalities  of  the  Con- 
gregation, and  in  the  Church  of  England,  is  performed  by  the  patron  of  the  living, 
who  also  appoints  the  minister ;  and  in  the  Church  in  this  country  the  vestry 
or  congregation  choose  the  minister  ;  and  fix  his  salary  and  other  temporalities. — 
The  Bishop  or  some  other  minister  appointed  by  him,  institutes  the  minister  thus 
chosen  to  the  spiritual  charge  of  the  Congregation.  The  general  Convention 
recognized  the  principal,  and  prescribed  the  office  of  Institution  agreeably  to  the 
above.  Induction  is  that  act  by  which  a  minister  is  vested  with  the  temporalities 
of  a  living;  Institution  is  that  by  which  he  is  vested  with  the  cure  of  souls." 

o  Agreeably  to  the  4th  Canon  of  1793,  Mr.  Ireland  gave  in  to  the  Bishop,  the 
amount  of  his  parochial  register,  on  the  4th  of  Oct.  1797.  See  journal  of  Diocesan 
Con.    The    parochial  reports  were  not  printed  with  the  journals  until    1804. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  WESTCHESTER.  Ill 

livery  of  his  sermons,  whilst  his  style  of  composition  would 
compare  with  the  best  models  in  our  language."  The  following 
is  the  inscription  from  his  tombstone  : 

REV.    JOHN    IRELAND, 

died  the  25th  day  of  March,  1822, 
aged  6G  years. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Wardens  and  Vestrymen,  with  the  Con- 
gregations of  Westchester,  and  Eastchester,  on  the  7th  day  of 
Juno,  1798,  it  was  resolved,  that  the  said  Congregations  do  unite 
and  associate,  in  order  to  procure  a  clergyman  to  officiate  for 
them."a     Accordingly  on  the  9th  of  March,  17S9,  the 

REV.  ISAAC  WILKINS,  A.  M., 

was  elected  minister  of  the  two  churches.  He  was  the  son  of 
Martin  Wilkins,  a  rich  planter  of  Jamaica,  W.  I.  where  he  was 
born  in  1741. b  His  father  dying  when  he  was  quite  young,  he 
was  sent  to  New-York,  to  be  educated.  In  1756  he  entered 
Kings  College,  (now  Columbia,)  where  he  graduated  in  17ti0.c — 
He  prepared  himself  (says  Sabine)  for  the  ministry,  bnt  did  not 
take  orders.  Having  settled  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  he 
was  returned  as  a  member  of  the  House  of  Assembly,  in  which 
body  he  became  a  leader  on  the  ministerial  side.  His  influence 
with  his  associates,  and  with  his  party  was  very  great." 


*  Westchester  Vestry  Book. 

b  The  family  of  Wilkins,  was  originally  seated  in  the  County  of  Glamorgan, 
South  Wales,  and  derives  from  "  Robert  de  Wintona,  or  Wincestria,  who  came 
into  that  country  with  Robert  Fitzhamon,  who  was  Lord  of  the  manor  of  Languian 
near  Cowbridgu,  and  built  a  castle  there,  the  ruins  of  which  are  still  extant  ;  the 
valley,  underneath,  is  called  Pant  Wilkyn  (Wilkyn's  vale)  to  this  day.  Mem- 
bers of  the  family,  yet  reside  at  Brecon,  Glamorganshire,  and  Maeslough,  Rad- 
norshire. The  more  immediate  ancestor  of  the  American  branch  emigrated  to 
Jamaica,  West  Indies,  in  1720,  and  settled  as  a  planter  at  St.  Dorothy's  in  that 
colony.  His  grandson,  was  the  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins.  The  coat  armor  of  this 
family  is —  :  Or,  a  wyvern  ppr.  Crest,  a  wyvcrn  or  Whelk  ppr.  motto.  Syn  ar,  dy 
Hun  Anglice,  Beware  of  thyself. 

•  Mr.  Wilkins  received  the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  King's  College,  in  the  year 
1763. 


112  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH. 

Mr.  Wilkins's  zeal  and  extreme  loyalty,  rendered  him  very 
obnoxious  to  the  Whigs.  Besides  his  prominent  position  in  the 
Assembly,  he  gave  utterance  to  his  thoughts,  in  essays.  It  is  a 
singular  circumstance,  that  the  youthful  Hamilton,  who  was 
also  born  in  the  West  Indies,  undertook  the  task  of  replying  to 
two  of  his  poetical  effusions.  One  of  them,  the  "Congress  Can- 
vassed," &c.  which  was  signed.  A.  W.  Farmer,  was  extensively 
circulated  ;  and  as  well  as  that  called,  '-'•  A  View  of  the  Controver- 
sy between  Great  Britain  and  her  Colonies,"  was  summarily 
disposed  of  whenever  they  fell  into  the  hands  of  tho^e  whose 
measures  they  criticised  and  condemned. 

In  1775  he  left  the  country,  and  went  to  England.  At  the 
moment  of  his  departure,  he  issued  the  following  address  : — 

New-  York,  May  3cZ.  1775. 

My  Countrymen  : — 

u  Before  1  leave  America,  the  land  II  ore,  and  in  which  is  con- 
tained every  thing  that  is  valuable  and  dear  to  me — my  wife,  my 
children,  my  friends  and  property — permit  me  to  make  a  short 
and  faithful  declaration  ;  which  I  am  induced  to  do,  neither 
through  fear  nor  a  consciousness  of  having  acted  wrong.  An 
honest  man  and  a  christian  hath  nothing  to  apprehend  from  this 
world.  God  is  my  judge,  and  God  is  my  witness,  that  all  I  have 
done,  written  or  said,  ill  relation  to  the  present  unnatural  dis- 
pute between  Great  Britain  and  her  Colonies,  proceeded  from  an 
honest  intention  of  serving  my  country.  Her  welfare  and  pros- 
perity were  the  objects  towards  which  all  my  endeavors  have 
been  directed.  They  are  still  the  sacred  objects  which  I  shall 
ever  steadily  and  invariably  keep  in  view.  And,  when  in  Eng- 
land, all  the  influence  that  so  inconsiderable  a  man  as  I  am  can 
have,  shall  be  exerted  in  her  behalf.  It  has  been  my  constant 
maxim  through  life,  to  do  my  duty  conscientiously,  and  to  trust 
the  issue  of  my  actions  to  the  Almighty.  May  that  God,  in 
whose  hands  are  all  events,  speedily  restore  peace  and  liberty  to 
my  unhappy  country.  May  Great  Britain  and  America  be  soon 
united  in  the  bonds  of  everlasting  unity,  and  when  united,  may 
they  continue  a  free,  a  virtuous  and  happy  nation  to  the  end 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  113 

of  time.  I  leave  America,  and  every  endearing  connection,  be- 
cause I  will  not  raise  my  hand  against  my  Sovereign,  nor  draw 
my  sword  against  my  country;  when  I  can  conscientiously  draw 
it  in  her  favor,  my  life  shall  be  cheerfully  devoted  to  her  ser- 
vice. 

Isaac  Wilkins." 

In  1776,  he  returned  to  Long  Island,  where  he  remained  un- 
til the  peace,  when  he  returned  to  Shelburne,  Nova  Scotia.  He 
remained  in  Nova  Scotia  several  years,  and  lived  a  part  of  the 
time  at  Lunenburgh."a  He  was  ordained  deacon  in  179S,  and 
afterwards  priest  by  the  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D.  of 
this  diocese.  In  1799  he  was  settled,  as  we  have  shown,  over 
this  parish. 

At  a  vestry  meeting  on  the  22nd  of  July,  1S01,  it  was  resolved  : 
"  That  the  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins,  being  now  in  priest's  orders, 
and  having  officiated  for  us  for  two  years  past,  to  our  satisfac- 
tion, be  now  called  to  the  Rectory  of  this  Parish,  agreeably  to 
the  resolution  and  intention  of  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestry. 
men  on  the  9th  of  March,  1799."b 

In  1S06  Mr.  Wilkins  makes  a  report  to  the  Diocesan  Conven- 
tion of  forty  communicants,  and  eighteen  baptisms,  &,c. ;  the  fol- 
lowing year  his  communicants  numbered  nearly  fifty. 

The  Rev.  "William  Powell  was  elected  his  assistant  on  the 
12th  day  of  July,  1S29,  The  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins  died  February 
the  5th.  1530.  His  remains  were  interred  on  the  south  side  of 
the  chancel  of  St.  Peters  Church,  under  the  following  inscrip- 
tion 

Sacred 

to  the'memory  of  the 

REVEREND  ISAAC  WILKINS.  D.   D., 

who,  for  thirty-one  years,  vras  the 

diligent  and  faithful  minister 

of  this  parish 


*  Sabine's  American  Loyalists. 
k  Westchester  Vestry  Book. 


114  HISTOEY  OF  THE  PARISH 

placed  here,  as  he  believed,  by  his  Redeemer, 

He  remained  satisfied  with  the 

pittance  allowed  him,  rejoicing  that  even  in  that 

he  was  no  burden  to  his 

parishioners , 

nor  ever  wished,  nor  ever  went  forth 

to  seek  a  better  livng. 

Died  5th  February,  1830, 

Aged  89  years. 

The  following  obituary  notice  appeared  in  the  Christian  Jour- 
nal for  March,  1830  :— 

"  Died  at  Westchester,  New- York,  on  Friday,  February  5th,  in 
the  eighty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  the  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins,  D.  D., 
rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  that  place. 

If  the  most  stern  and  sterling  integrity  ;  a  conscience  which 
knew  no  compromise  ;  and  an  habitual  purpose,  passing  by  all 
selfish  considerations,  and  aiming,  through  good  report  and  evil 
report,  at  duty,  with  all  its  sacrifices,  responsibilities,  and  conse- 
quences, form  the  upright,  virtuous  and  honourable  man,  Dr.  Wil- 
kins was  among  the  most  upright,  the  most  virtuous  and  the  most 
honourable.  If  deep  and  thorough  conviction  of  the  great  truths 
of  the  Gospel ;  the  entire  submission  of  a  more  than  ordinarily 
strong  and  enlightened  understanding  to  the  teachings  of  God's 
word  ;  an  abiding  and  humbling  sense  of  a  personal  need  of  a  Sa- 
viour and  Sanctifier  ;  a  child-like  reliance  on  the  Saviour  and 
Sanctifier  ;  revealed  in  holy  writ ;  devotion  of  the  most  intense 
character;  and  piety  infusing  its  holy  influences  into  all  the 
heart,  all  the  soul,  and  all  the  mind,  are  constituents  of  a 
true  Christian,  he  has  cause  to  thank  God,  who  has  grace 
to  take  pattern  herein,  by  the  character  of  the  venerable  man 
now  noticed.  If  love  for  that  Church  which  Christ  loved  even 
unto  death  ;  reverence  for  the  appointments  which  He  made  for 
its  perpetuity  and  good  order,  and  for  its  subserving  the  great 
end  of  its  establishment  in  the  sanctification  and  salvation  of  His 
people  ;  a  due  appreciation  of  that  primitive  evangelical  piety, 
which  led  Christians  to  be  of  one  heart  and  one  mind,  to  con- 
tinue steadfast  in  the  apostle's  doctrine  and  fellowship,  and  hold- 
ing, as  faithful  members  of  the  Church,  the  Head,  which  is 
Christ,  thus  to  derive  from  Him  grace  to  increase  with  the  in- 


AND  CHURCH  OP  WESTCHESTER.  115 

crease  of  God  ;  if  these  enter  essentially  into  the  character  of  a 
good  Churchman,  never  had  the  Church  a  truer  son  than  in  the 
subject  of  this  notice.  If  talents  and  learning  of  a  superior  order  • 
an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  whole  range  of  Christian  the- 
ology ;  an  ardent  love  for  the  duties  of  the  ministry  ;  an  abiding 
and  practical  application  to  himself,  of  the  truths  and  precepts 
which  he  delivers  to  others  ;  a  rule  and  measure  in  delivering 
those  truths  and  precepts,  casting  off  all  reference  to  popular 
liking,  and  governed  solely  by  the  word  of  God,  and  by  a  sense 
of  responsibility  to  Him  ;  a  conscientious  fulfilment  of  the  vows 
of  ordination  ;  faithful  allegiance  to  the  authorities  of  that  por- 
tion of  the  Catholic  Church  to  which  he  belongs ;  and  an  en- 
lightened and  zealous  devotion  to  its  interests,  mark  the  able 
minister  of  the  New  Testament ;  one  of  the  best  prayers  Ave  can 
offer  for  the  Church,  is,  that  God  would  raise  up  for  her  many 
ministers  as  well  qualified  for  their  Master's  work,  as  was  this 
venerable  man. 

A  conscience  so  true  as  his  ;  a  sense  of  duty  so  far  removed 
as  was  his,  from  any  sacrifice  to  personal  interest,  personal  ease, 
and  the  satisfaction  of  wearing  the  feather  of  popularity ;  and  a 
mind  of  the  more  than  ordinary  clearness  and  elevation,  which 
characterized  his,  may  sometimes  fail,  in  what  may  be  thought 
due  allowance  for  supposed  errors  of  judgment,  for  the  weak- 
ness of  human  nature,  and  for  the  strength  with  which  the 
world  allures,  to  some  abatement  of  the  rigid  demands  of  duty 
in  favour  of  what  is  easier  and  more  gratifying  to  the  natural 
man.  However  this  faithful  servant  of  God  (and  his  religious 
views  were  of  too  evangelical  a  character,  to  be  blind  to  the  fact, 
that  the  very  best  have  their  imperfections,)  may  have  some- 
times exemplified  the  truth  of  this  remark,  it  was  only  where  he 
thought  principle  was  concerned,  and  in  honest  compliance  with 
what  he  deemed  duty,  and  what  he  deemed  real  charity,  or  a 
sincere  desire  to  be  instrumental  in  leading  others  into  the  truth 
and  to  avoid  even  the  appearance  of  sanctioning  or  conniving 
at  error. 

In  private  and  social  life,  the  piety,  kindness,  benevolence,  and 
cheerfulness  of  the  true  Christian,  an  affectionate  interest  in  the 
welfare  and  happiness  of  all  about  him,  the  urbanity  of  an  ac- 
omplished  gentleman,  the  good  sense  and  extensive  information, 


116  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

of  an  intelligent  and  well  read  man,  the  fancy  of  a  ready  poet, 
and  the  sprightliness  of  true  and  chastened  wit,  rendered  him  one 
of  the  most  profitable  and  pleasing  of  companions.  And  for  all 
the  sweet  charities,  the  endearing  sympathies,  and  the  elevated 
affections,  of  domestic  life,  he  has  left  a  monument  that  will  per- 
ish only  with  the  hearts  in  which  it  is  erected. 

Although  from  early  life  of  a  religious  turn  of  mind,  much 
devoted  to  theological  reading,  attached  to  clerical  society,  and 
cherishing  an  affection  and  desire,  equal  to  his  fitness,  for  the 
ministry,  it  was  not  until  he  had  attained  to  nearly  three-score 
years  of  age,  that  Dr.  Wilkins  found  himself  sufficiently  released 
from  civil  and  secular  cares  to  gratify  his  early  and  abiding  pref- 
erence of  the  ministry,  as  his  profession.     He  was  then  ordained 
deacon,  and  afterwards,  priest,  by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  Provoost, 
of  this  diocese.     He  soon  settled  in  the  parish,  in  the  charge 
of  which  he  continued  until  his  death  ;  having  added  to  it.  for 
a  time,  that  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Eastchester.     He  continued  in 
the  exercise  of  his  public  duties  until  within  a  few  months  of 
his   death.     He  was  a  graduate  of  Columbia  College,  in  this 
city,  and  was  for  many  years  its  oldest  surviving  alumnus, 
having  received  the  degree  of  B.  A.  in  1760,  and  of  A.  M.  in 
1763.    In  1811  he  was  honoured  by  his  Alma  Mater  with  the  de- 
gree of  D.  D.     His  performance  of  the  public  services  of  the 
Church,  was  characterized  by  peculiar  solemnity  and  dignity,  and 
by  a  manner  clearly  indicative  of  the  deep  and  engaged  interest 
which  his  heart  felt  in  the  holy  offices.     In  his  preaching,  he 
aimed  at  the  faithful  exhibition  of  the  whole  counsel  of  God ; 
and  explained  and  enforced  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel,  the 
distinctive  principles  of  our  Church,  and  the  whole  range  of 
Christian  obligation  and  duty,  with  a  clearness  which  manifes- 
ted his  own  understanding  of  them,  and  an  earnestness  which 
proved  how  deeply  his  heart  was  engaged  in  the  work.     He 
was  conscious  of  the  existence  of  no  error  in  faith  or  practice, 
against  which  he  would  hesitate  boldly  and  fearlessly,  to  breast 
himself.  He  saw  nothing  to  be  his  own  duty,  or  that  of  his  people, 
to  which  he  would  not,  in  the  most  uncompromising  manner, 
devote  himself,  or  which  he  would  not  most  faithfully  and  earn- 
estly urge  and  enforce  upon  them.     It  has  been  said  of  him, 
and  it  is  here  believed  to  have  been  most  justly  said,  that  had 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  117 

he  lived  in  times  of  martyrdom,  there  is  not  that  thing  which 
he  thought  it  his  duty  to  say  or  do,  which  he  would  have  left  un- 
said or  undone,  or  the  act  or  word  which  he  deemed  inconsist- 
ent with  the  most  rigid  demands  of  duty  and  of  conscience,  which 
he  would  have  done  or  said  to  save  his  life.  His  was  a  piety 
and  virtue  which  would  have  remained  unmoved,  when  those 
more  boasted  might  have  found  plausible  excuses  for  giving 
way.  The  unrivalled  venerableness  of  his  appearance,  for  many 
years  past,  added  to  the  worth,  dignity,  and  sanctity  of  his  charac- 
ter, invested  his  public  ministrations  with  a  deep  and  peculiar 
interest.  It  was  to  him  that  reference  was  made  in  the  beautiful 
lines  entitled  'The  Watchman/  published  in  the  Christian 
Journal  for  December,  1826."* 

THE  WATCHMAN. 

"  It  was  the  day  of  Christians'  prayer. —  A  few 
Had  met  in  chapel  built  in  olden  time, 
For  Christian  worship. — He,  the  good  old  man, 
Was  at  the  altar,  and  his  generous  blood 
Was  in  the  veins  of  those  who  knelt  around, 
To  the  third  and  fourth  degree.  Time  had  thinn'd 
His  locks,  but  had  not  wholly  wasted  them  ; 
Yet  what  remained  were  loosely  scattered  o'er 
His  brow,  and  hung  in  light,  thin  curls  about 
His  neck,  and  waved  in  every  lightest  breath  ; 
Ripened  they  seemed,  and  fit  for  ready  harvest ; 
Whiter  were  they  than  the  wreath  of  foam 
Which  binds  the  brow  of  the  broad  cataract. — 

The  pious  man  had  been  at  prayers  with  all 
His  people,  and  his  countenance  was  white 
As  was  his  lawn ;  and  as  you  gazed  upon 
His  face,  it  paler  grew,  with  his  devotions, 
And  brighter  still  the  fancy  made  it  seem 
Like  that  which  Peter  saw  the  Son  of  man 
Did  wear,  when  saints  come  down  from  heaven 

to  hold 
Converse  with  him  upon  the  mountain  height. 

I  saw  the  reverend  man  of  age  ascend 

The  pulpit,  with  his  raiment  changed — His  step 

Was  feeble,  and  infirm,  and  slow ;  and  when 


1  The  lines  referred  to  in  the  above  sketch,  were  taken  from  a  Vermont  paper. 
Mr.  Wilkins  was  83  years,  of  age  when  the  author  heard  him  preach. 


118  HISTORY  OF  THE   PARISH 

He'reached  the  height,  he  sank  as  if  exhausted; 
And  as  he  rose  he  trembled — not  because 
The  eyes  of  mortal  man  were  on  him  fixed; 
Nor  yet  because  he  stood  before  his  God — 
But  yet  he  trembled — age  was  on  his  limbs 
That  half  refused  their  office — but  he  rose, 
A  watchman  on  a  tower  ;  and  you  might  see 
His  reverend  figure,  which  before  was  bent 
With  weight  of  years,  now  animate,  erect, 
And  lifted  to  the  height  of  youthful  prime, 
And  clothed  with  dignity  of  one  that  came 
With  message  from  the  sky.    Slowly  he  strelch'd 
His  trembling  hand,  as  in  affection,  o'er 
The  people  of  his  charge,  and  with  a  voice 
That  faltered,  though  its  aged  tones  were  full, 
Announced  his  text — '  Watchman,  what  of 
the  night  V 

Who  that  hath  seen  a  boy.  green  in  his  youth, 
Whose  soul  of  pure  devotion,  purified 
By  fire  that  burned  on  God's  own  altar,  has 
From  that  holy  thing,  the  pulpit,  shot  down 
On  hoary  heads  beneath  him,  light  from  heaven 
To  guide,  or  terrors  from  the  damned  to  warn: 
Who  that  hath  seen  and  heard  him,  hath  not 
felt 

A  conscious  shuddering  run  thro'  all  his  blood  ? 
But  when  the  Patriarch  of  his  people  rose, 
Whose  foot  was  sinking  in  the  grave  on  which 
It  rested,  while  his  hand  reached  heaven's 
towers, 

To  which  the  hand  of  angels  stretched,  to  lift 
Him,  their  pure  brother,  to  the  skies,  soon  as 
His  work  was  ended  ;  and  when  to  his  text, 
With  tones  almost  unearthly,  that  did  seem 
To  come  from  other  worlds,  the  old  man  gave 
This  answer — '  I,  the  watchman,  tell  you  true, 
The  morning  cometh  and  the  night  also.' 
Ah  say,  what  heart  that  heard  it  did  not  sink 
Within  his  bosom  at  the  threatening  word ! 
O  Watchman,  venerable  man  !  thy  night 
Of  earthly  pilgrimage  must  even  be  past ; 
And  true  thy  morning  cometh,  which  the  night 
Shall  never,  never  darken  or  obscure." 
Rochester,  August.  D.  D.  B.' 

Christian  Journal  No.  12,  Dec.  1826,  p.  400. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  119 

"From  the  year  1S01,  until,  in  1S21,  he  was  obliged,  by  the  in- 
firmities of  age,  to  decline  ;  Dr.  Wilkins  was  uniformly  returned 
as  a  clerical  deputy  from  the  diocese  of  New- York,  to  the  General 
Convention,  and  attended  the  greater  number  of  the  meetings  of 
that  body.  There,  as  in  the  diocesan  convention,  he  was  the  able 
and  enlightened  advocate  of  sound  principles  of  ecclesiastical  pol- 
ity, and  of  such  measures  as  in  his  conscience  he  believed  to  be 
the  most  agreeable  to  them.  Indeed,  never  had  the  Church  a 
more  disinterested  friend.  He  overlooked  ail  selfish  considera- 
tions, tending  either  to  personal  ease,  or  to  the  gratification  of 
receiving  human  commendation  or  applause,  and  went  directly 
to  the  point,  whither  he  thought  himself  drawn  by  duty  and 
by  conscience.  The  strength  of  his  faith,  and  the  clearness  of 
his  religious  views,  were  eminently  conspicuous  during  the  pro- 
gress of  a  most  painful  and  distressing  disorder  towards  its  fatal 
termination.  His  mind  unclouded,  and  his  heart  strengthened 
and  sanctified  by  the  grace  of  God,  he  saw  no  terror  in  death,  but 
anxiously,  and  yet  meekly  and  resignedly,  desired  its  more  speedy 
approach.  The  thought  of  being  soon  translated  to  Paradise 
not  only  soothed  and  supported  him,  but  ministered  to  the  con- 
stitutional and  Christian  cheerfulness  which  had  characterized 
him  through  life.  At  length  the  kind  and  gracious  summons 
came,  and  rarely  has  a  soul  departed  stronger  in  the  faith,  richer 
in  the  hope,  and  more  sincere  and  affectionate  in  the  genuine 
charity,  of  the  Gospel,  than  that  which  then  entered  on  the  great 
salvation  purchased  by  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant."a 

On  April  the  27th,  1S30,  the 

REV.  WILLIAM  POWELL,    B.   A., 

having  been  assistant  minister  to  Dr.  Wilkins,  for  nearly  a  year, 
was  called  to  the  rectorship.  He  was  the  son  of  John  Powell,  of 
Dublin,  Ireland,  whose  family  were  originally  seated  in  Wales. 
He  was  born  in  Dublin,  A.  D.  1788,  where  he  received  his  educa- 
tion, some  say  in  Trinity  College.  In  1808  he  came  tothis  country 
under  the  patronage  and  guardianship  of  a  Mr.  Adamson,  his 

»  Christian  Journal  No.  3,  March,  1830.  p.  94. 


120  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

maternal  uncle,  then  a  respectable  merchant  of  New- York.  He 
studied  divinity  under  the  late  Rev.  Edmund  Barry,  D.  D.  and  was 
ordained  deacon  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Benjamin  Moore,  D.  D.  in  1810. 
He  soon  after  removed  to  the  charge  of  St.  Andrew's  Church, 
Coldenham,  Orange  county,  and  St.  George's  Church,  Newburgh  J 
and  in  the  former,  on  Tuesday,  June  29th,  1813,  was  admitted 
by  the  Right  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  assistant  bishop  of  the  dio- 
cese, to  the  holy  order  of  priests.  In  May,  1816,  he  took  pastoral 
charge  of  St.  John's  Church,  Yonkers,  and  on  the  12th  of 
July,  1829,  settled  as  assistant  minister  in  this  parish,  in  the 
charge  of  which  he  afterwards  remained  as  rector,  until  the  day 
of  his  death.  In  connection  with  his  pastoral  duties,  he  main- 
tained for  many  years,  a  flourishing  school  for  the  education  of 
boys,  from  which  many  have  gone  forth,  who  can  bear  testimo- 
ny to  nis  excellence  and  worth.  "Mr.  Powell  (says  one  who 
knew  him  for  forty-one  years)  was  a  most  sincere  and  devoted 
friend.  He  had  all  the  traits  of  cordiality,  kindness  and  benev- 
olence, so  usually  belonging  to  the  best  of  his  countrymen." — 
He  departed  this  life  on  Sunday,  the  29th  day  of  April,  1849,  at 
the  residence  of  his  brother-in  law,  Stephen  Cambreling,  Esq.,  in 
^ew-York  city.  He  was  the  fourth  minster  that  died  rector  of 
this  parish,  and  the  third  buried  in  this  town.  His  remains  were 
brought  to  Westchester,  and  interred  in  the  grave-yard,  on  the 
south  side  of  St.  Peter's  Church.  The  following  is  the  inscrip- 
tion on  his  tombstone  : — 

Died 

On  the  29th  of  April,  1849, 

the 

REV.   WILLIAM    POWELL, 

Rector  of  the  St.  Peter's  Church, 

Westchester, 

in  the  Gist  year  of  his  age. 


"  Blessed  are  the  dead,  who  die  in  the  Lord  ;  (even  so  saith  the  spirit)  for  they 
rest  from  their  labours." 


St.  Peter's  Church,  Westchester— Erected  A.  D.  1S55. 


Scah  I iniii  -iZj'ni' 

Ground  plan  of  St.  Peter's  Church. 


[To  face  page  131.] 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER. 


121 


The  vacancy  created  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Powell,  the  vestry 
proceeded  immediately  to  fill,  by  electing  the 

REV.  CHARLES  D.  JACKSON,  A.  M. 

at  that  time  assistant  Minister,  to  the  rectorship,  June  28th,  1849. 
Soon  after  his  entrance  on  his  parish  duties,  measures  were  adop- 
ted, for  the  building  of  a  new  parsonage,  on  the  glebe  in  the  place 
of  the  old  one,a  which  was  effected,  at  a  cost  of  six  thousand 
dollars. 

Active  measures  have  also  been  taken,  for  the  erection  of  a  new 
parish  church,  upon  or  near  the  old  site,  towards  which  pious 
work  fifteen  thousand  dollars  have  already  been  contributed. — 
The  work  is  now  under  contract.  The  present  Church  edifice 
was  erected  in  1790,  on~the  site  of  the  old  Church,  and  conse- 
crated upon  the  9th  of  December,  1795,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Samuel 
Provoost,  D.  D.  bishop  of  the  diocese.  It  is  a  neat  wooden  struc- 
ture, surmounted  by  a  cupola.b  The  latter  contains  the  origi- 
nal bell,  presented  to  the  Church,  by  Col.  Lewis  Morris,  of  Mor- 


Rectory  of  St.  Peters   Church. 


»  In  1799,  "  It  was  resolved,  that  the  parsonage  house  and  glebe  be  repaired  by 
the  Churchwardens  as  soon  as  a  fund  be  formed  for  that  purpose." 

b  At  a  vestry  meeting,  17th  January,  1793,  "  It  was  resolved  to  build  a  desk  and 
pulpit  for  the  use  of  the  Church,  correspondent,  with  the  sounding  board  given  to 
this  Church,  by  the  Corporation  of  Trinity  Church,  N.  Y."  On  the  1st  of  August 
1791,  Mr.  Samuel  Bayard  presented  the  silver  oval  seal,  now  used  by  the  Vestry. 


122 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


risania,  in  170G.     Round  the  lip  may  be  traced  in  capital  letters, 
"  Lewis  Morris,  1677.'' 

The  communion  plate  consists  of  a  chalice  and  paten,  the  gift 
of  Queen  Anne,  A.  D.  1706,  inscribed  :*—"  Ann^e  Regijnle." 

This  noble  lady,  who  for  the  Church's  sake,  once  merited  the 
name  of  the  "Good  Queen  Anne,"  also  presented  a  church  bible, 
book  of  homilies,  cloth  for  the  pulpit,  and  communion  table. 


On  the  south  side  of  the  church,  is  a  plain  stone  tablet,  to  the 
memory  of  Dr.  Wilkins.  A  monument  on  the  north  side,  re- 
cords the  death  of  his  wife.a 

Sacred 
to  the  memory 
of 
MRS.  ISABELLA  WILKINS, 
The  humble  handmaid  and 
faithful  worshipper 
of  God 
her  Saviour, 


a  This  lady  was  a  sister  of  Lewis  Morris,  a  signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence.   See  Hist,  of  Westchester,  vol.  ii.  284. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  123 

She  died  the  31st  of  October,  A.  D.  1810, 

in  the  64th  year  ot  her  age, 

and  lies  buried  here. 

This  monumem  in  conjugal  love 

is  raised  and 

inscribed,  by  her  grateful,  faithful  and  affectionate 

husband. 

And  now  Lord  !  what  is  our  hope  1 
Truly  our  hope  is  ever  in  thee. 

In  the  vestry  room  are  memorials  of  the  Hoffman,  Wilkins  and 
Turnbull  families. 

To  St.  Peter's  church  is  attached  a  portion  of  the  old  Glebe, 
which  was  given  by  the  Town  in  1703,  consisting  of  ten  acres, 
and  a  rectory.  The  former  parish  house  or  parsonage,  which  was 
purchased  by  the  vestry  in  1763,  stood  at  no  great  distance  from 
the  present  edifice. 

PRINCIPAL  BENEFACTORS  OF  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH. 

Queen  Anne,  Col.  Benjamin  Fletcher,  Edward  Viscount  Corn- 
bury,  Col.  James  Graham,  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  Col.  Lewis 
Morris,  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  the  Reverend  John 
Bartow,  the  Borough  Town  of  Westchester,  Basil  Bartow,a 
Abijah  Hammond,  George  Lorillard,  and  the  Corporation  of 
Trinity  Church,  New- York.  The  latter  have  made  the  fol- 
lowing liberal  grants  to  this  Church,  viz  :  in  1795,  the  sum  of 
$750 ;  in  1796,  $500,  and  in  1809,  five  lots  of  ground  in  Reade, 
Chamber  and  Warren  streets,  New- York.  The  church  still 
owns  four  of  these  lots,  the  present  value  of  which  is 
$55,000.b     It  deserves  to  be  mentioned,    however,  that    this 

»  Mr.  Bartow,  by  his  will  dated  16th  of  Dec.  1780,  bequeathed  "  unto-  the  Min- 
ister, Churchwardens  and  "Vestrymen  for  the  time  being  of  the  Incorporated  Church 
of  England,  known  by  the  name  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  borough  Town  of 
"Westchester,  the  sum  of  £50  towards  building  anew  church  in  said  borough 
Town,  or  repairing  or  enlarging  the  present  church,  for  the  worship  of  Almighty 
God,  to  be  paid  to  them  when  they  shall  actually  engage  in  said  work."  This 
will  was  proved  on  the  1 1th  of  March,  1784.     Surrogate's  Office,  N.  Y.  Fol.  xxxv 

b  "  In  1807  the  sum  of  $1,950  was  raised  by  St.  Peter's  Church,  tendered  to,  and 
accepted  by  Trinity  Church,  for  the  lots  conveyed  by  their  corporation,  to  the  ves- 
try of  St.  Peter's.  One  of  the  above  lots  was  taken  by  the  Corporationof  N.  Y.,  for 
widening  Chapel  St.,  and  the  award  applied  to  the  erection  of  gallery  pews,  and 
the  carriage  shed. 


124  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

parish  contributed  one  half  of  the  original  value  of  the  lots. 
The  first  delegate  from  this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Conven- 
tion in  1790,  was  Joseph  Brown,  M.  D. 

TOMBSTONES. 

The  churchy? '•'I  wh  with  the  settlement  of  the 

village,  contains  numerous  interments. a  Among  the  earliest  are 
the  following : 

"Here   lyeth   the   body   of  William ,   Esq., aged    50 

years,  deceased  March  27th,  1702.  H.  1718.  P.  B.  o.  1727." 

"  In  memory  of  Philip  Honeywell,  Esq.  He  died  of  a  linger- 
ing illness,  at  Greenburgh,  on  the  8th  day  of  September,  1813, 
in  the  53rd  year  of  his  age.  He  was  an  active  character  during 
the  Revolutionary  War.  He  lived  respected  and  died  regretted. 
Anne  Eustace,  his  wife,  died  May  11,  1811,  setat  50." 

"  Look  on  this  stone  and  you  will  find, 
My  journey's  o'er,  andyour's  behind  ; 
Think  then,  before  you  turn  away, 
That  yours  may  end  before  this  day." 

PEW  HOLDERS  IN  1790. 

The  following  names  appear  on  the  minutes,  of  individuals 
who  purchased  pews  in  August,  1790,  viz. — James  Ferris,  John 
Bartow,  Jr.,  Philip  Livingston,  Stephen  Bartow,  Elizabeth  Har- 
rison, John  Valentine,  Jonathan  Fowler,  William  Hunt,  Marcus 
Baxter,  Solomon  Baxter,  Isaac  Valentine,  Jr.,  Peter  Bussing, 
Elizabeth  Williams,  Augustus  Bartow,  David  Huestace,  Ebene- 
zer  Legget,  Phinehas  Hunt,  Anthony  Bartow,  Israel  Underhill, 


»  John  Ferris,  of  the  Borough  Town  of  Westchester,  in  his  last  will,  dated  9th 
of  May,  1715:  directs :  "As  also  the  land  lying  betwixt  the  Highway  that  leads  to 
Thomas  Haden's  mill,  and  the  way  that  leads  from  Broncke's  to  Henry  Bank's, 
with  a  fifty  pound  privilege  of  commonage,  and  also  all  that  my  land  at  Broncke's 
containing  24  acres,  be  it  more  or  less.  But,  be  it  provided  always,  that  there  shall 
be  a  rod  square,  free,  for  all  friends  and  friendly  people  to  bury  their  dead  in  th 
place  where  they  formerly  buried,  without  any  let,  hindrance,  or  molestation  what 
soever."    Surrogates  Office,  N.  Y.,  folio  viii.  p.  391. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  125 

Anthony  L.  Underhill,  2  seats,  Israel  Underhill,  Israel  Honeywell, 
John  Doty,  Robert  Tucker,  William  Smith,  Thomas  Bartow, 
Benjamin  Roe,  Joseph  Brown,  Lewis  Graham,  Robert  Watts, 
John  Bartow,  Benjamin  Ferris,  Samuel  Bayard,  Warren  de 
Lancey,  2  seats,  Thomas  Hunt,  John  Cox.a 

RECTORES  DE  WEST  CHESTER. 

TEMP.  INST.  KECTORES.  VACAT.  PATRONS. 

19  Nov.  1702,  Rev.  John  Bartow,  CI.  A.  M.  pr  mort.  War.  and  Ves. 

8  July,  1727,  Rev.  Thomas  Standard,  CI.  A.  M.  per  mort.   " 
12  June,  1761,  Rev.  John  Milner,  CI.  A.  M.  per  resig.  " 

3  Dec.  1766,  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury,  CI.  A.  M.     "  " 

2  Jan.  1792,  Rev.  Theodosins  Bartow,  Presb.     "  « 

20  Aug.  1794,  Rev.  John  Ireland,  Presb.  A.  M.  "  " 

9  Mar.  1799,  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins,  Presb.  D.  D.  per  mort.      " 
17  April,  1S30,  Rev.  William  Powell,  Presb.  B.  A.     "  « 
28  June,  1849,  Rev.  Charles  D.  Jackson,  Presb.  A.  M.   present 
incumbent. 


J^.JttJviefc. 


■  With  regard  to  the  rights  of  pew  holders  we  copy  the  following  from  Dr. 
Gregory's  speech,  (in  the  Diocesan  Convention  of  W.  N.  Y.,)  advocating  the 
resolutions  as  reported  in  the  Syracuse  Daily  Star : — "  The  Trustees  of  Churches 
have  no  right  to  sell  pews.  If  they  pretend  to  give  deeds  of  sale  by  which  pews 
are  conveyed  in  fee  to  individuals,  such  deeds  are  no  better  than  blank  paper, 
(see  Barbour's  Supreme  Court  Reports,  viii.,  135.)  The  only  right  that  can  be  ac- 
quired, is  the  right  for  a  compensation  to  occupy  a  certain  seat  during  the  public 
worship. 

The  Vestry  or  Trustees  retain  the  right  to  alter  or  even  destroy  the  seat  for  the 
good  of  the  congregation.  The  seats,  therefore,  can  only  be  rented  or  hired  for  a 
term  of  years.  The  lessee  has  no  absolute  property  in  his  pew,  and  no  right  to 
shut  it  up,  or  to  exclude  others  from  it  when  not  occupied  by  himself." 

b  Extract  from  the  Admission  Book  of  Christ's  College,  Cambridge,  1G89.  "  Jan. 
31.  mo.  Joannes  Bartow,  Thomae  filius  in  lucem  editus  apud  Crediton  in  Comi- 
tatu  Devoniensi  Uteris  ibidem  institutus  a  Mro.  Gregory  annos  natus  sedecem. 
Admissus  Sizator  sub  Mro.  Lovett." 


126 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 
NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 


A.  D.  1703.  Baptisms,  50. 


Communicants,  12. 


(( 

1710, 

(t 

41, 

u 

(1 

1728, 

(i 

52, 

It 

30. 

U 

1761, 

(C 

47, 

u 

16 

(C 

1763, 

t( 

.87, 

(( 

53. 

('. 

1774, 

(( 

49, 

CI 

25. 

11 

1806, 

u 

18, 

(( 

40, 

a 

1815, 

a 

14, 

c 

60, 

(1 

1832, 

u 

28, 

u 

46, 

(( 

1844, 

tt 

13, 

it 

40, 

[< 

1852, 

u 

32, 

u 

100. 

The  Baptismal  Register  of  this  Parish  commences  in  1703. 
March  4th.  1702.,  then  baptized  by  Mr.  John  Bartow,  Rector  of 
West  Chester,  John  Raden,  aged  41  years ;  John  Haden,  son 
of  said  John  Haden,  aged  17  years  ;  Abagail  Haden,  aged  16 
years  ;  Samuel  Haden,  aged  13  years;  Thomas  Haden,  aged  8 
years ;  Elizabeth  Haden,  aged  11  years  ;  Joseph  Haden,  aged  1 
year  and  7  months,  &c,  &c. 


THE  SOCIETY'S  SCHOOLMASTERS  AT  WESTCHESTER. 


TIME  OF  APPT. 


1710, 
1713, 
1719, 
1743, 
1764, 
1768, 
1774, 


SCHOOLMASTERS. 

SALARY. 

Daniel  Clarke, 

£18 

per  annum, 

Charles  Glover, 

u 

« 

William  Forster, 

£10 

u 

Basil  Bartow, 

a 

u 

Nathaniel  Seabury, 

a 

a 

George  Youngs, 

a 

iC 

Mr.  Gott, 

u 

u 

NOTITIA  SCHOLASTIC  A. 

1719,  Number  of  Scholars, 
1721,  «  « 


35. 

30. 


AND  CHURCH  OF   WESTCHESTER.  127 

In  1703  the  number  of  families  belonging  to  this  Parish,  were 
40  or  50.     In  1724  they  were  computed  at  200. 

In  1702,  the  number  of  inhabitants  were  200. 

«  1712,             "                    "  572. 

"  1S40,  (prior  to  its  division)  4,154. 

"  1S50,  (since  the  division)  2,443  • 

NAMES   OF  PERSONS  WHO   HAVE  BEEN   ELECTED 
WARDENS  OF  ST.  PETERS  CHURCH. 

1695  to  1701. 

Caleb  Heathcote,  Edward  Waters. 

1702. 
Caleb  Heathcote,  Josiah  Hunt. 

1703. 
James  Graham,  Josiah  Hunt. 

1704. 
John  Drake,  Daniel  Clark. 

1705. 
Henry  Fowler,  Daniel  Clark.     .,.; 

1706. 
John  Drake,  Josiah  Hunt,  Sen. 

1707. 
Josiah  Hunt,  Sen.  John  Drake. 

1708. 
Josian  Hunt,  Sen.  Edmund  Ward. 

1709. 

Daniel  Clark,  Jeremiah  Fowler. 

1710  to  1721. 

Joseph  Hunt,  Jeremiah  Fowler. 

No  records  from  1721  to  1761. 
[1761. 
Samuel  Sneden,  John  Hunt. 

1762. 
Isaac  Willett,  Nathaniel  Underhill  sen. 


12$  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

>~;  records  from       ;  .i^til  the  close  of  die  " 

Trustees  from     1788  :    1795 
1795. 
Israel  Undei  Philip  I.  Livingston. 

i:: 

Philir  I.  Livingston,  Israel  Underhill. 

1797. 
Israel  Underbill,  Samuel  Bayard. 

1796 

Isrnei  Unif.'.  N::i::^sBr" 

179a 

Israel  Underhill,  Phiiir  I.  Livingston. 

1800-1 
PinLij  I  L: fingsl  Israel  Underhill. 

1802. 
Israel  Underhill,  Philip  I.  Livingston. 

I E : 3-4. 
Israel  Underhill,  is, 

1805. 
lames  Ifforris,  R: ';     :  *•".- ::;. 

18  B-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14 
Robert  Watts,  1 1  ..is. 

181546-17-18-1   -2 
Jame  s  Morris,  A';  :;ii:  Hammond. 

1821-2. 
Jamc  :  Hon  Josfaoa  Waidington. 

:s:: 

Joshua  Wa  -  James  Morris. 

1824-5-6-7. 

i  Jzshua  Waddington. 

1828-9. 

Abijah  Hammond,  George  Lorillard. 

183 
George  L  Robert  Morris. 

1S32. 
Ab ij  afa  H  immond,  Robert  Mo:: i  a . 

1S33. 

R: ;■=:-.  ?:  Valentine  Nutter. 


ASD  CHTECH  OF  WESTCHESTER.  129 

1534-5-6. 

Valentine  Nutter,  Robert  Morris. 

1S37  to  1840. 
Francis  Baretto,  Richard  Hunt. 

1840  to  1S43. 
Francis  Baretto.  James  DeWolfe. 

1543  to  1844. 

Francis  Baretto.  Robert  R.  Morris. 

1544  to  1850. 

Francis  Baretto.  Elnathan  HawLois. 

1850  to  1553. 
Francis  Baretto,  Gouverneur  M.  Wilkins. 


Sealoj  St.  Peter 's  Ctiurch.jjnserdedhy  Samuel IBaymrd  M       A  Z 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AID  CHURCH 

OF    RYE. 


This  parish,  which  formerly  included  the  three  townships  of 
Rye,  Bedford  and  JVlamaroneck,  was  originally  embraced  in 
the  great  purchase  of  "  Ubiequaeshook,"  or  "  Weckquaskeck,"* 
made  by  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  of  the  Indians,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1640.  "  In  order  (says  the  historian  of  the 
State)  to  maintain  the  character  and  privileges,  of  the  West 
India  Company,  Kieft  dispatched  secretary  Van  Tienhoven,  early 
in  the  spring  of  1640,  with  instructions  to  purchase  the  '  Ar- 
chipelago,' or  group  of  islands,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Norwalk  Rive^ 
together  with  all  the  adjoining  territory  on  the  main  land,  and 
to  erect  thereon,  the  standard  and  arms  of  the  High  and  Mighty 
Lords,  the  States  General ;  to  take  the  savages  under  our  protec- 
tion ;  and  to  prevent  effectually,  any  other  nation  encroaching 
on  our  limits.  These  directions  were  executed,  and  the  West 
India  Company  thus  obtained  the  Indian  title  to  all  the  lands, 
between  Norwalk  and  the  North  River,  comprehending  much 
of  the  present  County  of  Westchester."b 

The  aborigines  however,  still  continued  to  maintain  posses- 
sion, for  in  the  year  1660,  the  lands  of  Rye  or  Poningoe,  were  in 
the  tenour  of  "Shanasockwell"  or  "  Shanorocke"  (as  he  subse- 
quently signed  his  name,)  an  independent  chieftain  of  theSiwa- 


»  Weckquaskeck  (in  pure  Algonquin  Weec — quaes — guck)  signifies  the  place 
of  the  bark  kettle.  In  the  Delaware  language  Wi — qua — jeek,  denotes  the  head 
of  a  creek  or  run. 

k  Brodhead's  History  of  the  State  ofNew-York,  First  Period,  1609—1664,  p.  296. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  131 

noys,  whose  clan  formed  a  portion,  if  not  one  of  the  Mohegan 
tribes  itself,  of  the    "  Seacoast." 

Poningoe,  the  Indian  name  of  Rye,  is  supposed  to  be  derived 
from  Ponus,  the  title  of  an  early  aboriginal  proprietor  of  this 
territory.  The  final  termination  oe  or  ong,  denoting  locality. — 
Thus  the  whole  word  may  emphatically  express  the  place  or 
locality,  of  that  sachem's  residence. 

It  was  not  until  ten  years  after  the  provisional  arrangement 
of  boundaries  between  New  Netherland  and  New  England,  by 
Governour  Stuyvesant,  and  the  New  England  Commissioners  in 
1650,  that  a  permanent  settlement  was  made  in  Rye,  by  a  num- 
ber of  Puritans  from  the  east. 

On  the  29th  day  of  June,  1660,  John  Coe,  Peter  Disbrow  and 
Thomas  Stud  well,  purchased  the  Island  of  Menne  wies  or  Manus- 
sing,  of  the  Indian  Sagamore,  Shanasockwell  and  other  In- 
dians, for  eight  coats,  seven  shirts,  and  fifteen  fathom  of  wam- 
pum. 

To  the  Island  village,  its  new  proprietors  gave  the  name  of 
Hastings.  Purchases  on  the  main  soon  followed,  and  the  village 
of  Rye  was  commenced  in  1663. 

In  the  year  1683,  Rye  was  annexed  to  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  but  it  was  not  till  1731,  that  the  lines  between  the  two 
colonies  were  established  as  they  now  exist. 

The  first  religious  society  of  Rye  was  Congregational,  at  that 
time,  the  established  religion  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut. 

"  Rye  and  Westchester,"  says  Humphreys,  "  as  soon  as  they  had 
fixed  the  civil  magistracy,  they  did  establish  a  public  worship 
of  God  ;  and  suitable  to  this  prudent,  as  well  as  religious  proce- 
dure, the  Colony  throve  apace,  &c.  But  when  the  Independents 
found  themselves  fixed  in  power,  they  began  to  enact  a  rigid  con- 
formity to  their  manner  of  worship.  Men  of  all  persuasions  but 
their  own,  were  styled  opprobiously  sectaries,  and  tho'  they  had 
declared  at  first  for  moderation,  and  a  general  liberty  of  consci- 
ence, they,  notwithstanding,  banished  and  drove  out  of  the  coun- 
try the  Quakers,  the  Antiiiomian  and  Familistical  Parties."* 

*  An  Historical  account  of  the  Incorporated  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the 
Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  &c.  by  David  Humphreys,  D.  D.  Sec.  to  the  Honorable 
Society.    London,  printed  by  Joseph  Downing,  MDCCXXX. 


13^  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

"  By  authority  it  had  been  enacted  that  no  persons  within  the 
colony  should  embody  themselves  in  church  estate  without  the 
consent  of  the  general  court.  The  law  also  prohibited  any  minis- 
try being  attended  by  the  inhabitants,  in  any  plantation  distinct 
and  separate  from  that  which  was  established  in  the  place ;  ex- 
cept by  the  approbation  of  the  general  court  and  the  neighbouring 
churches.  One  object  of  these  laws  was  doubtless  to  prevent 
Baptists,  Episcopalians  and  others  from  gaining  a  foothold."a 

"  As  early  asS1660,"  says  the  historian  Trumbull,  "  Rye  paid  taxes 
for  the  support  of  religion,  although  no  church  was  formed,  nor 
pastors  ordained.  Greenwich  and  Rye,  continues  the  same 
authorily.  "  were  but  just  come  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Connec- 
ticut, and  not  in  circumstances  for  the  support  of  ministers ;  they 
had  occasional  preaching  only  for  a  considerable  time."b 

"At  a  town  meeting,  held  in  Rye,  November  17th,  1670,  the 
town  made  choice  of  Joseph  Horton,  Thomas  Brown,  and  John 
Brondig,  who  are  to  do  their  endeavour  to  procure  a  minister." 
It  was  also  agreed,  for  to  allow  "two  pence  in  the  pound  for  the 
maintenance  of  a  minister  amongst  us  ;  that  is  to  say  an  ortho- 
dox minister."0  From  the  following  document,  however,  it  appears 
that  the  town  had  not  succeeded  in  procuring  a  minister  : — "  May 
the  11th,  1671,  at  a  Court  of  Assembly  holden  at  Hartford,  Captain 
Nathan  Gold,  Thomas  Fitch,  Mr.  Holly,  Lieut.  Richard  Olm- 
stead,  and  Mr.  John  Burr,  they,  or  any  three  of  them,  are  desired 
to  repair  to  the  said  Rye,  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  to  endeavour 
a  comfortable  composure  and  issue  of  such  differences  as  are 
among  the  people  there,  and  to  use  their  endeavours  in  procuring 
a  minister,  and  comfortably  settling  of  him  in  the  plantation  of 
Rye.  Then  the  Court  doth  empower  the  aforesaid  committee  to 
agree  with  a  suitable  man  for  that  work  in  that  place,  and  to 
agree  with  him  for  maintenance  to  the  value  of  £40  per  annum, 
which  the  Treasurer,  by  warrant  to  the  Constable  of  said  Rye, 


»  Lambert's  History  of  New  Haven,  p.  189. 
b  Trumbull's  History  of  Connecticut,  p.  300. 
•  Town  Records  of  Rye. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  133 

shall  order  for  the  gathering  and  payment  thereof  with   the 
county  rate."a 

On  the  8th  of  October,  1674;  the  General  Court  again  em- 
powered Captain  John  Allyn,  Mr.  James  Bishop,  Major  Robert 
Treat,  with  Mr.  Gold,  "  to  endeavour  also  the  obliging  and  settling 
of  a  minister  at  Rye."b 

"  At  a  Court,  holden  at  Hartford,  May  17th,  1675,  Major  Nathan 
Gold,  Major  Robert  Treat,  and  Mr.  John  Burr  were  nominated 
and  appointed  a  committee  to  treat  with  the  inhabitants  of  Rye 
and  those  concerned  in  lands  there,  and  labour  to  accommodate 
matters,  as  that  there  may  be  suitable  encouragement  for  Mr. 
Prudden  to  settle  in  the  ministry,  and  such  other  suitable  inhabi- 
tants with  him  as  may  promote  the  settlement  of  said  town  of 
Rye  and  the  ministry  therein  ;  and  if  they  shall  find  any  averse- 
ness  or  difficulty  with  the  inhabitants  or  proprietors,  in  so  just 
and  necessary  publique  good  of  the  town,  "they  are  empowered 
to  doe  what  they  see  meet  for  the  end  aforesaid,  and  make  re- 
port to  the  Court  in  October  next,  for  approbation ;  and  for  the 
encouragement  of  the  ministry  at  Rye,  this  Court,  for  this  year, 
grants  them  a  penny  of  the  pound  upon  all  the  ratable  estate 
of  their  town,  to  be  pay'd  out  of  their  county  rate,  and  shall  be 
ready  as  need  requires  to  continue  such  necessary  encourage- 
ment as  they  shall  judge  suitable."0 

Upon  the  27th  May,  1675,  the  town  ordered  that  the  home  lot 
of  Peter  Disbrow,  adjoining  Timothy  Knapp,  be  taken  by  the 
town  in  exchange  for  the  land  by  the  Blind  brook,  south  of 
Jacob  Bridge's.  The  above  lot  to  be  for  Mr.  Peter  Prudden  for 
a  parsonage  lot;  if  not  thus  disposed  of,  this  agreement  to  be 
void. 

February  26th,  1676.    The  town  released  Peter  Disbrow'slot 
and  cancelled  the  above  agreement. 

February  26th,  1677.     John  Brundige  and  John  Purdy,  were 
empowered  to  sell  the  frame  intended  for  a  parsonage  house. 

The  same  year  the  Rev.  Thomas  Denham  appears  to  have 


■  Hartford  Col.  Rec.  vol.  iii.  p.  12. 
k  Hartford  (J->1.  Rec.  vol.  iii.  p.  53. 
•  Hartford  Coi.  Rec.  vol.  iii.  p.  59. 


134  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

been  minister  here  ;  for,  June  15th,  a  house  lot  is  ordered  for  Mr. 
Thomas  Denham,  and  on  the  22d  of  November,  following,  we 
find  the  same  individual  admitted  an  inhabitant  of  the  townof 
Rye.  "  June  21st,  1678,  Mr.  Thomas  Denham  is  to  have  all  the 
grass  on  the  high-way,  at  the  old  town,  besides  an  equal  share 
with  the  proprietors  of  Poningoe  neck." 

March  5th,  1679.  "  50  poles  of  land  lying  before  his  door,  to- 
ward the  brook,  are  granted  to  Mr.  Thomas  Denham,  and  the 
ensuing  year  he  is  to  have  all  the  grass  on  the  highway  at  the 
first  of  the  old  town  lots  ;  also  £30  allowed  for  his  maintenance."' 
The  General  Court  of  Connecticut,  on  the  14th  of  October,  1680, 
ordered  :  "that  thirty  pounds  per  annum,  agreed  by  Rye  to  be 
paid  to  the  minister,  Mr.  Denham.  shall  be  gathered  by  the 
Constable  with  the  County  rate,  in  the  same  specie  and  prices 
as  the  County  rate,  and  by  him  to  be  paid  to  the  said  minis- 
ter."1' A.  D.  1682,  the  town  confirmed  the  sum  of  £30  as  a 
salary  to  Mr.  Denham  and  ordered  the  same  to  be  paid  in  pro- 
visions. 

In  1684,  Mr.  John  Woodbridge  was  minister  here  ;  but  he 
must  have  resigned  in  1687 ;  for  the  historian  Trumbull,  in- 
forms us,  that  about  the  year  1688,  the  Rev.  John  Bowers,  re- 
moved lrom  Derby,  and  settled  at  Rye.c 


»  May  10,  1680  ;  "  The  Town  agree  to  allow  £30  to  Mr.  Thomas  Denham,  for 
his  maintenance,  for  this  year  ensueing,  and  to  be  gathered  in  way  of  rate,  pro- 
vided the  said  Mr.  Denham  continue  amongst  us  and  preach  the  Gospel."  Town 
Rec.  p.  44.  March  1681-2.  "  The  Town  gave  Timothy  Knapp,  40  shillings  for  the 
liberty  of  his  house,  to  meet  in,  and  for  beating  of  the  drum,  for  the  time  past." — 
Town  Rec.  p.  53.  June  23.  1681.  "  The  proprietors  of  Poningoe  neck,  granted 
to  Mr.  Thomas  Denham,  all  the  moveable  grass  in  the  highway,  lying  by  the  old 
town,  so  called,  so  long  as  the  said  Mr.  Denham  shall  continue  a  preacher  of  the 
Gospel  amongst  us,  &c. — and  £-20  to  be  paid  him,  upon  the  1st  of  March,  next 
ensueing  this  date  ;  as  our  maintenance  to  the  minister."    Town  Rec.  p.  54. 

b  Hartford  Col.  Rec.  vol.  iii.  p.  59. 

•  Trumbull's  Hist,  of  Connecticut,  523.  The  Rev.  John  Bowers  graduated  at 
Harvard  College,  in  1649. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE,  135 

April  22d,  1690,  Capt.  Horton,  Joseph  Theall,  and  John  Bron- 
dig,  were  chosen  by  the  Town  to  procure  a  minister,  and  if 
possible,  a  school  master.1 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1693,  by  an  act  of  General  Assembly, 
approved  and  ratified  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the  Governour 
of  the  province,  it  was  ordered,  that  "there  shall  be  called,  in- 
ducted and  established,  a  good,  sufficient  Protestant  minister,  to 
officiate  and  have  the  care  of  souls,  within  one  year  next,  and 
after  the  publication  hereof,  that  is  to  say  :  In  the  city  of  New- 
York  one  ;  the  county  of  Richmond  one  ;  in  the  county  of  West- 
chester two ;  one  to  have  the  care  of  Westchester,  Eastchester, 
Yonkers  and  the  manor  of  Pelham  ;  the  other  to  have  the  care 
of  Rye,  Mamaroneck,  and  Bedford,  &c,  &c.b 

On  the  27th  of  June,  1693,  Capt.  Horton.  Joseph  Theall,  John 
Brondig,  Hachaliah  Brown,  George  Lane,  and  Timothy  Knapp, 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  procure  a  minister  as  soon  as 
possible.0  The  people  doubtless  were  becoming  alarmed,  lest 
the  Governour  should  nominate  under  the  new  act. 

Upon  the  26th  of  February,  1694,  it  was  ordered,  "  that  the 
Townsmen  make  a  rate  to  defray  the  expense  of  repairing  the 
parsonage  house.** 

Pursuant  to  the  act  of  Assembly,  passed  in  1693,  a  town  meet- 
ing was  held  February  28th,  1694-5,  by  virtue  of  a  warrant 
granted  by  Justice  Theall  ;  when  George  Lane  and  John  Bron- 
dig were  elected  Churchwardens,  and  Jonathan  Hart,  Joseph 
Horton,  Joseph  Purdy,  Timothy  Knapp,  Hachaliah  Brown, 
Thomas  Merritt,  Deliverance  Brown  and  Isaac  Denham,  Vestry- 
men, the  two  last  being  chosen  for  Bedford.4 


'  "At  a  Town  meeting  held  in  Rye,  April  22d,  1690,  at  which  Town  meeting 
they  did  manifest  their  desire  for  the  procuring  of  a  minister  amongst  ihem,  and 
in  order  thereunto,  have  made  choice  of  Captain  Horton,  Joseph  Theall,  and 
John  Brondig.  who  are  to  enquire  and  endeavour  the  best  they  can,  for  the  pro- 
viding of  a  minister  for  the  Town  aforesaid" — Town  Rec.  p.  74. 

k  Laws  of  New- York,  vol.  1.  chap,  xxxvi. 

•  The  original  resolution  reads  thus : — "  as  a  committee  to  take  care  for  the  pro- 
curing of  a  minister,  with  what  speed  they  can  for  us."    Town  Rec.  p.  76. 

'  Ibid. 

•Ibid.  78. 


1 36  -HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

"  On  the  27th  of  May,  1697.  Deliverance  Brown,  John  Frost,  John 
Lyon  and  Jonathan  Hart,  were  chosen  in  the  Town  behalf,  to 
discourse  Mr.  Woodbridge,  concerning  his  settling  amongst  us."a 
The  difference  among  the  people,  however,  in  the  selection  of  a 
pastor,  appears  to  have  continued,  for  on  the  22nd  of  July,  1697, 
another  committee,  consisting  of  Capt.  Theall,  Hachaliah  Brown, 
George  Lane  and  Thomas  Merritt,  were  chosen  by  vote,  "  for  the 
procuring  of  a  minister  for  the  town  of  Rye."b 

Upon  the  16th  of  June,  A.  D.  1701,  the  act  for  incorporating 
the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts, 
was  procured  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Bray,  D.  D.,  and  several  others 
who  felt  a  deep  interest  in  the  religious  welfare  of  the  colonies, 
through  the  agency  of  Archbishop  Tennison  and  Bishop  Comp- 
ton.      The  year  following,  the  R,e v.  John  Bartow,  was  licensed 
by  the  latter  prelate   to  officiate  as  a  Missionary  at  Rye.     In  re- 
gard to  this  appointment,  which  had  been  made  at  the  earnest 
solicitation  of  the  people  of  Rye,  Col.  Heathcote  writing  to  the 
Venerable  Society,  April  10th,  1701,  observes  : — <cThat  I  did  in 
October  last,  give  my  Lord  of  London  my  reasons  for  the  neces- 
sity of  his  (Mr.  Bartow's)  being  settled  at  Westchester,  the  people 
in  that  place  having  been  the  first  in  this  County,  who  desired 
a  minister  of  the  Church,  and  being  disappointed,  might  have 
been  of  ill  consequence,  for  no  sooner  was  Mr.  Bartow  arrived 
but  ye  vestry  immediately  came  to  me  and  gave  me  no  rest  until 
I  consented  to  use  my  interest  with  my  Lord  Cornbury,  to  have 
him  inducted  there,  and  the  inhabitants  of  Rye  supposing  West- 
chester was  first  to  be  supplied,  were  easy  in  that  matter,  there 
being  on  one  hand  no  fear  of  disobliging  the  people  of  Rye,  and 
on  the  other  great  danger  of  hurting  the  interest  of  the  Church 
at  Westchester ;  I  desired  my  Lord  Cornbury   to  induct  him 
there  &c."c     Dr.  Humphreys,    in  his  historical  account  of  the 
Society,  prior  to  1728,  says : — "  The  act  of  1693,  did  not  take  ef- 
fect till  about  the  year  1702,  nor  was  the  provision  made  there- 


■  Town  Rec.  p.  78. 

k  Ibid. 

•  See  original  letter  in  Westchester  Parish. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  137 

by,  a  sufficient  maintenance  for  the  ministers  in  country  towns. 
These  applied  to  the  Society  for  help  ;  particularly  the  inhabi- 
tants of  Westchester,  were  very  pressing  for  a  minister.  Earnest 
memorials  were  sent  from  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle,  from 
those  of  Jamaica,  and  Hempstead,  towns  in  Long  Island  ;  from 
Staten  Island,  and  from  Rye  ;  and  their  desires  have  been  com- 
plied with,  and  missionaries  sent  to  those  places. a 

Mr.  Bartow  having  accepted  the  call  and  been  inducted  to 
Westchester ;  the  vacant  mission  of  Rye  was  now  offered  by 
Bishop  Compton  to  the 

REV.  THOMAS  PRITCHARD,  A.  M.,b 

a  young  gentleman  in  holy  orders.  He  was  born  in  Wales,  about 
1672,  and  descended  from  the  family  of  the  Pritchard's  of  Camp- 
stone,  in  Monmouthshire.  He  was  educated,  mostpro  bably,  in 
the  University  of  Cambridge.  Mr.  Pritchard  was  pleased  to  ac- 
cept the  appointment,  and  immediately  sailed  for  New-York, 
where  he  arrived  some  time  in  the  month  of  April  1704.  Col. 
Heathcote,  the  senior  warden  of  the  parish,  writing  to  the  Vener- 
able Society  the  10th  of  April.  1704,  says  : — "  Since  writing  the 
former  part  of  this  letter,  and  whilst  it  was  waiting  for  a  passage, 
Mr.  Pritchard  is  arrived,  whom  my  Lord  of  London  has  directed 
to  officiate  in  Rye  Parish  ;  he  is  a  promising  young  gent,  and  I 
question  not,  but  will,  with  God's  assistance,  do  great  service  to 
the  Church.  He  shall  not  want  any  thing  I  can  do  for  him,  to 
make  his  pilgrimage  easy,  nor  my  advice  which  I  can  give  him 
to  answer  the  end  of  his  coming." 


■  Humphreys  Hist.  Account  of  the  Ven.  Prop.  Society,  &c.  p.  28. 

b  The  Venerable  Thomas  Pritchard,  Archdeacon  of  Landaffe,  who  suffered  and 
died  under  Cromwell's  usurpation,  was  of  this  family.  Walker's  sufferings  of  the 
Clergy.  A.  D.  11th  Nov.  1660,  Thomas  Pritchard,  Subsiz.  Mr.  Bainbrigg.  Ex- 
tract from  the  Admission  Book  of  Trinity  College,  Cambridge.  Thomas  Pritch- 
ard of  Trinity  College,  took  his  B.  A.  Degree  in  1665,  and  his  M.  A.  in  1669- 
Another  of  the  same  name,  also  of  Trinity  Col.  received  his  B.  A.  degree  in  1674, 
and  his  M.  A.  in  1678.  Lists  of  Cambridge  graduates.  The  arms  of  the  Pritch- 
ards  are  : — Barry  of  six  or  and  az,  on  a  chief  of  the  first  three  pallets  betw.  two  es- 
quires, base,  dexter  and  sinister,  of  the  second,  an  innescocheon  ar.  Crest — an  arm, 
ppr..  holding  a  battle  axe,  handle  gu. 


138  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  Rev.  John  Bartow,  writing  to  the  same  on  the  24th  of  May, 
1704,  says  : — "  I  have  only  time  to  tell  you  that  Mr.  Pritchard  is 
arrived,  and  fixed  at  Rye,  to  the  general  satisfaction  of  the  people 
there."a 

The  following  mandate  was  issued  for  his  induction  by  Gov- 
ernor Combury,  in  April  1704  : 

ORDER  TO  INDUCT  REV.  THOMAS  PRITCHARD  TO  THE 
RECTORY  OF  RYE. 

"  Edward  Viscount  Combury,  Capt.  Gen.  and  Governour  in  Chief  of  the  Provin- 
ces of  New- York,  New-Jersey,  &c,  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same  : 

To  all  and  singular  Rectors,  Vicars,  Chaplains,  Curates,  Clerks  and  ministers, 
wheresoever  constituted  in  ye  said  Province  of  New- York,  and  also  to  Caleb 
Heathcote,  Esq.  and  Joseph  Theall,  Churchwardens  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Rye, 
in  the  County  of  Westchester ;  I  do  hereby  firmly  enjoyne  and  command  that  you 
induct  and  present  the  Rev.  Thomas  Pritchard,  as  Rector  to  ye  Rectory  or  Parish 
Church  of  Rye  aforesaid,  and  that  you  put  him  in  the  real,  actual  and  corpo- 
ral possession  of  the  said  Rectory  or  Parish  Church  of  Rye  aforesaid,  and  of  all 
the  Glebes,  Rights,  and  appurtenances  thereunto  belonging  ;  and  you  are  to  make 
a  return  to  me  of  what  you  shall  have  done  herein.  Given  under  my  hand  and 
prerogative  Seal  of  ye  said  Province  of  New- York,   this  day  of 

1704."fc 

The  subjoined  letter  from  Col.  Heathcote  to  the  Secretary  of 
the  Venerable  Society,  shows  the  deep  interest  the  former  took 
in  promoting  the  Church's  welfare. 

COL.  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

New-  York,  1st  June,  1704. 
Sir: 
"  I  troubled  you  with  a  very  long  letter  by  the  Virginia  Fleet, 
wherein  amongst  many  other  of  those  thoughts,  I  gave  you 
as  my  opinion  for  the  best  means  of  Propagating  the  Gospel  in 
these  parts  of  the  world,  that  every  minister  who  is  sent  over 
on  that  errand,  should  after  having  been  some  time  in  his  Parish 
send  the  Society  an  exact  list  of  his  Parishioners,  distinguishing 
them  under  three  several  heads,  as  first,  how  many  are  communi- 

■  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  vol.  iii.  p.  932. 

fc  "  Rye  is  served  by  Mr.  Pritchard,  lately  arrived,  (a  very  young  man,)  here  is 
no  Church  built  as  yet."    N.  Y.  M.  S.  S.  vol.  i.  p.  44. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  139 

cants:  secondly,  howmany  come  to  hear  him  who  are  not  so;  and 
thirdly,  those  which  wholly  dissent  from  the  church  ;  and  that 
they  should  be  also  directed  to  use  their  best  endeavours  in  their 
private  conversation  with  the  people,  to  persuade  those  who  come 
to  hear  him,  which  are  regular  in  their  lives,  and  do  not  receive 
the  sacrament,  to  come  to  the  communion,  and  to  use  the  like 
diligence  in  persuading  such  who  where  wholly  Dissenters,  to 
conform,  and  every  six  months  at  least,  to  give  an  account  what 
progress  they  make  therein,  by  which  means  the  Society  would 
have  a  true  account  of  the  service  which  is  done  by  those  they 
send  over.  I  have  since  spent  some  further  thought  concerning 
that  matter,and  in  my  opinion  it  would  be  likewise  very  needfull 
for  them  to  send  an  accouut  of  all  in  their  Parish,  both  young  and 
old,  which  are,  and  which  are  not  baptized,  being  strictly  order- 
ed to  use  their  best  endeavours,  to  persuade  those  of  riper  years 
to  come  to  the  baptism,  and  others  which  have  children  to  have 
them  christened,  returning  likewise  an  account  of  their  success 
therein,  every  six  months.  It  would  not  likewise  be  amiss,  that 
directions  were  given,  that  there  should  be  four  quarterly  meet- 
ings of  the  clergy,  annually,  two  in  Westchester  County,  and 
Queens  County  two;  thesecounties  being  contiguous  ;  who  by 
their  preachings,  resolving  of  doubts,  and  other  ways,  would  not 
only  be  of  considerable  service,  but  might  at  those  meetings,  ta- 
king to  their  assistance  the  best  of  the  people,  consider  of  the  best 
and  most  effectual  ways  to  propagate  the  Church,  transmitting 
to  the  Society  an  exact  account  of  their  proceedings  at  every 
meeting. — Sir,  to  be  plain  and  free  with  you  herein,  if  a  more 
than  ordinary  care  be  not  taken  in  these  matters,  to  keep  those 
gents  to  their  duty,  which  are  sent  over,  that  they  may  carry  on 
that  great  work  with  the  zeal  and  earnestness,  they  ought ;  the 
money  which  is  expended  thereon  will  be  little  better  than  squan- 
dered away,  and  in  this  I  take  my  measures  from  what  1  have  al- 
ready observed,  and  if  the  Society  are  pleased  to  direct  accounts, 
to  be  sent  them  for  the  time  past,  according  to  the  rules  I  have 
laid  down,  they  will  find  what  I  say  to  be  truth.  I  did  in  my  last, 
acquaint  you  that  I  would  put  forward  a  school  in  Westchester 
County,  which  I  hope  in  a  few  months  to  inform  you  I  have  done, 


140  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

having  the  promise  of  an  extraordinary  good  man  for  a  school- 
master, one  who  is  not  only  very  firm  to  the  Church,  but  I  am 
sure  will  be  indefatigable  to  instill  those  principles  into  the  youth 
and  children,  of  whom  the  greatest  hopes  are,  I  believe.  At  first 
setting  out  it  will  be  attended  with  some  difficulties,  that  I  beg 
the  favour  of  you  to  move  the  Society,  that  tliey  would  be  pleased 
(until  such  time  as  we  are  able  to  carry  it  on  without  help)  to 
give  us  £16  a  year,  or  what  they  shall  think  convenient  towards 
maintaining  of  the  schoolmaster,  and  I  will  take  care  with  the 
blessing  of  Almighty  God,  to  make  it  as  useful  as  I  can  to  the 
church,  and  that  satisfactory  accounts  shall  be  sent  over,  how 
the  same  is  employed  and  what  good  is  done  for  it;  and  I  pray 
you  likewise,  to  move  that  some  catechisms  and  prayer  books  be 
sent  over  for  the  scholars.  Sir,  the  people  of  Westchester  county 
are  more  generally  English  than  they  are  in  any  country  of  the 
government,  and  although  there  is  not  at  present,  above  2000  souls 
in  it,  yet  it  contains  a  very  great  body  of  land,  and  generally  the 
best  I  have  seen  in  any  of  these  parts.  That  time  will  make 
it  a  very  great  peopled  county,  that  were  the  Church  with  chris- 
tian schools  well  settled  in  its  minority,  it  would  in  future  ages 
probably  bear  no  other  spirit. 

Sir,  I  hope  you  will  be  pleased  to  pardon  the  freedom  I  have 
taken,  and  to  believe  that  nothing  but  my  zeal  to  the  church, 
would  have  made  me  thus  troublesome,  and  that  I  am.  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  Servant, 

Caleb  Heathcote."* 

The  school  alluded  to  in  the  foregoing  letter,  was  soon  after 
organized  at  Rye,  and  Mr.  Joseph  Cleator,  appointed  School- 
master by  Col.  Heathcote.  The  Society  also  at  once  acted  upon 
the  request  made  them,  and  granted  the  sum  of  £15  per  annum 
for  his  maintenance.  In  1706-7,  "  the  inhabitants  and  freehold- 
ers of  the  towns  of  Rye  and  Mamaroneck,  in  the  Province  of 
New- York,  became  humble  supplicants  to  the  Lord  Bishop  of 


■  New- York  M,  S.  S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  30-31-32.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EYE.  141 

London,  that  Joseph  Cleator,  whose  affairs  required  his  attend- 
ance in  England,  might  obtain  such  an  allowance  from  the  So- 
ciety, as  with  what  they  were  able  to  give  him,  might  encourage 
his  return  among  them,  to  teach  school,  for  the  instruction  of 
their  children."*1 

Mr.  Joseph  Cleator,  after  a  long  and  useful  service  died  in 
March,  1732. 

Mr.  Pritchard's  first  report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable 
Society  is  as  follows  : — 

MR.  PR1TCHARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Mamarojieck,  6th  June,  1704. 

Honor'd  Sir  : 

"  Hoping  that  the  extraordinary  success  wherewith  the  Al- 
mighty has  been  graciously  pleased  to  bless  my  labours  and  en- 
deavours, during  this  my  short  residence  in  the  Province  of 
New-York  ;  will  be  a  motive  and  inducement  for  the  Illustrious 
and  Venerable  Society,  to  extend  their  generosity  and  bounty  to 
me,  as  they  have  been  pleased  to  do  to  gentlemen  or  mission- 
aries on  the  same  account ;  questioning  not  of  effecting  the 
same,  so  you'l  be  pleased  to  communicate  this  my  humble  re- 
quest, to  that  gracious  and  venerable  body ;  being  my  Lord  of 
London  and  other  worthy  members  are  pleased  to  appear  in  my 
behalf,  in  that  particular,  having,  in  order  thereunto,  left  my 
letter  of  attorney  with  Sir  Jeffrey  Jeffrey's  eldest  son.  The  en- 
couragement they  are  pleased  to  give  gentlemen,  on  this  account, 
being,  as  I  am  informed,  fifty  pound  per  annum.  What  is 
settled  upon  us  in  this  province  by  an  Act  of  Assembly,  is  very 
inconsiderate,  as  being  but  fifty  pound  per  annum,  which  falls 
short  in  the  payment  of  ten  pound,  so  that  it  will  do  little  more 


»  Col.  Heathcote  writing  to  the  Secretary,  24th  Feb.,  1707,  says—"  I  have  heard 
nothing  of  Mr.  Cleator,  so  I  suppose  he  is  either  dead*  or  hath  declined  the  ser- 
vice."    N.  Y.  M.  S.  S.  See  Cor.  vol.  i.  13. 


142  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

than  equip  a  gentleman,  considering  at  what  excessive  rates 
most  things  are  vended  in  this  province.  There,  I  must  not 
omit,  as  being  obliged  thereunto  in  gratitude,  to  inform  you  that 
His  Excellency,  my  Lord  Cornbury,  is  pleased  to  show  an  un- 
paralleled and  uninterrupted  zeal  for  the  carrying  on  of  that 
great  and  glorious  design  of  propagating  the  faith,  and  settling 
the  church  as  well  in  this,  as  others  of  Her  Majesty's  planta. 
tions,  thereby  rescuing  them  from  the  grossest  ignorance,  stupid- 
ity, and  obstinacy ;  and  therein  righting  them  in  those  dam- 
nable and  dangerous  positions  and  tenets  which  have  been  im- 
bued and  instilled  into  these  poor,  unwary,  deluded  souls  in  their 
minority,  by  blind,  ignorant,  and  illiterate  guides.a  The  provi- 
dential care  wherewith  the  Almighty  has  been  graciously 
pleased  to  agitate  that  great,  glorious,  and  publick  spirited  body, 
in  seeking  the  good  of  souls,  will  entitle  them  to  a  more  imme- 
diate immanation  of  God's  glory  by  being  enrolled  next  to  those 
great  and  glorious  martyrs  that  have  been  imbrued  in  their  own 
blood,  in  testimony  of  the  true  Catholick  and  Christian  faith 
and  a  good  conscience. 

I  pray  God  to  bless  that  great  and  glorious  body  with  the 
choicest  of  his  blessings,  as  well  temporal  as  spiritual.     Begging 
leave  also,  with  all  imaginable  submission,  to  subscribe  myself, 
Honor'd  Sir, 

Your  most  obliged, 
Humble  servant, 

Thomas  PRiTCHARD."b 

In  a  summary  account  of  the  state  of  the  church  in  the  Pro- 
vince of  New  York,  as  it  was  laid  before  the  Clergy,   convened 


a  Madame  Knight,  in  her  Journal,  Dec.  1704,  records  the  following:  "  From 
Merrinak  we  came  to  Horse  Neck,  where  we  baited,  and  they  told  me  that  one 
Church  of  England  parsan  officiated  in  all  those  three  towns,  (  Mamaroneck,  Rye 
and  Greenwich,)  once  every  Sunday,  in  turns,  throughout  the  year  ;  and  that 
they  all  could  but  poorly  maintain  him,  which  they  grudged  to  do,  being  a  poor 
and  quarrelesome  crew  as  I  understood  by  our  host.  Their  quarreling  about  their 
choice  of  a  minister  they  chose,  to  have  none,  but  caused  th  e  Government  to  spnd 
this  gentleman  to  them.    Here  we  took  leave  of  York  Government,  &c." 

*  New- York  M.  S.  S.  from  Archives,  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  20.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  143 

at  New  York,  October  the  5th,  1704,  &c.,  it  was  stated,  that  "at 
Rye,  of  which  the  Rev.  Thomas  Pritchard  is  Rector,  there  is  no 
church,  but  the  minister  preaches  in  the  town  house.  The  par- 
ish is  divided  into  three  districts,  viz.,  Rye,  Bedford,  and  Mama- 
roneck.  There  is  a  salary  of  £50  per  annum,  established  by 
Act  of  Assembly.  The  number  of  communicants  are  consider- 
ably increased  since  the  first  celebration  of  the  Sacraments,  &c.a 
In  a  letter  to  the  Secretary,  about  five  months  after  the  pre- 
ceding, Mr.  Pritchard  thus  writes  : 

MR.  PRITCHARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  November  1st,  1704. 

Honor'd  Sir  : 
"  It  was  no  small  pleasure  and  satisfactionto  me  to  experience 
in  a  short  time  after  my  arrival,  that  the  Almighty  was  gracious- 
ly pleased  to  succeed  my  preaching  and  poor  endeavours,  as  to 
influence  my  auditors  minds  to  so  good  an  approbation  of  those 
two  grand  and  indispensable  duties,  viz.  : — Baptism  and  the 
Lord's  Supper,  notwithstanding  others  who  were  prejudicely 
aversed  to  them,  absented  themselves,  calling  the  Cross  in  bap- 
tism, popery  and  downright  idolatry.  Others,  our  Liturgy,  the 
gaggling  of  geese.  Nay,  they  cast  all  the  calumnies  and  asper- 
sions imaginable  upon  our  most  pure  and  Apostolick  Church,  as 
being  prompted  thereto  by  their  blind  and  illiterate  guides,  as 
they  are  pleased  to  denominate  them  ;  now,  seeing  the  Almighty 
has  been  plesased  to  open  their  eyes,  so  as  to  see  the  ill  conse- 
quence and  tendency  of  such  pernicious  assertions.  Their  pas- 
tors, as  they  intimated  to  me,  did  never  inculcate  to  them  the 
indispensable  duty  of  receiving  the  blessed  Sacrament,  nor  never 
could  explain  those  texts  of  Scripture  that  were  proposed  them, 
and  being  so  far  from  explaining  them,  that  they  were  embar- 
rassed with  more  amazing  intricacy's;  but,  having  since,  fre- 
quent conferences  with  those  persons,  and  answering  their  fool- 


•  Church  Record,  vol.  i,  No.  15.     Rev.  Francis  L.  Hawks',  D.  D.,  Editor. 


144  HISTORY  OF:THE  PARISH 

ish  objections,  I  have  had  (the  Lord  be  praised)  the  good  success 
of  bringing  many  of  them  over,  and  I  question  not,  (God  being 
my  help)  but  to  bring  more  in  time,  to  a  good  liking  and   ap- 
probation of  both  our  Church  and  its  discipline,  esteeming  it  the 
only  pure  Church  in  the  world.     What  steps  and  progress  have 
been   made  hereto,  are  mostly  owing  to  his  Excellency,  Lord 
Cornbury's  influence   and  encouragement  to  us,  the  Attorney 
General  being  also  very  zealous  for    the  thorough  settlement 
of  the  Church.     Hoping,  therefore,  Honor'd  Sir,  that  the  Society 
will  be  pleased  to  allow  me  £50  per  annum,  which  is  allowed 
Mr.  Bartow  and  other  Missionaries,  otherwise,  I  design,  (God 
willing)  to  return  by  next  conveniency,  being  I  can't  make  above 
£30  per  annum  of  the  £50  which  is  settled  by  an  Act  of  As- 
sembly, it  being  paid  in  corn  and  other  country  pay,  as  they 
call  it.     So  that  we  are  at  great  charge  in  paying  for  the  car- 
riage to  New- York,  in  order  to  have  it  sold  there,  besides  12d 
per  pound  that's  allowed  the  Collector,  and  a  great  part  of  the 
people  are  so  very  poor  as  to  be  incapacitated  to  pay  their  pro- 
portions,  though  otherwise  very  willing   thereto.      I  perceive 
by  the  account  of  the  Society,  that  one  Mr.  Stuart  is  recom- 
mended to  Bedford,  and  £50  per  annum  allowed  him,  whereas 
Bedford  is  a  part  of  my  parish,  as  settled  by  an  Act  of  Assem- 
bly, so  that  he  can't  be  inducted  there.     Hoping  therefore,  that 
the  Society  will  be  so  condescendingly  pleased  to  allow  it  me,  as 
also  to  send  per  next  conveniency,  the  £15  worth  of  books  of 
which  mention  is  made  in  the  account.     The  Society  would  do 
very  well,  if  in  their  great  wisdom  they  think  it  fit,  to  recom- 
mend Mr.  Stuart  to  Hempstead,  upon  Long  Island,  where  they 
stand  very  much  in  need  of  a  minister,  and  complain  very  much 
for  a  churchman,  it  being  the  best  place  in  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  and  the  best  affected  for  the  Church.     I  design,  (God  wil- 
ling) to  preach  there  frequently,  in  order  to  continue  them  in  a 
good  opinion  of  our  Church  till  a  minister  comes.     Mr.  Vesey, 
Minister  of  the  English  Church  in  New- York,  as  also  the  people 
of  Hempstead,  have  been  very  pressing  upon  me  to  remove 
there,  teiling  me  that  my  Lord  Cornbury  would  willingly  con- 
sent thereto  for  my  advantage,  as  having  a  great  kindness  for 


:      rAND   CHUKCH   OF   RYE.  145 

me,  but  I  shan't  give  occasion  to  my  Lord  of  London  to  be  dis- 
pleased at  me.  I'll  rest  contentedly  here,  so  that  the  Society  be 
pleased  to  allow  me  £50  per  annum  as  is  allowed  Mr.  Bartow, 
who  is  minister  in  the  same  county.  The  county  is  divided 
between  Mr.  Bartow  and  myself  by  an  Act  of  Assembly,  he 
having  the  care  of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and 
New  Rochelle,  and  I  the  care  of  Rye,  Bedford,  and  Mamaro- 
neck. 

I  am,  Honoured  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient, 

And  most  humble  servant, 

Thomas  Pritchard."4 

The  following  letter,  written  nearly  four  months  after  the  fore- 
going, shows  how  much  the  infant  parish  was  suffering  through 
the  imprudence  and  neglect  of  the  Rector ;  who  resided  in  New 
Rochelle,  six  miles  from  Rye  : — 

COLONEL  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Manor  of  Scarsdale,  Feb.  26th,  1704-5. 

Sir, 

"I  gave  you  the  trouble  of  three  letters,  one  by  the  Virginia 
Fleet,  and  two  direct  from  this  Port,  one  whereof  went  by  Capt. 
Davison,  and  the  other  by  Capt.  Rogers,  and  shall  hope  they 
have  all  reached  your  hands,  which  I  should  be  glad  to  hear.  I 
did  therein  give  you  the  trouble  of  so  full  an  account,  concern- 
ing Church  affairs,  in  this  part  of  the  Government,  that  I  have 
nothing  now  to  add,  save  taking  the  freedom  to  give  you  my 
opinion  concerning  Mr.  Muirson  ;  who  was  schoolmaster  at  New- 
York  for  some  time,  and  went  home  in  the  Jersey  :  in  order  to 
qualifie  himself  to  be  an  assistant  to  Mr.  Vesey,  and  to  return 
into  his  former  station.  As  to  that  gentleman,  according  to  my 
best  observation  of  him,  his  behaviour  was  exceeding  well:  but 
how  it  has  happened  I  know  not,  most  of  the  leading  men  in  the 


•  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  59.  CO.     (Hawks'.) 

10 


146  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

city  are  violently  bent  against  him  ;  that  in  my  opinion  it  will 
by  no  means  be  adviseable  to  send  him  there,  but  if  he  returns 
to  this  Province,  the  best  service  he  can  do  the  church,  will  be 
to  go  to  Staten  Island,  where  there  is  an  establishment  of  £40  a 
year,  by  Act  of  Assembly.    I  did  in  my  last,  which  went  by  Capt. 
Rogers,  acquaint  you  how  uncommonly  unhappy  and  unfortunate 
we  were  in  Mr.  Pritchard,  who  had  during  his  stay,  totally  ruined 
the  interest  of  the  church  in  this  Parish  ;  his  management  is  so 
strange  and   unaccountable,  that  but  barely  to  relate  what  that 
Gentleman  does  not  blush  to  do,  looks  more  like  malice  than  a 
true  account  of  things.  I  do  assure  you  he  has  not  for  near  a  quar- 
ter of  a  year  now  past,  preached  four  sermons  in  any  part  of  his 
Parish,  nor  scarcely  been  there  in  all  that  time ;  he  living  at  a 
public  house  in  a  french  town  called  New  Rochelle,  about  6  miles 
from  his  church,  that  being  so  intolerably  careless  of  his  flock, 
the  people  some  not  knowing  of  it,  and   others  being  enraged, 
that  when  he  preaches,   nobody  will  come  to  hear  him.    I  am 
extremely  concerned    for  this  great  misfortune,  and  I  hope  God 
will  in  his  due  time  make  better  provision  for  us.     Sir,  I  most 
heartily  beg  pardon  for  all  the  freedom  I  have  taken  in  this  and 
my  former  letters,  and  that  you  would  believe  that  I  am  firm  and 
zealous,  for  the  service  of  the  Church,  and 

Sir, 

Yours,  &c,  &c., 

Caleb  Heathcote."8 

The  unfortunate  Mr.  Pritchard,  terminated  his  earthly  career 
some  time  in  March  or  April,  1705,  about  a  year  after  his  set- 
tlement at  Rye.  In  June,  1704,  he  had  married  Anna  Stuyves- 
ant,  daughter  of  Nicholas  William,  and  grand-daughter  of  the 
illustrious  Peter  Stuyvesant,  but  died  without  issue  and  intes- 
tate, leaving  his  wife  his  heir  at  law.  Mrs.  Pritchard  died  in 
1759,  at  the  age  of  nearly  74  years. 


•  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  71.  72.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  147 

LETTERS  OF  ADMINISTRATION  FROM  GOVENOUR  CORNBURY 
|    TO  ANNE   PRITCHARD,    WIDOW   AND    RELICT   OF     THOMAS 
*  PRITCHARD,  CLERK. 

"  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury,  Captain  General,  and  Governour-in-Chief  of  the 
Provinces  of  New- York,  New-Jersey,  and  of  allthe  territories  and  tracts  of  land 
depending  thereon  in  America,  and  Vice  Admirall  of  the  same,  &c.  to  Anne 
Pritchard,  widow  and  relict  of  Thomas  Pritchard,  late  of  the  province  of  New- 
York,  Clerk,  deceased,  sendeth  greeting.  Whereas  ye  said  Thomas  Pritchard  so  as 
aforesaid  deceased,  lately  dyed  intestate,  having  while  he  lived,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  goods,  chatties  and  creditts  in  divers  places  within  this  province  :  by 
means  whereof  the  full  disposition  of  all  and  singular  the  goods,  rights,  and 
creditts  of  the  said  deceased,  and  the  granting  the  administration  of  them  ;  also, 
the  hearing  the  account,  calculation  or  reckoning  of  said  administration,  and 
the  final  discharge  and  dismission  from  the  same,  unto  me  solely,  and  not  unto 
any  other  inferior  Judge,  are  manifestly  knowne  and  belong.  I  desireing  that 
the  goods,  rights,  and  creditts  of  the  said  deceased  may  be  well  and  faithfully  ad- 
ministered, and  converted,  and  disposed  of  to  pious  uses,  do  grant  unto  you,  the 
said  Anne  Pritchard.  in  whose  fidelity  in  this  behalfe  I  very  much  confide,  full 
power  by  the  tenour  of  these  presents  to  administer  the  goods,  chatties,  and 
creditts  of  the  said  deceased  and  faithfully  to  dispose  of  them;  also  to  ask,  collect, 
levy,  recover,  and  receive  the  creditts  whatsoever  of  the  said  deceased,  which  unto 
the  said  deceased  while  he  lived  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  did  belong,  and  to  pay 
the  debts  which  the  said  deceased  stood  obliged,  so  far  forth  as  ye  goods,  rights  and 
creditts  oi  the  said  deceased  can  thereunto  extend,  according  to  their  rate,  chiefly 
of  will,  and  truly  administering  ye  same  and  of  making  a  true  and  perfect  Invent- 
ory of  all  and  singular  the  goods,  chatties  and  creditts  of  the  said  deceased,  and 
exhibiting  ihe  same  unto  ye  Registry  of  the  Prerogative  Court  of  the  said  pro- 
vince of  New- York,  in  the  Secretary's  Office,  at  or  before  ye  thirteenth  day  of 
August  next  ensuing,  and  of  rendering  a  just  and  true  account  of  said  adminis- 
tration att  or  before  the  thirteenth  day  of  February  then  next  following,  being  duly 
and  lawfully  sworne  upon  the  Holy  Evangelist  of  Almighty  God;  and  I  do  or- 
daine,  depute,  and  constitute  you,  the  said  Anne  Pritchard,  administratrix  of  all 
and  singular  the  goods,  rights,  and  creditts  of  the  said  deceased. 

In  tkstimo.vy  whereof,  I  have  caused  the  Prerogative  Seale  of  the  said  pro- 
vince of  New- York,  to  be  hereunto  affiixt  att  New- York,  this  13th  day  of  Febru- 
ary, 1705-6."» 

The  rectorship  having  become  vacant  by  the  death  of  Mr. 
Pritchard,  was  filled  by  the  appointment  of  the 

REV.  GEORGE  MUIRSON,  A.  M. 

This    individual  was   a  native  of  Scotland,  and  descended 


•  Record  of  Wills,  Surrogate's  Office,  N.  Y.,  vol.  vii,  p.  227. 


148  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

from  the  Munson's  of  Anchorfield,  a  branch  of  the  ancient 
family  of  the  Mures  of  Caldwell,  who  were  originally- 
seated  at  Polkelly,  near  Kilmarnock,  in  Ayrshire.*  The 
name  occurs,  written  at  various  periods.  More,  Mure,  Muir,  Moor, 
&c.  The  termination  son  being  an  addition  to  the  ancient  pa- 
tronymic. Mr.  Muirson  was  born  about  the  year  1G75,  and  educa- 
ted most  probably,  in  one  of  the  colleges  of  the  north  part  of  Scot- 
land. He  appears  to  have  commenced  his  career  of  usefulness  as 
a  teacher  ;  for  in  1703  he  was  sent  over  to  this  Province,  by  the 
Venerable  Society,  as  their  schoolmaster  at  Albany.  When 
Lord  Cornbury  established  a  latin  free  school  in  New- York,  he 
appointed  Mr.  Muirson  master,  "who  for  some  time  discharged 
that  function  with  approbation  and  success."b  Jn  1704  he  was 
spoken  of  as  assistant  to  the  Rev.  William  Vesey,  rector  of  New- 
York.  He  was  also  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  catechist  in  that 
city.  The  Rev.  Evan  Evans,  of  Philadelphia,  thus  recommends 
this  valuable  and  zealous  man,  in  a  letter  to  the  Bishop  of  Lon- 
don, from  which  the  following  is  an  extract : — "  October  17th, 
1704,  this  comes  by  the  hands  of  the  ingenious  Mr.  George  Muir- 
son to  receive  holy  orders  from  your  Lordship,  by  the  approba- 
tion of  his  Excellency,  my  Lord  Cornbury.  1  find  that  he  is  very 
well  beloved  and  esteemed  by  all  sorts  of  people,  a  man  of  a  very 
sober  and  blamelsss  conversation.  He  seems  to  be  endued  with 
great  humility  of  mind,  and  has  the  character  of  being  very  pru- 
dent in  his  conduct.  I  give  him  this  recommendation  not  to 
gratify  himself,  nor  any  body  else,  but  because  I  sincerely  be- 
lieve he  may  be  very  instrumental  of  doing  much  good  in  the 
church."  Lord  Cornbury  writing  the  same  year  says  of  him  : — 
"he  was  sent  over  to  be  schoolmaster  at  Albany" — "he  is  now 


*  Sir  Reginald  More  or  Mure,  of  Abercorn  and  Cowdams,  appears  to  have  been 
Chamberlain  of  Scotland,  as  early  as  1329.  The  lands  of  Cowdams,  in  Ayrshire, 
belonged  to  him  previously  to  1328,  as  shown  by  an  agreement  concerning  them, 
between  him  and  the  Monks  of  Paisley,  dated  in  that  year.  The  arms  of  the 
Murison's  of  Anchorfield  are: — Ar.  three  Moor's  heads,  couped  sa,  banded  az. 
a  bordure,  engr.  gu.  Crest— Three  Moor's  heads  conjoined  in  one  head,  ppr. 
banded  az.     Motto— Mediocriter. 

b  Mr.  Muirson's  License  to  keep  school  in  New- York,  bears  date  25lh  of  April, 
1704.  Albany  Rec.  vol.  x.  5. 


-  AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  149 

going  into  England  in  hopes  of  being  admitted  into  holy  orders. 
I  shall  be  glad  he  might  be  dispatched  hither  early  in  the  spring."* 
He  was  also  bearer  of  the  Governour's  dispatches.  The  church- 
wardens and  vestrymen  of  Braintree,  in  New  England,  by  letters 
also  to  the  Bishop  of  London,  October  19,  1704,  give  their  testimo- 
nials to  Mr.  George  Muirson,  returning  into  England  to  receive 
holy  orders."b  Mr.  Vesey  writing  to  the  Bishop  of  London,  on  the 
26th  of  October,  says  : — "  Mr.  George  Muirson,  a  sober,  ingenious 
man  designs,  God  willing,  to  receive  holy  orders,  and  is  recom- 
mended by  my  Lord  Cornbury,  and  the  Rev.  Clergy  conven'd 
at  New- York. "c 

Furnished  with  such  credentials,  Mr.  Muirson  embarked 
for  England,  and  readily  received  ordination  from  the  hands 
of  the  Right  Rev.  Henry  Compton,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Lon- 
don. £n  the  spring  of  1705,  he  once  more  sailed  for  America, 
and  arrived  in  New- York  on  the  19th  of  July,  following.  Scon 
after  his  arrival,  he  was  appointed  by  Governour  Cornbury  to 
Rye,  and  the  following  mandate  issued  for  his  induction. 

MANDATE  FROM  GOVERNOUR  CORNBURY  TO  INDUCT  THE 
REV  GEORGE  MUIRSON  INTO  THE  RECTORY  OF  RYE. 

"  Edward's  Illustrissim's  Vice  Comes  Cornburie  provincice  Novi  Eboraci  nee  usu 
Novae  Cesari*  in  America  strategus  &  Imperator,  ejusdemq's  Vice  Thalassiar- 
cha  &c.  Universis  &.  singulis  Rectoribus  Vicar'  &  Capellas,  Curat'.  Clericis 
&  ministris  quibuscumq's  in  pr  totam  provinciam,  ubilibet  consitutis  actiam 
Ecclesiae  parochialis  de  Rye,  Mamerenock  &  Bed- 
ford pro  hoc  Tempore  Elilibus  salutem. 

Cum  Dilect,  in  Christo  Georgium  Muirson  Cleric',  ad  Rectoriam,  sive  Eccle- 
siam  parochialem  prselict  Paroch'  de  Rye  Mamerenock  &  Bedford  in  Die. 
Proline.  Nov.  Eborac.  in  America.  Jam  vacantem,  prssentatum,  Rectorem 
ejusdem  Rectorise,  sive  Ecclesioe  parochialis  in  &  de  eadem  Institus,  vobis  con- 
junctim  &  Division  Com'itto,  &  fermiter  Injungendo,  mando,  quatenus  eun- 
dem  Georgium  Muirson  Cleric.  Sive  procuratorem  suum,  Legitimum  ejus  no- 
mine, &  pro  eo,  in  realem,  actualem  &  Corporalem  possessionem  ipsiusRec- 
toriae  sive   Ecclesiee  parochialis  de   Rye,  Mamerenock   and   Bedford,   Predict. 


»  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Soc. 

b  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  50.    (Hawks'.) 

•  New- York  MS3.  from  Archives  at  Fulham.    (Hawks'.) 


150  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Glebarum,  Jurumq's  &  pertinentium  suor'  universor',  conferatis,  Inducatis 
Inducive  faciatis,  &  defendatis  Inductum,  &  quid  in  pr.  missis  me  aut  ali- 
um  in  hac  parte  Competent',  quemeunq's  debite  (cum  ad  id  congrue'  fueritis 
requisti)  certificetis,  sui  sic.  certificet,  ille  vestrum  qui  prsesent  hoc  mandatum 
derit  Executus.  Dasub  sigil  Praerogat's.  Diet  Provinciae  Nov.  Eborac  Tri- 
cesimo  primo  die  Juli,   salutis  millesimo  sept,  ingentesimo  duinto  Anno. 

CORNBURY. 
By  His  Excellency's  command. 

WILL.  ANDERSON,  Defy  Secretary." 

CERTIFICATE  OF  MR.  MUIRSONS  INDUCTION. 

Aug't  20  mo.    Dec.  1705. 
"  Virtute  suprascripti  Instrument  ego  Gul.  Vesey  Induxi  Rev'um  Dom'  Muir- 
son  in  Eccl'am.  Paroch'em.  de  Rye,  Maranock  &  Bedford  &c.    Gul.  Vesey,  Wit- 
ness, Caleb  Heathcote,  Joseph  Theale."" 

On  the  22nd  of  November,  1705,  Governour  Cornbury  writes  to 
the  Secretary,  that : — "  Mr.  Muirson  is  settled  at  Rye,  in  ye 
room  of  ye  unfortunate  Mr.  Pritchard,  deceased,  where  I  hope  he 
will  do  a  great  deal  of  good  for  ye  people,  and  he  agree  very 
well."* 

The  day  previous  to  the  above  date,  Mr.  Muirson  closed  his 
first  report  to  the  Venerable  Society. 

MR.  MUIRSON  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

New-  York,  Rye,  Nov.  2\st,  1705. 

Much  Honoured  Sir, 

"The  vessel  in  which  I  sent  my  last  being  taken,  I  presume 
(according  to  your  desire)  to  give  a  brief  account  of  my  own  cir- 
cumstances, with  ye  state  of  my  Parish,  viz:  when  I  arrived 
at  New-York  with  a  resolution  to  settle  in  the  city,  my  Lord 
Cornbury,  for  the  good  of  the  Church,  ordered  me  to  supply  the 
place  of  Mr.  Pritchard,  minister  of  Rye. 

I  have  officiated  in  this  Parish  ever  since  my  arrival,  ye  19th 
of  July,  and  blessed  be  God,  have  had  happy  success  in  my 


*  Surrogate's  Office.  N.  Y.  H.   Lib.  vii,  210. 

*  New- York.  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham.    vol.  i.  83  to  86.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE  151 

ministry,  for  notwithstanding  the  Parish  lies  bordering  upon  New 
England,  where  the  enemies  of  the  Church  are  numerous  ;  yet  I 
have  a  very  great  congregation  every  Sunday,  and  they  are  my 
constant  hearers,  who  never  were  in  a  church  of  England  con- 
gregation before,  and  tho'  they  are  a  people  made  up  almost  of  all 
persuasions,  I  thank  God  who  hath  made  me  an  instrument  of 
admitting  eighty  persons,  young  and  old  into  ye  Church  by 
baptism.  There  are  some  hundreds  in  this  Parish  that  are  not  yet 
baptized,  some  of  whom  I  have,  and  ye  rest  in  time  I  hope 
I  shall  persuade  to  consider  ye  necessity  of  that  holy  sacra- 
ment. It  is  divided  into  three  towns,  Rye,  Bedford  and  Mama- 
roneck,  mostly  of  ye  Independent  pursuasion,  lately  an  Inde- 
pendent minister  hath  removed  out  of  it,  which  I  am  assured 
will  beofgreat  advantage  to  ye  Church.  By  the  aid  and  assistance 
of  ye  good  Colonel  Heathcote,  I  have  pursuaded  the  Parish  to 
build  a  stone  church,  which  will  be  finished  next  spring,  so  that 
we  shall  want  pulpit  cloaths  and  furniture  for  ye  communion 
table.  Common  prayer  books  and  expositions  upon  ye  church 
catechism,  with  other  small  useful  books,  are  very  much  want- 
ed ;  in  this  we  humbly  address  the  Honourable  Society  for  supply. 
I  have  lately  been  in  ye  Government  of  Connecticut,  where  I 
observe  some  people  well  affected  to  ye  church,  for  those  that 
are  near,  come  to  my  parish  on  Sabbath  days,  so  that  I  am  as- 
sured an  itinerant  Missionary  might  do  great  services  in  that 
Province,  some  of  their  ministers  have  privately  told  me  that 
had  we  a  Bishop  among  us,  they  would  conform  and  receive 
Holy  Orders,  from  which  as  well  as  on  all  ye  Continent,  ye  ne- 
cessity of  a  Bishop  will  plainly  appear. 

Yours,  &c..  &c, 

George  Muirson."* 

This  letter  shows  how  early  the  spiritual  condition  of  the 
province  of  Connecticut  had  attracted  Mr.  Muirson's  attention  ; 
and  we  shall  see  by  his  subsequent  reports,  that  he  was  frequents 


■  New- York,  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  81.  82.    (Hawks'.) 


152  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

ly  in  the  habit  of  going  there,  "  holding  services,  preaching,  bap- 
tizing, and  distributing  prayer  books,  and  devotional  works.  On 
these  expeditions  he  was  invariably  accompanied  by  Col.  Heath- 
cote,  they  rode  on  horseback  with  their  saddle-bags  full  of  books  ; 
and  the  Colonel  always  went  fully  armed,  as  in  those  tolerant 
times  it  was  as  much  as  a  man's  life  was  worth  even  to  talk  of 
the  Church  in  Connecticut,  without  the  means  of  self  defence. 

Col.  Heathcote  was  the  leading  man  at  that  time  in  Westches- 
ter county,  and  one  of  the  most  influential  persons  in  the  Prov- 
ince. His  manor  comprehended  a  great  part  of  Mr.  Muhson's 
parish,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  first  wardens,  and  for  a  time 
its  chief  supporter. — He  was  the  richest  man  in  the  county,  and 
an  ardent  churchman.  To  his  efforts  and  to  his  means,  does 
Westchester  county  owe  nearly  every  one  of  her  ancient  parish- 
es, now  among  the  oldest  in  the  United  States.  He  was  one  of 
the  petitioners  for  the  charter  of  Trinity  Church,  New-York,  in 
1697,  a  liberal  contributor  to  its  construction,  and  his  name 
heads  the  list  of  its  first  vestry. 

He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Venerable  Society,  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  in  1704  ;  and  he  and  his  friend,  Col. 
Morris,  Governour  of  New  Jersey,  were,  it  is  believed,  the  first 
persons  in  America  who  received  that  honour. 

To  Col.  Heathcote's  influence,  cordial  cooperation,  and  perso- 
nal participation  in  his  labours,  did  Mr.  Muirson  owe,  under  God, 
the  success  he  met  with  in  Connecticut.  In  fact,  the  method 
adopted  by  Mr.  Muirson,  in  building  the  Church  in  that  Colony, 
originated  with  Col.  Heathcote  ;  whose  object  in  establishing 
Churches  in  Westchester  was  two-lold,  first:  to  ground  the 
Church  well  in  that  county  :  and  secondly,  to  act  upon  Connec- 
ticut. 

The  following  letter  of  the  Colonel,  to  the  Secretary  of  the 
Venerable  Society,  not  only  proves  these  facts,  but  gives  a  lively 
picture  of  Connecticut  and  its  inhabitants,  nearly  a  century  and 
a  half  ago,  and  of  the  spiritual  darkness  which  then  enveloped 
that  Colony." 


AND  CHURCH  OP  RYE.  153 

COLONEL  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Manor  of  Scarsdale,  Nov.  9th,  1705. 

Sir, 
"  I  am  indebted  to  you  for  yours  of  the  11th  Jan.  and  9th  of 
April,  and  am  wonderfully  surprised  that  the  Society  should 
make  choice  of  me  for  one  of  their  members.  It  was  a  very 
great  satisfaction  to  me,  that  any  thing  I  could  offer  was  accep- 
table to  them,  and  should  very  joyfully  embrace  any  opportu- 
nity of  doing  service  to  the  church,  and  I  bless  God  for  it  I  am 
not  conscious  to  myself  of  ever  having  slipt  one  fair  occasion 
therein,  when  government  would  give  me  leave.  I  beg  of  you, 
sir,  to  present  my  most  humble  duty  to  that  honourable  body, 
and  thank  them  for  the  honour  they  have  been  pleased  to  dome, 
and  may  assure  them  that  1  shall  not  only  endeavour  to  give  them 
satisfaction  as  to  any  thing  they  shall  desire  of  me  ;  but  if  any 
new  matter  occurs,  which  I  believe  may  be  of  service  to  the 
Church,  I  will  not  fail  laying  it  before  them  for  their  considera- 
tion. If  I  mistake  not,  the  several  heads  you  desire  satisfaction 
of,  in  both  your  letters  now  before  me,  are,  first  :  an  exact  and 
impartial  account  of  all  your  Ministers.  Secondly  :  what  fruit 
may  be  expected  from  Mr.  Moor's  mission.  Thirdly  :  what 
my  thoughts  are  of  sending  Mr.TJellius  into  those  parts  again. 
Fourthly:  my  opinion  of  the  Society's  having  appointed  that 
good  man,  Mr.  Elias  Neau,  as  Catechist  to  the  Negroes  and  In- 
dians, and  the  cause  of  misunderstanding  betwixt  him  and  Mr. 
Yesey. 

As  to  the  first,  I  must  do  all  the  gentlemen  which  you  have 
sent  to  this  province,  that  justice  as  to  declare,  that  a  better  clergy 
were  never  in  any  place,  there  being  not  one  amongst  them  that 
has  the  least  stain  or  blemish  as  to  his  life  or  conversation,  and 
though  I  am  not  an  eye  witness  to  the  actions  of  any,  save  those 
in  this  county,  yet  I  omit  no  opportunity  of  inquiring  into  their 
behaviour,  both  of  the  friends  and  enemies  of  the  Church,  and 
they  all  agree  as  to  the  character  of  the  gentlemen  ;  and  that 
they  use  their  best  endeavours  to  gain  over  the  people  :  and  as 
to  their  diligence  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  trust,  tiie  So- 


154  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH. 

ciety,  I  hope,  will,  in  their  instructions,  have  laid  down  such 
rules  as  they  won't  fail  coming  at  it  without  being  imposed  on. 
Mr.  Urquhart,  minister  of  Jamaica,  has  the  most  difficult  task 
of  any  missionary  in  this  government,  for  although  he  has  not 
only  the  character  of  a  very  good  man,  but  of  being  extraordina- 
ry industrious  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty;  yet  he  having  a 
Presbyterian  meeting  house  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  Quakers 
on  the  other,  and  very  little  assistance  in  his  Parish,  except  from 
those  who  have  no  interest  with  the  people,  that  his  work  can't 
but  go  on  very  heavily,  as  I  understand  it  does  :  but  Mr.  Thorn-, 
as,  of  Hempstead,  having  better  assistance,  the  leading  men  in 
his  parish  not  being  disgusted,  are  helpful  in  the  work  ;  and 
having  no  other  sectaries  to  oppose  him  by  their  meetings  but 
the  Quakers,  makes  very  considerable  progress,  as  1  have  been 
told  by  some  of  the  most  sensible  of  his  parish.  As  for  Mr. 
Mackenzie,  he  has  a  very  good  report  from  the  people  of  Staten 
Island,  and  I  shall  not  fail  making  further  inquiry  concerning 
him,  and  let  you  know  it  in  my  next. 

But  when  all  is  done,  what  I  can  tell  you  concerning  any 
minister,  except  in  this  county,  is  only  by  information  from  others, 
which  is  often  very  uncertain  ;  for  some  gentlemen  may  many 
times,  and  very  deservingly,  have  a  fair  and  good  character  by 
the  generality  of  their  neighbours,  and  yet  at  the  same  time,  by 
one  misfortune  or  other,  not  perform  much  of  the  service  of  the 
Church,  in  which  I  will  give  you  this  plain  instance. 

There  is  not  any  gentleman  whom  the  Society  have  sent  over, 
that  is  clothed  with  a  fairer  character  than  Mr.  Bartow,  of  West- 
chester, and  truly  he  is  a  very  good  and  sober  man,  and  is  ex- 
tremely well  liked  and  spoken  of  by  his  parishioners  in  general ; 
yet  although  he  has  been  three  years  in  that  parish,  not  many 
are  added  to  the  communion,  nor  baptized,  and  few  catechised; 
and  if  he  is  directed  to  send  an  account  how  he  has  advanced 
on  each  of  these  heads,  annually  since  his  coming  there,  it  will 
be  found  accordingly.  For  this  and  many  other  reasons,  I  can't 
help  still  to  be  pressing  that  the  Society  should  lay  the  gentlemen 
which  are  sent  over,  under  exact  rules,  and  methinks  it  is  no 
difficult  matter  to  have  it  ordered  so  as  to  know  almost  as  well 
what  is  done  as  if  they  were  present  in  every  parish. 


F"    AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  155 

The  people  of  Westchester  were  very  angry  with  me  because 
I  was  for  having  this  county  divided  into  three  parishes,  and 
every  minister  to  have  70/ ;  instead  of  50/.,  and  I  had  brought  the 
county,  except  that  place,  to  a  willingness  to  have  it  so,  as  I 
formerly  acquainted  you  ;  and  had  they  permuted  that  projec- 
tion to  have  taken  place,  it  would  have  been  a  great  ease  to  the 
Society  :  for  first,  what  Mr.  Bartow  had  more  than  the  50/.,  he 
now  bath,  might  reasonably  have  been  deducted  at  home.  Sec- 
ondly, Mr.  Bondet  would  have  been  provided  for  ;  and  thirdly, 
one  Mr.  Morgan,  who  was  minister  of  Eastchester,  promised  me 
to  conform  :  that  there  would  not  have  been  occasion  of  another 
being  sent  to  us,  and  by  that  means  have  saved  50/.  a  year  more 
at  home,  and  wholly  out  of  all  hopes  of  any  dissenting  minister 
getting  footing  amongst  us,  and  it  will  never  be  well  until  we 
are  in  three  parishes ;  and  I  shall  not  fail,  when  I  have  a  fair  op- 
portunity, to  push  for  it  again  ;  and  to  satisfy  you  of  the  reason- 
ableness in  what  I  offer,  I  believe  there  has  not  six  public  taxes 
been  laid  on  this  county  by  the  Assembly  this  fifteen  years  past, 
but.  I  have  been  at  the  proportioning  of,  and  when  the  places  in 
Rye  parish  pay  50/.  the  towns  in  Westchester  parish  were  allot- 
ted 120/. ;  and  there  are  two  places  more,  which,  both  together, 
are  one  third  part  as  big  as  Rye  parish,  which  are  now  in  nei- 
ther of  them.  And  now  I  am  on  this  subject,  it  comes  in  course 
to  make  out  what  I  told  you  in  my  former  letters,  viz  :  that  there 
is  no  parish  in  the  government  but  what  is  able  to  pay  twice  as 
much  as  they  do.  For  Rye  parish  which  is  not  by  one  half  so 
large  as  the  least  parish  established  by  law  in  the  government 
here,  since  my  living  here,  maintained  two  dissenting  ministers, 
viz  :  one  at  Rye  and  Mamaroneck,  and  one  at  Bedford,  and  gave 
the  former  50/.  and  the  latter  40/.  a  year,  which  I  think  makes 
it  out  very  plain  what  I  have  offered  on  that  head  ;  and  you  may 
be  assured  that  I  shall  omit  no  opportunity  of  serving  the  Socie- 
ty therein  ;  but  the  work  must  be  done,  in  a  great  measure  by 
the  minister's  taking  pains,  and  bringing  the  people  into  a  good 
opinion  of  the  Church,  for  though  the  reason  hereof  is  very  plain, 
it  must  be  a  business  of  time  to  effect  it.  We  have  had  it  report- 
ed that  the  Queen  would  be  at  the  charge  of  maintaining  aSuf- 


156  niSTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

fragan  Bishop  iti  these  parts.  If  that  was  granted,  I  question 
not  but  a  great  many  who  have  had  their  education  in  Boston 
College  would  conform,  and  would  be  content  with  the  benefi- 
ces as  settled  by  Assembly,  without  being  very  burthensome 
to  the  Society. 

I  have  been  so  long  wandering  from  one  subject  to  another, 
that  I  had  almost  forgot  to  give  you  my  thoughts  of  Mr.  Muir- 
son,  whom  my  Lord  of  London  has  sent  for  this  parish.  He  has 
been  here  about  three  months,  in  which  time  he  hath  by  much 
outdone  my  expectation ;  having  very  fully  retrieved  all  that 
unfortunate  gentleman,  Mr.  Pritchard  lost ;  and  if  he  continues  so 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  trust,  of  which  I  have  not  the 
least  doubt  but  he  will,  he'll  be  able  to  give  as  large  account  of 
his  services  as  any  that  has  been  sent  over  to  this  Province  ;  and 
I  must  do  him  the  justice  to  own,  that  he  is  as  deserving  of  the 
Society's  favours.  For  as  some  of  his  parishioners  told  me,  and 
which  I  know  in  a  great  measure  to  be  true,  that  although  they 
have  had  a  great  many  ministers  amongst  them  since  the  settle- 
ment of  their  town,  yet  Mr.  Muirsondid  more  good  amongst  them 
the  first  six  weeks  after  his  coming,  than  all  they  ever  had  be- 
fore; and  I  question  not,  but  when  you  have  the  particulars  of 
his  proceedings  transmitted,  you  will  find  what  I  have  said  of 
him  to  be  true.  As  for  Mr.  Brooks,  whom  the  Society  have  sent 
to  the  Jerseys,  he  has  an  uncommon  good  character  given  him 
from  those  parts;  and  it  is  reported  of  him  that  he  makes  won- 
derful advances  for  the  service  of  the  Churcn,  and  1  question  not 
but  Col.  Morris  will  be  very  particular  concerning  him — that 
being  properly  his  watch.  For  though  that  Province  is  not 
above  50  miles  from  my  house,  and  Staten  Island  about  forty, 
yet  by  reason  of  the  difficulty  of  water  passages,  I  have 
never  been  at  either  of  them  above  twice  since  my  coming  to 
America  ;  and  I  am  now  more  tied  at  home  with  a  family  and 
my  private  affairs  than  formerly,  for  which  I  humbly  crave  an 
.—  allowance.  My  principles  and  natural  temper  lead  me  to  do  the 
Church  all  the  service  I  can  everywhere,  but  I  dare  not  promise 
for  more  than  this  county  at  present,  and  my  best  endeavours  in 
the  westernmost  towns  in  Connecticut  colony,  when  the  Church 
is  well  rooted  here ;  and  it  has  always  been  my  opinion,  and 


CI  AND  CHURCH  OF  EYE.  157 

V 
is  so  still,  that  there  is  no  part  of  this  Province,  or  even  America, 
that  would    be  of  greater  use  or  service  to  have  the  Church 
thoroughly  settled  in  ;  for  it  is  not  only  large  in  extent,  and  the 
land  very  good,  and  near  the  city  ;  so,  consequently,  will  in  time 
be  a  great  settlement.     But  bordering  on  Connecticut  there  is 
no  part  of  the  continent  from  whence  the  Church  can  have  so 
fair  an   opportunity  to  make  impressions  upon  the  dissenters  in 
that  government,  who  are  settled  by  their  laws  from  Rye  parish 
to  Boston  colony,  which  is  about  35  leagues,  in  which  there  are 
abundance  of  people  and  places.     As  for  Boston  colony,  I  never 
was  in  it,  so  can  say  little  to  it.    But  for  Connecticut,  I  am.  and 
have  been  pretty  conversant ;  and  always  was  as  much  in  all 
their  good  graces  as  any  man  ;    and  now  I  am  upon  that  sub- 
ject, 1  will  give  you  the  best  account  I  can  of  that  colony.     It  con- 
tains, in  length,  about  140  miles,  and  has  in  it  about  40  towns, 
in  each  of  which  there  is  a  Presbyterian  or  Independent  minis- 
ter settled  by  their  law  ;  to  whom  the  people  are  all  obliged  to 
pay,   notwithstanding  many  times  they  are   not   ordained  ;  of 
which  I  have  known  several  examples.     The  number  of  people 
there,  are  I  believe,  about  2,400  souls.     They  have  abundance 
of  odd  kind  of  laws  to  prevent  any  dissenting  from  their  church  ; 
and  endeavour  to  keep  the  people  in  as  much  blindness  and  un- 
acquaintedness  with  any  other  religion   as  possible;  but  in  a 
more  particular   manner  the  Church,  looking  upon  her  as  the 
most  dangerous  enemy  they  have  to  grapple  withal ;  and  abund- 
ance-of  pains  is  taken  to  make  the  ignorant  think  as  bad  as  pos- 
sible of  her ;  and  I  really  believe  that  more  than  half  the  people 
in  that  government,  think  our  Church  to  be  little  better  than 
the  Papist ;    and  they  fail  not  to  improve  every  little  thing  against 
us  ;  but  I  bless  God  for  it,  the  Society  have  robbed  them  of  their 
best  argument,  which  was  the  ill  lives  of  our  clergy  that  came 
into  these  parts  ;    and  the  truth  is.  I  have  not  seen  many  good 
men  but  of  the  Society's  sending;     and    no   sooner  was    that 
honourable  body  settled,   and   those  prudent   measures   taken 
for  carrying  on  of  that   great    work,    but   the    people  of  Con- 
necticut, doubting  of  maintaining   their  ground  without  some 
further    support,  [^they   with    great    industry    went     through 


158  HISTORY  OF  THE   PAEISH 

their  colony  for  subscriptions  to  build  a  college  at  a  place 
called  Seabrook ;  and  the  ministers  who  are  as  absolute 
in  their  respective  parishes,  as  the  Pope  of  Rome,  argued,  prayed, 
and  preached  up  the  necessity  of  it ;  and  the  passive  obedience, 
people  who  dare  not  do  otherwise  than  obey,  gave  even  beyond 
their  ability.  A  thing  which  they  call  a  college  was  prepared 
accordingly,  wherein,  as  I  am  informed,  a  commencement  was 
made  about  three  or  four  months  ago.  But  notwithstanding 
their  new  college  here,  and  an  old  one  in  Boston,  and  that  every 
town  in  that  colony  has  one,  and  some  two  ministers,  and  have 
not  only  heard  them  say,  but  seen  it  in  their  prints,  that  there 
was  no  place  in  the  world  where  the  gospel  shone  so  brightly, 
nor  that  the  people  lived  so  religiously  and  well  as  they ;  yet  I 
dare  aver,  that  there  is  not  a  much  greater  necessity  of  having 
the  christian  religion  in  its  true  light  preached  anywhere  than 
amongst  them.  Many,  if  not  the  greatest  number  of  them,  being 
little  better  than  in  a  state  of  heathenism  ;  having  never  been 
baptized  nor  admitted  to  the  communion.  And  that  you  may 
be  satisfied  what  I  tell  you  herein  is  not  spoken  at  random,  nor 
grounded  on  careless  observation,  Mr.  Muirson's  parish  is  more 
than  three  fourths  of  it  composed  of  two  towns,  viz  :  Rye  and 
Bedford,  which  were  first  settled  unde  the  colony  of  Connecti- 
cut, and  of  the  people  bred  and  born  under  that  government ;  and 
some  time  before  my  coming,  had  a  minister,  one  Mr.  Denham, 
and  had  afterwards  two  more,  Woodbridge  and  Bovvers,  at  Rye, 
and  one  Mr.  Jones,  at  Bedford  ;  and  the  people  of  Rye  only  had 
of  this  county  the  care  to  provide  a  parsonage  house  ;  and  not- 
withstanding all  those  great  shows  of  religion,  and  that  at  such 
times  as  they  were  destitute  of  a  minister. 

Greenwich  and  Stamford,  the  bounds  of  the  former  of  which 
places  join  upon  theirs,  and  the  other  is  not  above  ten  miles  dis- 
tant, where  they  were  always  supplied.  But  they  could  not  be 
said  to  want  the  opportunity  of  having  the  sacraments  admin- 
istered to  them,  yet  I  believe  20  of  them  had  never  received  the 
communion,  nor  half  of  them  been  baptized,  as  Mr.  Muirson  will 
more  fully  inform  you.  And  now  I  have  given  you  an  account 
of  the  state  of  that  colony,  what  will  in  the  next  place  be  natur- 


AND  CHURCn  OF  RYE.  159 

ally  expected  lrom  me  ;  is  to  know  my  opinion  of  the  best  and 
most  probable  way  of  doing  good  amongst  them. 

There  is  nothing  more  certain,  than  that  it  is  the  most  diffi- 
cult task  the  Society  have  to  wade  through.  For  the  people  are 
not  only  not  of  the  church,  but  have  been  and  are  trained  up 
with  all  the  care  imaginable  to  be  its  enemies.  That  to  make 
an  impression  under  all  those  disadvantages  is  very  difficult, 
though  I  hope  not  impossible  ;  and  though,  at  first  view,  the 
prospect  of  doing  any  good  upon  them  is  very  little,  yet  no  doubt 
but  the  most  proper  measures  ought  to  be  taken,  leaving  the  event 
to  Almighty  God. 

Now,  to  give  you  my  thoughts  in  what  way  this  great  work 
may  best  be  endeavoured  at,  so  as  it  may  be  done  with  little  ex- 
pense. I  believe,  for  the  first  step,  the  most  proper  way  would 
be,  that  one  of  the  ministers  in  this  country  were  directed  by  my 
Lord  of  London  to  inform  himself  where  there  are  any  in  that 
government  that  profess  themselves  to  be  of  the  church,  and  to 
know  if  they  or  any  ot  their  neighbours  have  any  children  to  bap- 
tize, or  desire  to  partake  of  the  sacrament ;  and  that  he  will 
come  to  the  towns  where  they  live,  and  after  having  given  them 
a  sermon,  will  perform  those  holy  rites.  There  need,  I  think, 
no  more  be  done  in  this  matter  for  the  present.  But  the  Socie- 
ty may,  if  they  please,  leave  the  rest  to  me,  and  I  won't  only 
give  him  the  best  advice  and  directions  I  can  therein,  but  will, 
God  willing,  wait  upon  him  in  his  progress,  and  persuade  some 
useful  friends  along  with  me.  And  when  this  essay  has  been 
made,  I  shail  b3  much  better  able  to  ^uess  at  the  state  of  that 
government,  and  what  is  fitting  to  be  done  next.  Now  the  per- 
son that  I  would  advise  them  to  pitch  upon  by  all  means  for 
this  expedition,  is  Mr.  Mnirson,  he  being  not  only  posted  next 
those  parts,  and  so  will  look  less  like  design,  but  he  has  a  very 
happy  way  of  delivery,  and  makes  little  use  of  his  notes  in  preach- 
ing, which  is  extremely  taking  amongst  those  people;  and  for 
argument,  few  of  his  years  exceed  him. 

The  chief  end  I  have  in  this  projection,  is  to  have  the  people 
of  that  government  undeceived  in  their  notions  concernin0,  our 
church,;  there  being,  I  believe,  fifteen  thousand  in  that  colony 


160  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

who  have  never  heard,  nor  scarce  seen  a  church  of  England 
minister;  and  I  have  the  charity  to  believe,  that  after  having 
heard  one  of  our  ministers  preach,  they  will  not  look  upon  our 
church  to  be  such  a  monster  as  she  is  represented  ;  and  being 
convinced  of  some  of  the  cheats,  many  of  them  may  duly  con- 
sider of  the  sin  of  schism.  However,  let  the  success  be  what  it 
will,  to  me  the  duty  seems  plain.  1  have  not  only  mentioned 
this  to  yon,  but  in  my  letter  to  my  Lord  of  London,  and  shall 
patiently  wait  for  his  and  the  Society's  commands  therein. 

I  will  now  proceed  in  giving  direct  answers  to  the  several 
queries  mentioned  in  yours.     Having  as  yet,  only  spoke  to  the 
first,  so  shall  now  take  the  rest  in  course  ;  and  as  for  Mr.   Moor's 
mission,  you  will  undoubtedly  have  the  account  thereof  very  ful- 
ly by  Mr.  Talbot,  whose  place  he  supplies,  having  not  thought  it 
worth  the  while  to  stay  at  Albany.     A.s  for  my  opinion  in  that 
matter,  I  think  it  is  too  heavy  for  the  Society  to  meddle  with  at 
present,  and  would  properly  lie  as  a  burthen  upon  the  crown,  to 
be  defrayed  out  of  the  revenue  here.     For  their  being  brought 
over  to  our  holy  faith,  will  at  the  same  time,  secure  them  in  their 
fidelity  to  the  government;  and  not  only  that,  but    the  Society 
will,  1  believe,  find  employment  enough  for  their  money  in  send- 
ing of  missionaries  amongst  those  who  call  themselves  christians, 
on  the  coast  of  America  ;  which  I  find  to  be  their  resolution. — 
And  it  is  certainly  the  greatest  charity  in  the  world,  to  have  the 
best  religion  planted  in  these  parts,  which  with  time  will,  in  all 
probability,  be  so  vast  a  country  and  people.     But  whether  the 
charge  of  missionaries  for  converting  the  Indians  fall  to  the  share 
of  the  Crown  or  the  Society,  to  effect  that  matter  well  and  thor- 
oughly, those  sent  over  on  that  errand,  must  be  such  as  can  en- 
dure hardships,  and  are  able  and  willing  to  live  with  the  Indians 
in  their  own  country,  and  according  to  their  way  and  manner, 
which  are  the  methods  the  French  take  ;    and  I  believe  some  of 
those  gentlemen  who  have  had  their  education  in  the  colleges  of 
the  north  part  of  Scotland,  being  in  orders  from  my  Lord  of  Lon- 
don, may  be  the  likeliest  to  undergo  it.     As  for  Mr.  Dellius,  I 
don't  think  it  worth  the  while  in  being  at  any  extraordinary 
charge  in  sending  of  him  ;  because  I  believe  no  consideration 
would  make  him  live  in  the  Indian  country;    and  if  he  did,  he 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  161 

has  not  the  language ;  and  one  that  goes  on  that  mission  must 
be  a  young  man,  who  is  able  to  grapple  with  fatigues,  and  will 
not  only  take  pains,  but  is  capable  of  learning  the  language ;  and 
it  is  a  general  observation,  that  none  are  so  apt  to  gain  foreign 
tongues  as  the  Scotch. 

As  for  my  thoughts  of  the  Society's  having  appointed  that 
good  man,  Mr.  Neau,  as  catechist  to  the  Negroes  and  Indians,  it 
is  undoubtedly  a  very  good  work ;  and  he  is  wonderfully  in- 
dustrious in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  the  truth  is,  takes 
more  pains  than  he  needs,  by  going  from  house  to  house  to  per- 
form that  office  ;  and  I  believe  he  would  find  it  as  effectual  to 
gain  the  end,  and  not  the  fourth  part  of  the  trouble  to  himself, 
to  appoint  set  times  in  having  them  together  at  the  English 
church,  or  at  least  so  many  at  once  as  may  be  proper,  and  cate- 
chise and  instruct  them.  And  Mr.  Vesey  assures  me  that  he 
shall  be  very  free  and  willing  to  let  him  have  the  use  of  the 
church  for  that  purpose.  And  now  I  am  on  this  subject,  it  will 
be  very  proper  that  the  society  direct  Mr.  Cleator,  if  he  comes 
over,  or  any  schoolmaster  whom  they  appoint  in  their  respective 
places,  to  catechise  and  instruct  the  Negroes  and  Indians  ;  and 
that  the  ministers  in  their  several  parishes  were  desired  to  send 
a  list  of  all  the  slaves  or  free  negroes  and  Indians,  the  society 
would  then  see  how  that  matter  was  further  worth  their  con- 
sideration. 

I  did,  in  my  former  letters,  make  mention  of  one  Mr.  Bonder, 
a  French  Protestant  minister,  who  is  in  orders  from  the  Bishop 
of  London.  He  is  a  good  man,  and  preaches  very  intelligibly 
in  English,  which  he  does  every  third  Sunday,  in  his  French 
congregation,  when  he  uses  the  liturgy  of  the  church.  He  has 
done  a  great  deal  of  service  since  his  first  coming  into  this  coun- 
try, and  is  well  worth  the  thoughts  of  the  society.  The  town 
he  lives  in  is  called  New  Rochelle,  a  place  settled  by  French 
Protestants  ;  it  is  comprehended  in  Mr.  Bartow's  parish,  and  con- 
tributes towards  his  maintenance,  which  disables  them,  in  a 
great  measure,  to  pay  towards  Mr.  Bondet's,  who  is  in  very  great 
want.  It  is  true,  besides  twenty  pounds  a  year,  which  the  peo- 
ple of  New  Rochelle  promise  him,  and  is  very  ill  paid,  he  has 

11 


162  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

thirty  pounds  a  year  settled  on  him  out  of  the  public  revenue 
here,  as  the  French  minister  in  York  hath  ;  but  that  is  paid  with 
so  much  uncertainty,  that  he  starves  under  the  prospect  of  it. 

Now  for  a  remedy  for  this  poor  gentleman,  and  that  he  may 
be  made  as  useful  to  the  church  as  possible ;  if  the  society  would 
use  their  interest  that  he  might  have  an  order  from  the  court  that 
he  may  not  only  forthwith  be  paid  his  arrears,  but  that  he  should 
afterwards  have  his  money  by  quarterly  payments ;  and  that 
at  the  same  time,  he  be  directed  by  the  Bishop  of  London,  to 
consult  with  and  be  helpful  to  Mr.  Bartow  and  Mr.  Muirson,  in 
taking  care  of  the  scattering  towns  of  their  parishes;  especially 
Mr.  Bartow's,  where  it  is  impossible  for  any  one  to  manage  it. 
And  whereas,  he  has  been  obliged  for  his  bread,  to  use  the  French 
prayers  in  his  French  congregation,  according  to  the  order  of 
the  Protestant  churches  of  France,  and  he  had  that  liberty  gran- 
ted him  (as  he  tells  me)  upon  his  receiving  of  orders,  it  is  his 
earnest  request,  that  he  might  have  directions  relating  thereunto, 
wherein  he  might  be  required  not  to  use  otherwise  than  the 
liturgy  of  our  church  in  any  congregations  where  he  preacheth, 
whether  English  or  French  ;  and  it  would  be  well  that  some 
French  common  prayer  books  and  catechisms  were  sent  over  for 
that  purpose.  The  reason  of  desiring  an  order  of  that  nature  is, 
that  it  would  put  the  matter  out  of  dispute.  Mr.  Bondet  and  I 
have  gone  as  far  as  we  can  in  that  affair,  and  it  would  spend 
too  much  time  to  tell  you  what  tempests  we  waded  through  in 
attempting  it,  but  if  directions  came  from  England  about  it,  none, 
I  believe,  would  be  found  to  oppose  it.  The  chief  cause  of  its 
being  hindered  with  so  much  heat  was,  that  the  French  con- 
gregation in  York  were  apprehensive  that  it  might  be  a  prece- 
dent for  them  ;  and  for  that  reason  fired  the  most  ignorant  of 
Mr.  Bondet's  people,  and  persuaded  them  to  recant  from  what 
they  had  agreed  to.  But  I  must  do  the  most  sensible  of  them 
the  justice,  that  they  hold  fast  their  integrity,  and  are  willing  to 
receive  the  church. 

If  this  matter  goes  forward,  I  expect  that  the  greatest  part  of 
the  people  of  New  Rochelle  will  cease  their  contributions  to  Mr. 
Bondet ;  so  I  must  desire  the  society  to  consider  him  with  some 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  1G3 

allowance  in  England.  And  if  effectual  care  could  be  taken  that 
30/.  is  paid  him,  15/.  sterling  more,  with  the  small  helps  he  will 
have  from  those  who  will  continue  steady  to  the  church,  will 
enable  him  to  maintain  himself  and  family. 

If  care  is  not  already  taken  therein,  in  the  instructions  which 
are  preparing,  it  will  be  of  absolute  necessity,  that  the  clergy  of 
this  county  be  directed  to  meet  twice  at  least,  annually,  and 
taking  to  their  assistance  the  best  and  most  sensible  of  their 
parishes,  to  consult  of  the  most  effectual  ways  for  settling  the 
church;  and  to  give  you  an  impartial  account  how  the  parishes  are 
settled  in  point  of  conveniency,  and  which  way  it  may  be  better 
done,  not  only  to  make  it  easy  for  themselves,  but  so  as  the  bread 
of  life  may  be  fairly  and  equally  divided  amongst  their  people, 
that  proper  measures  might  be  taken,  in  having  it  regulated  by 
an  act  of  Assembly  ;  for  if  something  of  this  nature  is  not  done, 
one  half  the  people  of  the  county  won't  have  much  benefit  by  all 
the  cost  that  is  laid  out  upon  them.  In  the  conclusion  of  your 
last  letter,  you  tell  me  that  you  had  sent  some  common  prayers 
and  catechisms,  by  Mr.  Mackenzy,  but  do  not  understand  he  hag 
brought  any  ;  so  beg  of  you  to  inquire  into  that  mistake  ;  and  in 
case  you  send  any  other  books  to  be  disposed,  pray  let  them  only 
be  Dr.  Beveridge's  (now  Bishop  of  St.  Asaph,)  Sermon  concerning 
the  common  prayers,  a  little  book  entitled :  "  A  Christian's  Way  to 
Heaven,"  and  one  of  the  Lawfulness  of  the  common  prayer.  No 
books  can  be  more  serviceable  than  they  ;  and  I  would  take  care 
to  have  them  scattered  through  Connecticut  colony  to  both  min- 
isters and  people,  and  am  apt  to  believe  they  would  do  service. 
As  for  the  deputation  the  society  are  now  pleased  to  send  me,  I 
am  exceeding  sorry  I  can  do  them  no  service  therein  ;  for  the 
people  of  this  county,  having  generally  land  of  their  own,  al- 
though they  don't  want,  few  or  none  of  them  very  much  abound  ; 
there  being  besides,  a  settlement  belonging  to  Col.  Morris,  and 
another  to  Mr.  Philips,  and  mine,  not  any  that  belong  to  partic- 
ular men  of  any  great  value  in  the  county  ;  nor  are  there  ten  in 
the  whole  county  but  what  have  been  brought  over  to  the 
church  since  I  came  into  the  province,  that  truly  sir,  if  we  can 
persuade  them  to  build  and  finish  their  churches  and  schools, 


164  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

help  to  maintain  their  ministers  and  schoolmasters,  and  fit  con- 
veniences for  them,  it  is  the  most  that  can  be  expected  till  things 
are  better  settled,  and  the  church  a  more  firm  footing  among 
them.  I  have  not  had  the  happiness  to  be  in  company  with 
Col.  Morris  since  I  received  the  deputation  ;  but  shall  discourse 
with  him  concerning  that  matter  when  I  see  him  next.  I  could 
offer  some  few  things  more  to  the  consideration  of  the  society, 
but  time  won't  permit  me  to  enlarge,  so  I  shall  reserve  it  to  the 
next  opportunity.  So  with  my  humble  duty  to  the  society,  beg- 
ging their  pardon  for  the  trouble  I  have  given  them  therewith, 
I  desire  to  remain,  sir,  &c,  &c. 

Caleb  Heathcote."  a 

We  have  seen  that  the  first  services  in  Rye,  according  to  the 
rites  of  the  Church  of  England,  were  held  by  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Pritchard,  in  the  town  house.  This  practice  appears  to  have 
been  continued  until  the  completion  of  the  stone  church,  referred 
to  by  Mr.  Muirson,  in  his  first  report  to  the  Secretary.  The 
license  to  erect  an  English  Church  in  the  town  of  Rye,  bears 
date  22nd  of  January,  1706. 

LICENSE  FROM  GOVERNOUR  CORNBURY   TO  BUILD   A 
CHURCH  IN  RYE. 

"  By  His  Ex'cy,  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury,  Capt.  Gen.  &  Gov.  in  Chief  of  ye 
Province  of  New- York,  New  Jersey,  and  of  all  the  Territories,  and  Tracts 
of  Land  Depending  thereon,  in  America,  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  fame, 
&c. 
It  being  the  incumbent  duty  of  all  good  Christians  to  serve  Almighty  God  in  a  de- 
cent manner,  I  have  by  virtue  of  the  power  and  authority  to  me  given,  by  her 
Majesties   Letters   Pattents  and  the  Broad  Seale  of  England,  hereby  Licensed 
and  Impowered  the  Rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Rye,  in  the  County  of 
Westchester,  in  the  said  Province  of  New- York,  to  erect  and  build  a  Church  in 
the  said  Town,  for  thepublick  worship  of  God,   and   the  encouragement  and  in- 
crease of  the  Christian  Religion,  according  to  the  rites  and  Ceremonies  of   the 
Church  of  England,  as  by  law  Established,  and  likewise  to  procure,  obtain  and  re- 
ceive the  gifts  and  Contributions  of  all  such  as  shall  be  Piously  inclined   to  the 
Promoting  and  Carrying  on  the  work  aforesaid.    Given  under  my  hand  and  Seal 
at  Fort  Anne,  in  New- York,  this  22d  day  of  January,  in  ye  fourth  year  of  the 


»  Church  Rec.  Francis  L.  Hawks',  D.  D.,  vol.  i.  29, 


AND  CHTJRCn  OF  RYE.  165 

Reigne  of  our  Sovereign  Lady  Anne,  by  the  grace  of  God  of  England,  Scotland 
France,  and  Ireland,  Queen,  Defender  of  the  faith,  &c,  Anno  Dom.  1705-6. 

CORNBURY. 

By  his  Excellency's  Command, 

George  Clarke."* 

Mr.  Wetmore,  writing  to  the  Secretary  in  1728,  says  : — "  That 
the  chief  promoter  of  the  Church  and  its  greatest  benefactor  was 
Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  who  gave  the  nails  and  all  the  iron  work* 
Mr.  Muirson  paid  the  masons,  whose  work  amounted  to  about 
£40."  (He  probably  procured  the  money  by  donations  in 
New-York.)  "  The  remainder  was  paid  by  tax  upon  the  Town. 
Nothing  more  of  the  inside  was  done  in  Mr.  Muirson's  time  but 
the  ceiling." 

This  church  stood  exactly  upon  the  same  ground  as  the  present 
edifice,  where  God  has  been  worshipped  for  nearly  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years.  Mr.  Muirson  having  been  requested  to 
baptize  several  families  in  Connecticut,  obtained  the  following 
license  from  the  Governour  for  that  purpose  : — 

A  LICENSE  TCTREY.  GEORGE  MUIRSON  TO  BAPTIZE    IN  CON- 
NECTICUT. 

"  By  his  Excellency  Edw.,  YiscountCornbury,  &c.  Whereas,  I  am  inform- 
ed that  severall  persons  in  the  Towns  of  Stamford,  Hertford,  and  severall  other 
places  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticutt,  ha'  e  not  been  baptized  by  reason  they 
have  had  no  Church  of  England  Minister  among  them  ;  and  being  now  desierous 
to  be  baptized  by  such  a  Minister,  I  have  therefore  thought  fitt,  and  do  hereby  give 
and  grant  unto  the  said  Ge*o.  Muirson,  full  and  free  liberty,  leave  and  lycense  to 
visit  those  places  and  persons  for  the  service  aforesaid,  from  time  to  time,  as 
often  as  you  shall  be  thereunto  requested  by  them. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Fort  Anne,  in  New- York,  this  4th  day  of  Aprill, 
11706.)"  b 

Of  his  own  parish  Mr.  Muirson  again  reports  : — 


*  Albany  deed  book,  x.  101.  Sec.  office. 

*  Doc.  Hist.  New- York,  vol.  iii,  936. 


166  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

MR.  MUIRSON  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  May  22d,  1706. 
Hon'd  Sir, 

"  I  think  myself  obliged  to  embrace  every  opportunity  to 
give  the  Honourable  Society  an  account  of  the  state  of  the 
Church  in  my  Parish. 

I  have  baptized  about  two  hundred,  young  and  old,  but  most 
adult  persons,  and  am  in  hopes  of  initiating  many  more  into  the 
church  of  Christ,  after  I  have  examined,  taught,  and  find  them 
qualified.  This  is  a  large  parish  ;  the  towns  are  far  distant ; 
the  people  were  some  Quakers,  some  Anabaptists,  but  chiefly 
Presbyterians  and  Independents;  they  were  violently  set  against 
our  church,  but  now  (blessed  be  God,)  they  comply  heartily,  for 
I  have  now  above  forty  communicants,  and  only  six  when  1  first 
administered  that  holy  sacrament,  two  of  which  never  received 
before,  several  others  will  gladly  joyne  quickly,  whom  I  intend 
to  admit  when  I  shall  think  them  worthy.  I  find  that  catechi- 
sing on  the  week  days  in  the  remote  towns,  and  frequent  visi- 
ting is  of  great  service,  and  I  am  sure  I  have  made  twice  more 
proselytes  by  proceeding  after  that  method,  than  by  public 
preaching. 

Every  fourth  Sunday  I  preach  at  Bedford,  and  I  am  afraid, 
without  success,  for  they  are  a  very  willful,  stubborn  people  in 
that  town,  there  are  about  120  unbaptiz3d,  and  notwithstanding 
all  the  means  I  have  used,  I  could  not  presuade  them  of  the 
necessity  of  that  holy  ordinance  till  of  late,  (thanks  be  to  Al- 
mighty God  for  it,)  some  of  them  begin  to  conform.  I  intend  to 
stay  a  month  at  once  with  them,  which  I  hope  by  God's  help, 
will  produce  good  effect.  The  town  of  Rye  are  very  diligent 
in  building  our  Church,  which  will  be  finished  this  sum- 
mer ;  it  is  of  stone  50  foot  long,  and  36  foot  wide,  and  20  foot 
high,  besides  a  steeple,  which  is  to  be  finished  next  summer. 
This  town  is  very  willing  to  do  what  they  can,  but  extremely 
poor,  therefore  we  humbly( address  our  superiors  at  home  to  as- 
sist us  with  some  nesessaries  which  cannot  be  procured  here, i.e. 
furniture  for  the  communion  table,  the  pulpit  and  a  bell.      I  in- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  167 

treat  you  to  remind  the  Society  to  send  me  the  books,  for 
I  stand  in  great  need  of  them.  I  have  drawn  two  bills  upon  the 
Treasurer  which  I  hope  he  has  paid,  according  to  the  Society's 
promise  that  if  I  went  to  Rye,  or  elsewhere  but  York  City,  they 
would  allow  me  £50  per  annum,  with  other  missionaries : — I  am 
invited  by  some  persons  in  Connecticut  Colony,  to  baptize  their 
children;  the  town  is  called  Stratford,  about  60  miles  distant, 
whither  I  intend  to  go  in  a  few  days.  By  the  next  I  shall  give 
you  an  account  of  what  progress  I  made.  Several  representa- 
tions have  been  made  of  my  neighbour,  Mr.  Bondet,  French 
Minister  at  New  Rochelle,  I  know  him  to  be  a  very  good,  pious 
person,  very  diligent  in  the  service  of  the  church,  he  truly  de- 
serves some  consideration.  Col.  Heathcote  is  highly  instrumen- 
tal in  promoting  the  interest  of  our  holy  church,  both  by  his  ex- 
ample and  persuasions  ;  he  has  given  all  the  iron  work  to  our 
church  at  Rye.  I  shall  not  offer  you  any  further  trouble  at 
present,  seeing  the  worthy  Mr.  Evans,  (who  is  bearer)  is  well 
acquainted  with  our  circumstances,  and  has  promised  to  give 
you  an  account.  I  beg  your  prayers  for  my  further  success  in 
my  ministry.  I  ever  shall  remain  beseeching  God  to  keep  up 
your  glorious  work  in  hand,  for  his  glory  and  men's  good. 
Sir, 

Your  most  faithful 

and  obedient  Servant, 

George  Muirson.*" 

COL.  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

New- York,  April  16*//,  1706. 

Sir: 

"  I  wrote  you  a  very  long  letter  by  the  Jamaica  Fleet,  and  being 

informed  that  those  convoys  are  arrived,  it  will  be  needless  to 

trouble  you  with  any  duplicate  thereof.  As  for  the  affairs  relating 

to  the  Church,  they  continue  to  go  on  exceeding  well   in  this 

»  New- York,  M3S.  from  Archives  at  Fulham.  vol.  i.  139.    (Hawks'.) 


168  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Parish,  where  there  hath  been  about  200  baptized,  and  most  grown 
persons,  since  Mr.  Muirson's  coming  ;  and  about  20  or  25  added 
to  the  communion,  and  if  it  please  God  to  preserve  him  amongst 
us  a  year  longer,  I  believe  this  Parish  will  as  generally  con- 
form to  the  Church  as  most  Parishes  in  *he  Q,ueuns  dominions ; 
which  I  must  confess  is  very  wonderfuil,  and  I  wish  with  all 
my  heart  I  could  say  so  much  of  Westchester.  But  I  hope  after 
the  ministers  of  this  county  have  settl'd  their  monthly  lectures* 
which  they  are  about  to  do,  we  shall  in  a  little  time  find  an  alter- 
ation in  things  much  for  the  better.  I  have  since  my  last  been 
taking  some  pains  to  find  out  the  best  ways  for  introducing  tho 
Church  into  the  neighbouring  colony  of  Connecticut,  and  am  in- 
formed that  there  are  a  considerable  number  at  a  place  called 
Stratford,  about  6  miles  from  this  parish,  who  are  willing  to  con- 
form, and  some  families  who  refuse  baptism  from  any  other  than 
a  church  of  England  minister ;  that  Mr.  Muirson  intends,  God 
willing,  about  a  month  hence,  to  take  a  journey  amongst  them 
where  I  design,  God  willing,  to  accompany  him,  and  after  tha* 
progress,  we  shall  be  able  to  give  a  better  account  of  ye  state  of 
that  Colony  relating  to  the  Church.  In  my  last  I  made  bold  to 
recommend  Mr.  Bondet  to  the  Society  as  a  worthy  object  to  their 
favour,  he  having  always  been  very  firm  and  zealous  for  the 
Church,  and  if  he  has  been  otherwise  represented  to  the  Society, 
they  have  not  done  him  justice.  What  I  have  to  request  in  his 
behalf  is,  that  the  society  would  be  pleased  to  use  their  interest, 
that  he  might  have  an  order  from  home,  that  the  £30  a  year 
which  is  settled  upon  him  by  the  Government,  may  be  punctually 
paid  him  in  quarterly  payments,  and  that  the  Society  would  add 
£15  sterling  more  to  it,  which  would  enable  that  poor  gen- 
tleman to  live,  directing  him  at  the  same  time  not  only  to  ad- 
vise and  consult  with  Mr.  Bartow  and  Mr.  Muirson,  of  the  best 
methods  for  propagating  the  Church  in  this  county,  but  likewise 
to  assist  Mr.  Bartow  by  preaching  in  his  parish,  it  being  not  pos. 
sible  that  any  one  man  can  take  care  of  more  than  half  of  it. — 
I  wrote  you  by  Mr.  Talbot,  that  the  people  of  this  Parish  had 
resolved  to  build  them  a  stone  church,  and  had  made  some  pre- 
parations by  carting  stone  in  order  to  it.     They  have  since  got 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  169 

most  of  their  timber  upon  the  place  and  about  14  days  hence  the 
masons  will  begin  to  work  ;  that  I  hope  with  God's  assistance  we 
shall  against  Winter  have  it  so  forward  as  to  preach  in.  I  hope 
it  won't  be  long  ere  we  shall  see  Mr.  Cleator,  whom  we  want 
very  much,  and  would  be  of  infinite  use  in  the  thorough  settle- 
ment of  the  Church  in  this  Parish.  We  are  in  dayly  expecta- 
tion of  the  mast  fleet,  by  whose  return  you  shall,  God  willing, 
have  a  very  long  letter  from  me.  So  with  my  most  humble 
duty  to  the  Society,  begging  their  pardon  for  my  brevity  at  this 
time,  1  remain, 

Sir, 

Your  affectionate,  humble  Servant, 

Caleb  Heathcote."  a 

MR.  MUIRSON  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Honor'd  Sir, 

"Please  to  give  me  leave  to  present  by  you,  my  most  humble 
duty  and  respect  to  the  Honourable  Society,  with  an  assurance 
that  I  always  shall  from  time  to  time  give  'em  an  account  (accord- 
ing to  their  desire)  of  the  condition  of  the  church,  where  I  am 
concerned  ;  and  that  having  written  so  lately,  I  have  nothing 
new  at  present  to  offer,  only,  that  since  that  time  I  have  baptized 
several,  both  old  and  young,  that  the  number  of  communicants  in- 
creases daily,  and  the  people  frequent  the  Church  duly  on  Sun- 
days. They  seem  to  like  the  ways  of  the  Church  very  well, 
but,  (as  in  all  other  places,)  there  are  some  stubborn,  ill  natured 
persons  among  'em,  yet  I'm  encouraged  to  hope  that  in  time,  (by 
God's  blessing  upon  my  endeavours)  I  shall  bring  over  even  those 
to  have  a  good  opinion  of  our  Constitutions.  The  stone-work  of  our 
Church  is  finished  and  covered,  but  the  winter  approaching  and 
the  people  being  extremely  poor  and  having  exhausted  what  lit- 
tle money  they  had,  on  what  is  done  already,  we  cannot^proceed 
any  further  this  fall,  but  hope  next  year  to  finish  all,  with  a  steeple, 


■  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  89-91.    (Hawks'.) 


170  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH. 

which  when  completed  will  make  a  large  and  beautiful  Building. 
Expositions   on  the  Church  Catechisms  and  Common  Prayer 
Book's  are  much  wanted — Please  to  communicate  to  your  Society 
that  I  have  lately  been  in  Connecticut  Colony,  and  found  some 
persons  well  disposed  towards  the  Church.   I  preached  in  Strat- 
ford to  a  very  numerous  congregation  both  forenoon  and  afternoon. 
I  baptized   about  twenty  four  persons  ye  same  day — I  intend 
another  journey  thither  again  quickly,  being  invited  to  baptize 
their  children,  and  hope  (by  the  Divine  aid)  to  make  a  fair  be- 
ginning for  the  Establishment  of  the  Church  in  a  considerable 
part  of  that  Government. — There  are  I'm  informed,  some  thou- 
sands of  persons  in  that  Colony  unbaptized,  and  the  reason  is 
this,  most  of  their  ministers  refuse  to  admit  any  children  into 
Christ's  Church  by  Baptism,  but  those  whose  Parents  are  in  full 
communion  with  them — The  Independents  threaten  me  and  all 
those  that  are  Instrumental  in  bringing  me  thither,  with  Prison 
and  hard  usage. — They  are  very  much  incensed  to  see  that  the 
Church  (Rome's  Sister  as  they  ignorantly  call  her)  is  like  to  gain 
ground  among  'em,  and  use  all  the  stratagems  they  can  invent  to 
defeat  my  enterprises.3-    But  however,  since  I  hope  my  superiors 
approve  of  my  undertaking,  I  shall  not  fail  to  visit,  as  often  as 
the  affairs  of  my  Parish  will  permit ;  neither  shall  all  they  can  do 
or  say  discourage  from  prosecuting  (to  the  utmost  of  my  ability) 
so  good  a  design.     1  shall  be  glad  to  receive  the  instructions  of 
your  Honourable  Corporation  by  the  next  opportunity,  which  I 
shall  always  think  myself  happy  in  obeying.     In  the  meantime 
shall  continue  to  proceed  in  this  method  till  I  receive  further 
orders.     The  Hon.  Col.  Heathcote  (who  always  studies  and  en- 
deavours the  good  of  the  Church)  has  been  very  diligent  and 
industrious  in  carrying  on  this  great  work  ;  the  eminency  of  his 


a  The  spirit  of  the  Puritans  at  Stratford,  (says  Dr.  Chapin,)  may  be  inferred  from 
a  single  fact.  .Not  long  after  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Muirson,  Isaac  Nell,  one  of 
the  Churchwardens  there— a  man  of  unblamsable  conversation — also  died,  where- 
upon some  doggrel  verses  were  written  and  circulated  there,  having  these  lines, : 

"Isaac  Nell  is  gone  to  hell 

To  tell  Mr  Muirson  that  his  Church  is  well." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  17i 

station,  and  with  all  his  favouring  and  countenancing  my  at- 
tempts of  this  nature,  is  of  so  great  consequence  among  the  peo- 
ple, that  truly  what  success  I  have  hitherto  had,  either  at  home 
or  abroad,  is  more  owing  to  his  prudent  conduct,  than  the  best  of 
my  weak  labours.  He  honours  me  with  his  good  company  in 
all  such  progresses,  and  exerts  his  utmost  endeavours  to  settle 
the  Church  wherever  he  goes,  which  will  recommend  him  the 
esteem  and  regard  of  all  good  men,  but  especially  (I'me  persua- 
ded) of  your  worthy  members.  Let  me  entreat  you  to  send  the 
books  the  Society  promised  me.  Shall  rejoice  often  to  receive 
yourcommands.  I  earnestly  beg  your  Prayers  that  my  labours 
may  be  blessed  with  that  happy  success  that  God's  glory  may 
be  advanced,  and  his  people's  good,  farthered  ;  and  that  God,  of 
his  infinite  goodness,  may  bless  and  direct  your  Honourable  body 
in  so  glorious  and  laudable  design,  and  at  last  reward  you  all 
with  eternal  bliss,  is  the  frequent  Prayer  of 

Honor'd  Sir, 

Your  most  faithful, 

humble  Servant, 

George  Muirson. 

Rye,  October  2d,  1706. 
Directions  are 

To  Jno.  Chamberlayne,  Esq."  B 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  the  MSS.  of  the  Vener- 
able Society,  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts  : — 

COL.  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY.  . 

Sir, 

"  After  I  had  finished  my  other  letter  by  the  bearer,  Mr.  Evans, 
he  resolving  to  tarry  a  month  or  six  weeks  longer  than  he  first 
proposed,  gives  me  the  opportunity  to  send  you  what  new  mat- 

*■  Conn.  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  p.  5.    (Hawks'.) 


172  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

ter  hath  since  occurred.  And  to  begin  with  Connecticut:  about 
fourteen  days  ago,  Mr.  Muirson  paid  his  congregation  in  those 
parts  a  visit,  and  had  the  happiness  to  be  accompanied  with  Mr. 
Evans,  who  out  of  his  zeal  to  serve  the  Church,  though  of  a 
weakly  constitution,  undertook  that  troublesome  journey  ;  that 
being  an  eye  witness  to  those  affairs,  he  might  be  the  more  able 
to  give  a  satisfactory  account  concerning  the  state  of  the  Church 
there,  to  whom  I  shall  make  bold,  in  a  great  measure,  to  refer 
you.  I  bless  God  for  it,  every  thing  has  almost  outgone  my 
first  hopes,  and  I  am  very  much  of  opinion,  that  if  that  matter 
is  pushed  on  with  care,  a  wonderful  deal  of  service  may  be  done 
the  Church  in  that  government.  The  people  having  been  kept 
in  perfect  blindness,  as  many  of  them  now  declare,  and  as  I  told 
you  in  mine  by  the  Jamaica  Fleet,  it  cannot  be  a  greater  act  of 
charity  to  undeceive  the  Indians,  than  those  blinded  people,  and 
where  there  are  such  vast  numbers  debarred  from  the  benefit  of 
God's  holy  ordinance,  concerning  which  I  was  so  full  in  the  let- 
ter before  mentioned,  that  it  will  be  needless  to  enlarge  on  that 
head. 

I  did,  in  my  two  last  letters,  acquaint  you  that  there  was  a 
very  ingenious  minister  in  that  colony  who  showed  great  incli- 
nations to  come  over  to  the  Church,  and  that  I  was  of  opinion 
he  would  be  well  worthy  the  recovery  ;  I  also  told  you  that  his 
affections  for  the  Church  had  created  him  so  many  enemies ; 
that  he  had  undergone  a  sort  of  persecution  on  that  account ; 
but  now  his  enemies  have  done  their  worst  to  him.  having  turned 
him  out  of  his  living,  as  Mr.  Evans  can  more  fully  inform  you — 
he  having  seen  and  discoursed  with  him — that  as  I  really  be- 
lieve it  will  conduce  very  much  to  the  service  of  the  Church — 
and  also  in  justice  to  the  poor  gentleman,  who  has  a  large  family 
of  small  children,  who  must  come  to  ruin  and  misery,  and  be- 
come a  sacrifice  in  the  cause  of  the  Church,  which  would  be  a 
great  dishonour  not  to  be  relieved  by  us.  I  did,  therefore,  make 
bold  to  assure  bim  of  the  Society's  favors;  and  that  upon  his 
going  to  England,  and  making  a  solemn  declaration  that  he  will 
receive  orders  from  the  Bishop  of  London,  so  soon  as  he  can  with 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EYE.  173 

conveniency  do  it ;  that  to  enable  him  to  maintain  bis  family 
during  his  absence,  I  would  pass  my  word  that  he  should  be  en- 
titled to  the  usual  missionary's  allowance  of  50/.  a  year  from  the 
time  of  his  going  off  ;  and  that  in  order  thereunto,  I  would 
give  him  my  best  recommendations  to  the  Society.  So  it  is 
my  humble  request  they  would  be  pleased  to  allow  it  if  he 
comes ;  or  in  case  they  do  not  think  proper  to  settle  a  salary 
upon  him  before  such  time  as  he  is  actually  in  orders,  that  it 
may  be  considered  him  under  some  other  name  ;  because  my 
promise  to  him  is  such ;  and  I  am  not  under  the  least  doubt 
but  he  will  merit  it  by  his  services  to  the  Church. 

This  sudden  turn  concerning  Mr.  Reed,  has  put  upon  me  new 
thoughts,  which  are  to  have  Mr.  Muirson  removed  from  this 
parish,  and  that  his  mission  be  for  Connecticut  colony  in  general, 
the  place  of  his  residence  being  at  Stratford,  or  at  such  town  as 
he  shall  judge  to  be  most  for  the  service  of  the  Church.  This 
will,  in  my  opinion,  not  only  be  the  most  effectual  way  for  carry- 
ing on  that  great  work,  but  the  Society  will  be  put  to  no  diffi- 
culty in  getting  a  proper  person  ;  in  which,  if  the  least  mistake 
should  happen  as  to  the  qualification  of  a  minister,  the  whole 
mission  would  be  endangered  by  it ;  and  as  experience  hath 
fully  satisfied  us  how  fitting  Mr.  Muirson  is  for  that  undertaking, 
by  what  he  hath  already  done,  I  am  humbly  of  opinion,  for  that 
reason,  it  would  not  be  prudent  to  put  that  matter  to  a  new  risk  ; 
and,  in  the  next  place,  it  will  be  of  absolute  necessity  not  only 
to  have  a  very  good  man  in  this  place,  being  on  the  frontiers  of 
that  government,  but  also  one  who  will  be  zealously  assisting 
to  Mr.  Muirson,  in  which  none  will  be  more  proper  than  Mr. 
Reed.  And  in  case  there  is  a  removal  according  to  the  advice 
given  herewith,  it  is  my  desire  it  may  be  so ;  and  then  as  to  Mr. 
Muirson,  if  he  goes  on  that  mission,  he  cannot  have  less  allowed 
him  than  100  pounds  sterling  a  year,  because,  at  the  first  set- 
ting out,  nothing  must  be  expected  from  them,  nor  indeed  any 
offers  made  toward  it,  and  as  his  mission  will  be  four  times  as 
large  as  any  other,  so  he  must  consequently  be  in  a  perpetual 
motion,  which  will  be  chargeable  and  troublesome.     I  have  not 


174  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

had  much  talk  with  him  about  it ;  but  I  doubt  not  in  the  least, 
if  my  Lord  of  London,  and  the  Society  direct  his  removal,  I  can 
persuade  him  to  be  easy  under  it. 

I  have,  since  writing  my  other  letters,  taken  some  pains  to 
inquire  concerning  the  character  and  behaviour  of  the  bearer,  Mr. 
Evans,  and  upon  the  whole,  find  him  to  be  an  extraordinary 
good  man,  and  one  that  hath  done  very  great  service  to  the 
Church,  not  only  in  Philadelphia,  but  in  other  neighbouring 
towns  ;  that  I  am  very  much  concerned  that  there  should  be  any 
misunderstanding  betwixt  him  and  any  of  his  parish  ;  as  he  re- 
presents things,  and  being  a  very  honest,  good  man,  I  can't  help 
giving  credit  to  it.  The  Church  and  he  have  had  hard  usage  of- 
fered them ;  though  I  am  past  a  doubt  upon  making  out  those 
things  to  my  Lord  of  London,  he  will  find  means  to  settle  and 
complete  their  differences,  and  return  him  to  his  Parish  ;  and 
so  far  as  it  may  be  proper  for  the  Society  to  concern  themselves 
in  that  matter,  I  could  wish  they  would  give  their  assistance 
therein  ;  because,  whilst  they  are  in  that  broken  condition,  the 
Church  can't  but  receive  many  wounds  by  it.  I  can't  think  of 
anything  further  of  moment  at  this  time;  so  remain,  sir,  your 
obedient  servant. 

Caleb  Heathcote. 

New- York,  April  14th,  1707. 
To  Jno.  Chamberlayne,  Esq.,  etc."* 

The  following  letter  shews,  that  :  "Mr.  Muirson,  besides  his 
salary  of  £50  from  the  Society,  was  entitled  to  £50  currency,  as 
settled  by  Act  of  Assembly  on  Rye  parish  ;  but  as  his  people 
were  poor,  and  for  the  most  part  recent  converts,  he  considera- 
bly forbore  to  press  his  legal  claim,  and  during  the  first  two 
years  of  his  ministry,  had  only  received  about  ten  or  twenty 
pounds  currency ;  thus  plainly  showing  that  he  sought  not  theirs, 
but  them."b 


*  Church  Record,  Vol.  I.  317-18.    (Hawks'.) 
fc  Hawkins  Hist.  Notices,  279. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE,  175 

MR.  MUIRSON  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Much  Honor'd  Sir, 

"  I  received  your's  dated  May  2d,  1706.  The  Instructions  you 
sent  along  with  it  I'm  informed,  are*at  York,  which  will  come 
to  my  hands  quickly.  I  understand  by  yours,  that  the  Society 
expects  an  account  of  all  the  subscriptions  and  contributions, 
I  receive  from  the  Government  or  Inhabitants,  of  which  this  is 
an  exact ;  that  there  is  £50  New- York  money  settled  by  act 
of  Assembly  upon  Rye  parish,  but  the  people  being  very  poor, 
I've  received  only  about  10  or  £12  since  I've  been  their  minister. 
Its  true  1  could  compell  'em  by  Law  to  pay  the  whole,  but  such 
proceedings  I'm  well  assured  would  have  been  very  hurtful  to 
the  Interest  of  the  Church,  in  a  place  especially  surrounded  with 
Dissenters  from  all  sorts  ;  and  therefore.  I  thought  it  better  to 
have  patience  with  'em  till  they  are  more  able,  than  that  our  Glo- 
rious work  should  anyways  suffer.  They  are  all  new  Converts, 
and  so  I  must  be  with  'em  in  many  things,  tho'  to  my  present 
disadvantage,  but  I  hope  when  our  Church  is  finished,  they  will 
consider  my  circumstances  and  make  my  life  more  comfortable, 
than  hitherto  it  has  been. 

As  to  the  present  circumstance  of  my  Parish,  I've  nothing  new 
to  offer,  only  since  my  last,  I've  Baptized  several  Persons;  that 
the  number  of  Communicants  increases,  that  the  people  duly 
frequent  the  Church,  excepting  a  few  Quaker  and  Anabaptist 
Families.  There  is  a  considerable  number  of  growing  Persons  not 
yet  Baptized,  but  I  intend  to  admit  'em  after  they  are  instructed 
into  the  principles  of  thatReligion,  of  which  their  Baptism  makes 
them  members,  for  I  think  it  necessary  that  the  adult  be  first 
taught  what  they  are  to  promise  and  perform  in  that  covenant. 

It  would  be  of  great  service  if  the  Society  wou'd  be  pleased 
to  send  over  Common  Prayer  Books,  and  some  small  treatises 
in  defence  of  the  Church,  for  our  adversaries  have  mustered  up 
all  the  scandalous  and  reviling  pamphlets  they  can  get,  and 
have  dispersed  them  among  the  people  in  order  to  prejudice 'em 
against  us.  I  want  Books  very  much  for  my  own  use,  having 
only  a  few  I  bought  before  I  came  from  London,  but  I  hope  the 


176  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Society  have  been  pleased  to  consider  my  request  before  this 
time. 

I  humbly  beg  your  Prayers,  that  all  my  endeavours  may  an- 
swer the  glorious  end  of  my  mission,  and  the  advancement  of 
God's  Glory  in  the  due  edyfying  of  his  people. 

That  Almighty  God  may  be  pleased  (out  of  the  immense 
treasury  of  his  riches)  so  to  increase  your  stock,  and  bless  all 
your  laudable  designs,  that  you  may,  for  the  further  good  of  his 
Church  and  people,  send  forth  more  labourers  into  his  harvest 
shall  ever  be  ye  fervent  prayer  of 
Honored  Sir, 

Your  most  faithful  friend, 

And  very  humble  servant, 

George    Muirson."* 
Rye,  4th  April,  1707. 

COL.  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Manor  of  Scarsdale,  June  18,  1707. 
Worthy  Sir, 
"  I  received  yours  of  the  5th  June  last,  by  Mr.  Cleator.  I  am 
very  thankful  to  the  Society  for  the  books  sent  by  him  which 
shall,  with  a  more  than  common  care,  be  disposed  of  for  the 
service  of  the  Church.  As  for  the  Common  Prayer  Books,  I 
shall  not  give  or  send  'em  to  any  but  such  as  give  me  an  assu- 
rance of  their  making  a  right  use  of  them,  and  I  question  not, 
by  the  blessing  of  God,  with  the  help  of  these  Prayer  Books 
that  we  shall  be  the  most  regular  parish  in  the  Province,  except 
New-York,  as  to  the  people  making  responses ;  as  to  which  in 
most  other  places,  they  are  generally  too  defective.  I  wa?  truly 
very  much  surprised  at  Mr.  Cleator's  arrival,  for  not  having  had 
a  line  from  him  for  two  years  past,  could  not  believe  he  was 
alive,  though  he  hath  since  satisfyed  me  that  it  was  not  his 
fault,  but  the  miscarriage  of  his  letters.  He  has  entered  upon 
his  school  teaching  and  with  all  the  success  which  can  be  de- 


New-York,  MSS  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  p  8.  10.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  177 

sired,  for  the  people,  being  exceedingly  fond  of  him,  most  wil- 
lingly commit  their  children  to  his  care  to  be  trained  up  by  him 
according  to  the  discipline  of  our  church,  which,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  Almighty  God,  will  be  established  on  a  lasting  foun- 
dation in  this  parish  ;  and  besides  the  care  of  his  school,  which 
trust  he  discharges  with  the  utmost  faithfulness  when  Mr.  Muir- 
son  is  absent  from  the  town  of  Rye,  either  to  the  extreme  parts 
of  his  parish,  or  otherwise  for  the  service  of  the  church  ;  the 
people  being  called  together  after  the  usual  manner,  he  reads  the 
prayers  of  the  church  to  them,  and  a  lecture  morning  and 
evening,  and  the  people  come  very  readily  to  hear  him.     I  take 
notice  that  the  Society  are  not  willing  to  send  any  minister  nor 
ministers  into  Connecticut,  unless  they  have  a  formal  applica- 
tion ;  which  having  been  done  to  my  Lord  of  London,  and  sent 
by  Mr.  Evance,  shall  wait  till  I  know  their  result  therein.     I 
did,  in  my  former  letters,  very  earnestly  move  the  Society  that 
directions  might  be  given  to  the  missionaries  of  this  county  and 
Queens    county,  which  are  contiguous,  to  appoint  Quarterly 
Assemblies  amongst  them,  and  gave  them  my  reasons  of  how 
great  use  that  would  be  for  the  service  of  the  church,  and  should 
be  glad  they  had  taken  that  matter  into  consideration,  and  to 
know  their  result  therein.  1  am  the  more  earnest  on  this  head, 
because  I  am  of  opinion  it  will  be  of  greater  service   to  the 
church  than  can  at  first  sight  be  imagined.     I  desire  my  most 
hearty  thanks  may  be  presented  to  the  Society  for  their  favours 
to  Mr.  Cleator,  and  will  be  very  careful  that  the  charge  they  are 
at  concerning  him  shall  be  faithfully  applied  for  the  service  of 
the  church.     I  have  wrote  unto  you  so  lately  and  fully  by  Mr. 
Evance,  who  I  hope  is  ere  this  arrived,  that  I  shall  not  now  en- 
large, but  remain, 

Worthy  Sir, 

Your  most  obed't  serv't, 

Caleb  Heathcote."* 


•  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  165,  166.    (Hawks'.) 

12 


178  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Col.  Lewis  Morris,  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Ven.  So- 
ciety, "concerning  the  state  of  the  Church  in  New- York  and 
the  Jersey's,  supposed  to  be  writ  about  the  end  of  the  year  1707, 
or  beginning  of  1708,"  speaks  in  the  following  flattering  terms 
of  Mr.  Muirson  : — 

COL.  MORRIS   TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Sir, 

"  The  ministers  they  (the  Society)  have  sent,  have  gained 
some  ground,  especially  the  Rev.  Mr.  Muirson  ;  he  is  placed  on 
the  borders  of  Connecticut,  and  among  a  people  labouring  under 
the  greatest  prejudices  to  our  Holy  Church.  He  has  among 
these  made  many  converts,  and  persuaded  the  building  of  a  very 
fine  church  of  stone  in  the  town  of  Rye.  His  cure  is  not  con- 
fined to  his  parish,  but  he  sometimes  sallys  into  Connecticut, 
and  has  made  a  very  great  harvest  there ;  and  in  my  humble 
opinion,  deserves  the  thanks  of  the  Society  and  what  encour- 
agement they  can  give  him."a 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  Col.  Heathcote's  letter 
to  thejSecretary,  dated  : 

Manor  oj  Scarsdale,  18th  Dec,  1707. 

Worthy  Sir, 
"  As  to  what  you  mention  of  the  people  of  our  parish,  I  hope  we 
shall,  besides  their  zeal  in  building  the  church,  with  time,  pre- 
vail with  them  to  do  every  thing  that  is  proper  towards  the  en- 
dowing of  it ;  though  I  must  acquaint  you  that  'tis  only  the  town 
of  Rye,  and  not  the  parish  which  hath  built  it ;  and  I  hope  in 
some  years  (if  I  live)  to  have  another  church,  if  not  more,  in  the 
bounds  of  this  parish. "b 

Besides  the  above,  Col.  Heathcote  addressed  the  following  let- 
ter to  the  same  : — 


•  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  93-94.    (Hawks'.) 
[,  *  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  168, 169.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  179 

COL.  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Manor  of  Scarsdale,  2ith  Dec,  1707. 

Worthy  Sir, 

"I  do  herewith  make  bold  to  beg  your  care  in  delivering  of  the 
inclosed  to  his  Grace,  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  and  to 
make  my  apology  for  taking  that  freedom.  The  contents 
whereof  are  in  the  first  place,  to  prevail  with  his  Grace  to  use 
his  utmost  endeavours  and  interest,  that  my  Lord  Cornbury  may 
be  succeeded  in  this  Government  by  one  of  whom  there  is  all 
the  moral  assurance  that  can  be  had,  that  he  will  be  a  true  pro- 
moter of  religion  and  virtue,  and  will  not  be  wanting  in  best  en- 
deavours to  forward  that  glorious  design  the  Society  are  labour- 
ing for.  In  the  second  place,  that  he  would  give  us  his  best  as- 
sistance in  the  speedy  dispatch  of  a  Bishop,  the  great  need  and 
want  thereof  appears  more  and  more.  The  usage  of  the  two  Mis- 
sionaries, Mr.  Moore  and  Brooks,  is  an  unanswerable  argu- 
ment on  that  account ;  and  unless  there  is  a  speedy  relief  to  our 
clergy,  in  having  one  to  head  and  quiet  them,  we  may  expect 
more  examples  of  that  nature.  I  am  so  well  assured  of  your 
temper  and  zeal  for  promoting  that  great  and  good  work  the 
Society  are  labouring  for,  that  I  need  not  multipty  arguments. 
So  begging  pardon  for  this  freedom,  I  beg  leave  to  remain  un- 
alterably, &c,  &c, 

Caleb  Heathcote. 

P.  S.  I  should  be  glad  you  would  obtain  his  Grace's  assist- 
ance in  that  affair  I  wrote  to  you  about  by  Mr.  Brooks,  as  either 
that  he  would  be  pleased  to  ask  the  Queen  for  it  in  his  own 
name,  the  Society's,  or  both."* 

In  his  last  communication  to  the  secretary,  Mr.  Muirson  men- 
tions that  they  had  completed  the  house  of  God  at  Rye,  and 
gives  some  account  of  the  Indians. 


•  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  169.  170.    (Hawks'.) 


180  HISTOET  OF  THE  PARISH 

MR.  MUIRSON  TO  THE  SECRETARY". 

[extract.] 

Honor'd  Sir, 

"  You  desire  me  to  give  an  account  of  all  those  persons 
that  contribute  to  my  support  in  these  parts.  That  I  can  easily 
do  ;  they  are  but  few,  for  since  I  came  into  the  country,  I  have 
not  received  in  all  above  18J.,  tho'  there  is  a  salary  of  £50  per 
annum,  New- York  money,  established  by  act  of  Assembly  upon 
the  minister  of  this  parish :  but  the  people  being  very  poor,  and 
the  building  of  our  church  having  cost  a  great  deal,  I  thought 
it  more  proper  to  bear  with  them,  than  to  exact  by  force  what  is 
due ;  and  so  suffer  rather  in  my  own  condition,  than  that  the 
house  of  God  should  not  be  finished — which  now,  to  my  great 
comfort,  is  completed,  and  a  stately  fabric  it  is  indeed.  It  was 
built  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Rye,  without  the  help  of 
the  rest  of  the  parish.  And  as  for  subscriptions  from  other  parts 
of  The  government,  we  have  had  none ;  but  I  expect  some  at 
York,  for  making  the  pulpit,  communion  table,  and  finishing 
the  seats. 

You'direct  me  to  bring  to  the  church  the  negroes  and  Indians 
of  this  parish,  and  to  consult  with  Mr.  Neau  about  the  most 
proper  means  for  their  instruction.  Mr.  Neau  is  a  good,  religious 
man  ;  his  conversation  is  desirable  and  edifying.  I  always  have, 
and  ever  shall  esteem  it  my  happiness  to  keep  a  settled  corres- 
pondence with  him  :  for  I  know  he  will  joyfully  do  anything  that 
may  contribute  to  the  conversion  of  infidels  to  Christianity.  But 
there  are  only  a  few  negroes  in  this  parish,  save  what  are  in 
Colonel  Heathcote's  family,  where  I  think  there  are  more  than 
in  all  the  parish  besides.  However,  so  many  as  we  have,  I  shall 
not  be  wanting  to  use  my  endeavours  for  their  good. 

As  to  the  Indians,  the  natives  of  the  country,  they  are  a  de- 
caying people.  We  have  not  now  in  all  this  parish  twenty  fam- 
ilies ;  whereas,  not  many  years  ago,  there  were  several  hundreds. 
I  have  frequently  conversed  with  some  of  them,  and  been  at 
their  great  meetings  of  powowing;  as  they  call  it.     I  have  taken 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  181 

some  pains  to  teach  some  of  them,  but  to  no  purpose  ;  for  they 
seem  regardless  of  instruction ;  and  when  I  have  told  them  of 
the  evil  consequences  of  their  hard  drinking,  etc.,  they  replied 
that  Englishmen  do  the  same  :  and  that  it  is  not  so  great  a  sin 
in  an  Indian  as  in  an  Englishman  ;  because  the  Englishman's 
religion  forbids  it,  but  an  Indian's  does  not.  They  further  say 
they  will  not  be  Christians,  nor  do  they  see  the  necessity  for  so 
being,  because  we  do  not  live  according  to  the  precepts  of  our 
religion.  In  such  ways  do  most  of  the  Indians  that  I  have  con- 
versed with,  either  here  or  elsewhere,  express  themselves.  I  am 
heartily  sorry  that  we  should  give  them  such  a  bad  example, 
and  fill  their  mouths  with  such  objections  against  our  blessed  re- 
ligion. But  to  prevent  this,  as  likewise  many  disorders  that 
there  are  amongst  us,  I  know  of  no  better  way,  than  that  the 
honorable  Society  would  be  pleased  to  recommend  to  our  Gover- 
nour,  my  Lord  Cornbury,  or  if  he  is  called  home,  to  his  successor, 
to  make  some  acts  of  Assembly  against  the  many  vices  and  im- 
moralities that  are  too  common  in  most  places  of  this  government, 
or  to  take  care  that  the  wholesome  laws  of  our  realm  be  put 
in  execution  against  the  offenders.  Swearing,  and  drinking,  and 
Sabbath  breaking,  are  chiefly  predominant,  which  are  all  owing 
to  the  evil  example  and  great  neglect  of  our  magistrates ;  and 
that,  again,  is  owing  to  the  neglect  and  indifferency  of  our  su- 
perior officers,  who  mind  but  little  whether  our  justices  discharge 
their  duty  in  that  affair  or  not. 

These  things  put  a  great  stop  to  the  growth  of  piety  and  god- 
liness among  us,  and  it  is  an  objection  that  I  frequently  met  with 
from  several  dissenters,  both  in  this  and  in  the  neighbouring  col- 
ony, that  many  of  the  members  of  the  Church  of  England  are 
irregular  in  their  lives,  and  therefore  they  ought  not,  and  will 
not  join.  The  consequence  is  unjust  and  groundless — being  the 
unworthiness  of  one  or  more  communicants,  is  not  charged  a 
sin  upon  him  who  receives  it  in  a  fit  and  becoming  manner. 
Yet,  however,  among  ignorant  and  unthinking  people,  and  even 
sometimes  among  the  more  knowing  too,  it  is  a  great  hindrance 
and  stumbling-block,  and  is  partly  the  reason  that  some  of  your 
missionaries  have  so  few  communicants. 


182  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

I  thank  God,  I  have  no  great  reason  to  complain  of  my  own 
people,  nor  do  I  mention  these  things  for  their  sakes  only,  but 
for  the  good  of  the  whole.  And  I  heartily  wish  that  the  honoura- 
ble Society  would  do  their  endeavour  that  a  good  governour  may 
be  sent ;  one  that  will  discharge  his  place  faithfully,  and  take 
care  that  others  under  him  would  do  the  same.  This  will  be 
a  means  of  bringing  about  a  happy  reformation,  and  will  won- 
derfully conduce  to  the  interest  of  our  Church  in  these  parts. 

Sir,  I  intreat  your  acceptance  of  my  most  humble  and  hearty 
thanks  for  the  kind  and  Christian  advice  you  were  pleased  to 
tender  me  in  relation  to  Connecticut.  Such  measures  as  you 
proposed,  I  have  all  along  observed  ;  and  I  am  sure  no  man  in 
that  colony  can  justly  accuse  me  of  the  contrary.  I  know  that 
meekness  and  moderation  is  most  agreeable  to  the  mind  of  our 
blessed  Saviour,  Christ,  who  himself  was  meek  and  lowly,  and 
would  have  all  his  followers  to  learn  that  lesson  of  him.  It  was 
a  method  by  which  Christianity  was  at  first  propagated,  and  it 
is  still  the  best  policy  to  persuade  mankind  to  receive  instruc- 
tions. Gentleness  and  sweetness  of  temper  is  the  readiest  way 
to  engage  the  affections  of  the  people  ;  and  charity  to  those  who 
differ  from  us  in  opinion  is  the  most  likely  to  convince  them 
thatour  labours  are  intended  for  the  welfare  of  their  souls  ;  where- 
as passionate  and  rash  methods  of  proceeding  will  fill  their  minds 
with  prejudices  against  both  our  persons  and  our  principles,  and 
utterly  indispose  them  against  all  the  means  we  can  make  use  of 
to  reclaim  them  from  their  errors.  I  have  duly  considered  all 
these  things,  and  have  carried  myself  civilly  and  kindly  to  the 
Independent  party,  but  they  have  ungratefully  resented  my  love  ; 
yet  I  will  further  consider  the  obligations  that  my  holy  religion 
lays  upon  me,  to  forgive  injuries  and  wrongs,  and  to  return  good 
for  their  evil.  Thus  I  hope,  by  God's  assistance,  I  shall  behave 
myself,  and  avoid  the  doing  any  thing  that  may  bring  blame 
upon  that  godly  Society,  whose  missionary  I  am,  or  hinder  the 
progress  of  that  glorious  work  they  have  undertaken  ;  and  ever 
since  I  have  been  invited  into  that  colony,  I  have  been  so  far 
from  endeavoring  to  intrench  upon  the  toleration  which  her  Ma- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  183 

jesty  has  declared  she  will  preserve,  that,  on  the  contrary,  I  de- 
sired only  a  liberty  of  conscience  might  be  allowed  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  national  Church  of  England  ;  which,  notwithstand- 
ing they  seemed  unwilling  to  grant,  and  left  no  means  untried, 
both  foul  and  fair,  to  prevent  the  settling  the  Church  among 
them ;  for  one  of  their  justices  came  to  my  lodging,  and  fore- 
warned me,  at  my  peril,  from  preaching  ;  telling  me  that  I  did 
an  illegal  thing  in  bringing  in  new  ways  among  them.  The 
people  were  likewise  threatened  with  prison  and  a  forfeiture  of 
51.  for  coming  to  hear  me. 

It  will  require  more  time  than  you  will  willingly  bestow  on 
these  lines,  to  express  how  rigidly  and  severely  they  treat  our 
people,  by  taking  their  estates  by  distress,  when  they  do  not  wil- 
lingly pay  to  support  their  ministers.  And  though  every  Church- 
man in  that  colony  pays  his  rate  for  the  building  and  repairing 
their  meeting  houses,  yet  they  are  so  maliciously  set  against  us, 
that  they  deny  us  the  use  of  them,  though  on  week  days ;  they 
tell  our  people  that  they  will  not  suffer  the  house  of  God  to  be 
defiled  with  idolatrous  worship  and  superstitious  ceremonies. 
They  are  so  bold  that  they  spare  not  openly  to  speak  reproach- 
fully and  with  great  contempt  of  our  Church.  They  say  the 
sign  of  the  cross  is  the  mark  of  the  beast,  and  the  sign  of  the 
devil ;  and  that  those  who  receive  it  are  given  to  the  devil. — 
And  when  our  people  complain  to  their  magistrates  of  the  per- 
sons who  thus  speak,  they  will  not  so  much  as  sign  a  warrant 
to  apprehend  them,  nor  reprove  them  for  their  offence.  This  is 
quite  a  different  character  to  what,  perhaps,  you  have  heard  of 
that  people  ;  for  I  observe  particularly,  one  expression  of  your 
letter,  where  you  say  they  are  an  ignorant,  hot-heady,  but  well 
meaning  people.  That  they  are  ignorant  I  can  easily  grant ; 
for  if  they  had  either  much  knowledge  or  goodness,  they  would 
not  act  and  say  as  they  do  ;  but  that  they  are  hot  heady,  I  have  too 
just  reason  to  believe  ;  and  as  to  their  meaning,  I  leave  that  to 
be  interpreted  by  their  unchristian  proceedings  with  us.  Who- 
ever informed  you  so,  I  may  freely  say,  that  he  was  not  so  well 
acquainted  with  the  constitution  of  that  people,  as  I  am,  who 
give  you  the  contrary  information.     I  beg  that  you  would  be- 


184  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

lieve  that  this  account  (though  seemingly  harsh  and  severe,  yet 
no  more  than  is  true,)  does  not  proceed  from  want  of  charity, 
either  toward  their  souls  or  bodies,  but  purely  for  the  good  of 
both.  And  to  give  you  better  information  concerning  the  state 
of  that  people,  that  proper  remedies  may  be  taken  for  curing  the 
evils  that  are  among  them,  and  that  our  Churchmen  in  that  Col- 
ony may  not  be  oppressed  and  insulted  over  by  them,  but  that 
they  may  obtain  a  liberty  of  conscience,  and  call  a  minister  of 
their  own  communion,  and  that  they  may  be  freed  from  pay- 
ing to  their  ministers,  they  may  be  enabled  to  maintain  one  of 
their  own.     This  is  all  these  good  men  desire. 

I  have  lately  preached  to  a  Dutch  congregation,  about  18  miles 
from  this  town  ;  they  seem  to  be  well  disposed  to  the  Church, 
and  I  intend  to  give  them  frequent  visits  on  week  days,  but  more 
of  this  hereafter. 

Mr.  Cleator  is  still  with  us ;  he  continues  faithful  in  the 
discharge  of  his  duty,  (he  is,  according  to  your  instructions,)  very 
useful  and  serviceable  to  me  upon  all  occasions.  He  reads  di- 
vine service  and  sermons  to  the  people,  when  the  affairs  of  the 
Church  call  me  abroad.  In  short,  I  believe  him  to  be  a  very 
good  man,  and  that  he  justly  deserves  your  bounty.  I  hope  by 
this  time  Mr.  Moore  and  Mr.  Brooke  are  with  you — two  good 
men  indeed,  who  suffered  for  discharging  their  office.  I  intend- 
ed to  have  laid  down  some  arguments  to  show  the  necessity  we 
have  of  a  bishop  among  us  ;  but  I  think  their  treatment  will  be 
sufficient  for  all ;  and  if  some  speedy  methods  be  not  taken,  I 
cannot  tell  how  soon  their's  may  be  our  fate.  There  was  a  time 
when  our  Governour  looked  with  a  favorable  countenance  upon 
us  ;  but  tempora  mutantur,  I  pray  God  to  put  it  into  the  hearts 
of  our  superiors  at  home  to  send  us  a  head  to  bless  and  protect 
the  whole. 

Honored  sir,  your  most  assured  friend  and  very  humble  ser- 
vant, 

Geo.  Muirson.1 

Eye,  9th  January,  1707-8." 

*  Connecticut  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  p.  25.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  185 

The  Rev.  George  Muirson,  after  a  short,  but  a  most  useful 
service  in  the  ministry  of  the  Church,  died  on  Tuesday,  the  12th 
of  October,  1703,  much  lamented  by  his  friends,  and  missed  by 
his  parishioners.  ''  He  was  a  most  zealous,  devoted,  and  truly 
good  man ;  a  sound  Churchman  in  his  principles,  and  bold  and 
fearless  in  advocating  his  views;  cool  in  judgment,  winning  in 
manners,  and  possessed  of  great  natural  eloquence ;  he  was 
well  fitted  for  the  position  in  which  he  was  placed,  and  admi- 
rably calculated  to  introduce  the  church  into  the  then  benighted 
Government  of  Connecticut. " 

From  the  following  entry  in  the  records  of  the  Honorable 
William  Smith,  of  Long  Island,  it  appears  that  Mr.  Muirson 
was  buried  in  the  old  stone  Church,  at  Rye  : — 

Manoar  of  St.  Georges,  June  20th,  1707. 

"Then  sister  Glorrana  was  mary'd  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  George 
Muirson,  who,  the  12th  of  October,  1708,  departed  this  life  at 
Rye,  and  was  intered  in  his  Parish  Church." 

What  more  suitable  mausoleum  could  have  enshrined  his 
bones,  than  the  stately  fabric  his  pious  zeal  had  reared. 

"  What  needs  more  words,  the  luture  world  he  sought 
And  set  the  pomp  and  pride  of  this  at  nought, 

Heaven  was  his  aim,  let  heaven  be  still  his  station 

That  left  such  work  for  others'  imitation." 

By  his  wife  Glorianna,  youngest  daughter  of  the  Honorable 
William  Smith,  of  St.  George's  Manor,  L.  I.,  Chief  Justice  and 
President  of  the  Council  of  New- York,  he  had  one  son,  George 
Muirson,  M.  D.  of  Setauket,  L.  I.,»  who  married  his  cousin, 
Anna  Smith,  and  left  one  son,  Heathcote  Muirson.  The  latter 
was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College  in  1776,  and  died  from  wounds 
received  in  the  attack  upon  Lloyd's  Neck,  L.  I.,  July,  1781. 
Catherine,b   the  sister  of  Heathcote  Muirson,  married  her  fath- 


■  "  Dr.  Muirson  possessed  a  large  property  in  Setauket,  or  more  correctly,  in 
Brookhaven  ;  this  however  was  confiscated  after  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and 
but  little  of  it  was  recovered  by  his  family.  He  died  at  New  Haven,  Conn.,  aged 
79." — Communicated  by  the  Rev.  Frederick  M.  Noll,  of  Setauket. 

b  Catherine  Muirson  was  born  at  Brookhaven,  June  8th,  1742,  died,  April  15th, 
and  was  buired  under  Caroline  Church,  in  that  place,  A.  D.,  1785. 


186  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

er's  pupil,  Cyrus  Punderson,  M.  D.     Their  grandson,  Henry  Ty- 
ler Punderson,  is  still  living  at  Setauket. 

Mrs.  Muirson  was  born  at  Brookhaven,  L.  I.,  June  21st,  1690, 
and  survived  her  husband  only  two  years,  as  appears  by  the 
following  entry  in  the  Smith  MSS :  "(Thursday)" — "  Mannour 
of  Scarsdale,  October  7th,  1710" — "  Then  God  Almighty,  after 

days  sickness  and  bloody  flux,  was  pleased  to  take  to 

himself  our  Dear  Sister,  Glorianna  Muirson,  who  the  Saturday 
ensuing  was  intered  in  Brot.  Colonel  Heathcote's  burying  place." 

THE  WILL  OF  GEORGE  MUIRSON,  CLERK. 

"  In  the  Name  of  God,  Amen.  The  thirteenth  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  God,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eight,  I,  George  Muirson,  of 
Rye,  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  and  province  of  New-York,  clerk,  being  weake 
in  body,  but  of  perfect  mind  and  memory,  thanks  be  given  unto  God  therefor,  calling 
unto  mind  the  mortality  of  my  body,  and  knowing  that  it  is  appointed  for  all 
men  once  to  dye  ;  do  make  and  ordaine  this  my  last  will  and  testament,  that  is  to 
say:  principally,  and  first  of  all,  I  give  my  soule  into  the  hands  of  God  that  gave 
it,  and  for  my  body,  I  commend  it  to  the  earth  to  be  buried  in  a  christianlike  and 
decent  manner  att  the  discretion  of  my  Executrix,  nothing  doubting  but  att  the 
General  Resuerection  I  shall  receive  the  same  again  by  the  Almighty  power  of 
God;  and  as  touching  such  worldly  estate  wherewith  it  hath  pleased  God  to  bless 
me  in  this  life,  I  give  and  devise,  and  dispose  of  the  same  in  the  following  man- 
ner and  forme :  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  dearly  beloved  wife,  Gloriana,  whom 
I  likewise  constitute,  appoint,  and  ordain  my  only  and  sole  Executrix  of  this,  my 
last  will  and  testament,  all  and  singular  my  estate,  Reall  and  personall,  whether 
of  lands,  messuages,  tenements,  money,  gooods,  chattels  of  what  kind  and  na- 
ture and  quality  now  in  my  possession,  or  in  possession  of  any  other,  or  owing 
me  from  any  person  or  persons,  which  is,  or  may,  by  any  way  or  means  be  my 
just  rights  and  title  att  the  day  of  my  death,  by  her,  the  said  Gloriana,  freely  to  be 
possessed  and  enjoyed.  And  I  do  hereby  utterly  disallow,  revoke,  and  disannull 
all  and  every  testaments,  wills,  legacies,  requests,  and  executors  .by  me  made,  or 
before  this  time  named,  willed  and  bequeathed ;  ratifying  and  confirming  this 
and  no  other,  to  be  my  last  will  and  testament. 

In  wittness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  sett  my  hand  and  seale,  the  day  and  year 
above  written. 

GEO.  MUIRSON. 

Signed,  sealed,  published,  pronounced  and  declared  by  the  said  George  Muir- 
son, as  his  last  will  and  testament,  in  the  presence  of  us  the  subscribers. 

ROBERT  BLOOMER, 
SAMUEL  LANE, 
JOSEPH   CLEATOR."* 

*  Sur.  office,  N.  Y.  Rec.  of  Wills,  Vol.  v.  p.  385.  Proved  10th  day  of  Nov.,  1708< 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  187 

Col.  Heathcote,  writing  to  the  Secretary,  April  28th,  1709, 
sayS  : — « I  must  in  the  first  place  give  you  the  melancholy  ac- 
count of  Mr.  Muirson's  death,  who  was  a  very  industrious  and 
successful  Missionary,  and  had  it  pleased  God  to  have  preserved 
his  life,  would  have  been  able  to  have  given  a  wonderful  ac- 
count of  his  labours.  By  his  constant  journeys  in  the  service 
of  the  Church,  and  the  necessary  supply  of  his  family,  he  ex- 
pended every  farthing  he  got  here  and  of  the  Society,  and  were 
the  stock  not  so  low,  the  Society  could  not  have  done  a  better 
act,  than  to  have  considered  his  widow  whom  he  has  left 
very  bare,  and  has  since  his  death  been  brought  in  bed  with  a 
boy,  which  is  living."11 

In  a  letter  of  May  30th,  1709,  Col.  Morris  writes  to  the  Sec- 
retary as  follows: — "  About  the  affairs  of  the  Church  in  New- 
York,  I  shall  only  add  to  the  copy  of  my  former  letter,  that  Rye 
being  vacant  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Muirson,  there  wants  a  man 
of  a  peculiar  learning,  temper  and  life,  to  supply  that  place,  and 
I  think  no  man  can  be  more  fitted  for  that  employ  than  Mr. 
Mackenzie,  on  Staten  Island,  in  which  place  he  is  buried  among 
a  parcel  of  French  and  Dutch,  who  can't  understand  him,  there 
being  but  few  English  there,  and  a  place  in  which  he  seldom  has 
his  health  ;  the  other,  a  place  of  ten  times  the  number,  and  bor- 
dering on  Connecticut,  where  a  man  of  his  learning  and  en- 
gaging temper  is  very  much  wanting."b 

The  following  memorial  in  behalf  of  Mrs.  Muirson  and  Mrs. 
Urquhart,  was  addressed  by  the  u  New- York  Missionaries  to 
the  Bishop  of  London  :" — 

TO  THE  RIGHT  REV.  AND  RIGHT  HONORABLE, 
HENRY,  LORD  BISHOP  OF  LONDON. 

New- York,  Nov.  24th,  1709. 

May  it  please  your  Lordship  : 
"We  think  ourselves  obliged  by  the  ties  of  humanity  and  sa- 


•  Conn.  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham.    (Hawks'.) 

b  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  159,  ICO.    (Hawks'.) 


188  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

cred  relation  of  paternity,  as  well  as  those  of  Christian  charity 
to  the  indigent,  to  make  this  representation  to  your  Lordship, 
our  most  worthy  Diocesan,  and  the  Venerable  Society  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  in  the  behalf  of  the  virtuous  relicts  of 
our  late  deceased  Reverend  Brethren,  Mr.  Muirson  and  Mr.  Urqu- 
hart,  who  present  difficult  circumstances,  as  they  extort  this  our 
petition,  so  we  humbly  hope  will  render  them  proper  objects  of 
your  commiseration.     The  former  was  Missionary  of  Rye,  a 
parish  bordering  on  Connecticut  Colony,  where  God  was  pleased 
to  bless  his  painful  labours  with  suitable  success,  and  that  he 
might  not  fall  under  the  censure  of  avarice,  or  give  the  least  oc- 
casion of  any  reflection  amongst  his  people,  (who  were  for  the 
most  part  proselytes  to  the  church)  he  not  only  frequently  parted 
with  what,  by  law,  was  his  just  demand,  but  out  of  his  mission- 
ary allowance  of  £50  per  annum,  endeavoured  to  support  him- 
self that  he  might  make  the  Gospel  as  little  burdensome   to 
them  as  possible,  one  of  the  most  effectual  means  to  establish  the 
Church  in  these  parts,  and  by  his  frequent  journies  to  Stratford, 
a  town  in  that  Province  where  he  was  invited  to  preach,  and 
had  a  very  good  prospect  of  erecting  a  church  for  the  worship 
of  God  according  to  the  form  and  manner  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, he  was  put  to  more  than  ordinary  charges,  which,  (had 
God  granted  him  a  longer  life)  he  might  have  reaped  so  much 
advantage  from,  as  to  have  made  a  settlement  there  for  the  ser- 
vice of  our  church,  and  in  a  great  measure  repaired  the  volun- 
tary poverty  he  had  brought  upon  himself  in  his  endeavours 
to  effect  this  good  work;    but   it  pleased  God  to  remove  him 
in   the   midst  of  his  labours   and  dawning  of    our   hopes,   by 
which  his  poor  widow,  and  one  son  born  since  his  death,  are  leftto 
struggle  with  some  difficulties  which  we  hope  the  pious  zeal  of 
your  Venerable  Society  will  remove,  by  an  allowance  of  £50 
sterling,  to  commence  from  his  death,  for  one  year,  to  pay  his 
just  debts  contracted  in  that  service,  &c,  &c. ;  and  further, 
that  the  same  charitable  bounty  of  a  year's  salary,  may  con- 
tinue to  be  paid  to  the  widows  of  your  missionaries  who  shall 
hereafter  die  in  the  service  of  the  Church,  &c,  &c. 

My  Lord,  yours,  &c, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  189 

Evan  Evans,  de  Philadelphia.    Jno.  Talbot,  de  Burlington. 
Jno.  Thomas,  de  Hampstead.  Jno.  Bartow,  de  West  Chester. 
Jno.  Sharp,  Chap,  to  the  Queen's  Forces.  C.  Bridge,  de  Rye. 
Samuel  Myles,  Henry  Harris,  de  Boston."* 

Mr.  Muirson  was  succeeded  in  October,  1709,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Reynolds.  This  gentleman  appears  to  have  been  licensed  and 
appointed  in  England  by  the  Bishop  of  London,  (at  the  request 
of  the  Venerable  Society)  as  Missionary  to  Rye,  but  from  the 
following  letter,  it  seems  he  had  scarcely  arrived  at  his  mission, 
ere  the  Society  revoked  their  orders,  by  recalling  him  after  offi- 
ciating here  for  two  or  three  Sundays. 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Westchester,  in  America,  October  30th,  1709. 

Sir, 

"  I  am  sorry  at  the  occasion,  to  acquaint  you  of  the  death  of 
our  late  Reverend  Brother,  Mr.  Urquhart,  of  Jamaica,  whose 
place  is  now  supplied  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey,  Mr.  Sharp  and  the 
Missionaries  in  the  province  of  New- York,  every  other  Sunday, 
until  you  can  send  another  curate. 

I  lament  the  unhappy  circumstances  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Reynolds, 
your  Missionary  for  Rye,  who  having  escaped  the  danger  of  the 
seas  and  a  violent  sickness  after  his  arrival,  and  was  received  with 
joy  and  satisfaction  by  Col.  Heathcote,  and  his  parishioners,  as 
their  undoubted  minister,  and  your  missionary,  whom  they 
greatly  respected  as  such,  till  there  came  a  letter  from  you,  di- 
rected to  my  Lord  Lovelace,  deceased,  in  which  our  present  Gov- 
ernour,  Col.  Ingoldsby,  found  your  express  orders  to  prohibit  him 
from  preaching  in  any  part  of  his  government. 
These  are  judged  hard  measures  by  some,  and  the  more,  because 
you  have  given  no  reason  of  your  rigid  proceedings,  to  the  satisfac- 


•  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  211.  212,    (Hawks'.) 


190  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

tion  of  those  who  respect  and  favour  him  ;  but  I  presume  you  have 
done  nothing  but  what  you  thought  most  requisite  to  promote 
the  interest  of  Christ's  Church,  therefore  labour  that  all  would 
put  such  a  candid  interpretation  on  this  matter  as  the  just  cause 
thereof  deserves,  and  I  crave  leave  to  testify,  that  during  his 
small  stay  amongst  us,  he  has  behaved  himself  as  becomes  a 
sober  and  religious  pastor,  and  knowing  not  the  cause  of  your 
displeasure,  must  (as  in  duly  bound  for  a  distressed  brother)  re- 
commend him  to  your  favour,  as  one  by  his  appearance  here,  well 
worthy  his  function,  and  shall  be  heartily  glad  if  your  recall- 
ing him,  be  intended  for  his  advantage.  We  hear  Mr.  Bridge  is 
arrived  at  Boston,  and  has  by  your  orders  to  fix  himself  at  Rye. 

Sir,  yours,  &c, 

John  Bartow."* 

The 

REV.  CHRISTOPHER  BRIDGE,  M.  A., 

who  thus  superseded  Mr.  Reynolds,  in  the  charge  of  this  Parish, 
was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Bridge,b  and  was  born  near 
Tillington,  in  the  County  of  Essex,  A.  D.  1672.  He  received 
his  early  education  in  the  city  of  Chester,  under  Mr.  Hancock. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  was  admitted  to  St.  John's  College, 
Cambridge,  as  a  sub-sizer,  under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Wigley ;  (June 
4th,  1689,)°  and  in  1692  took  the  degree  of  Batchelor  of  Arts.d 
After  obtaining  holy  orders,  he  was  appointed  assistant  minis- 


•  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  208,  209.     (Hawks'.) 

b  The  Bridge's  have  been  seated  for  many  ages  in  the  Counties  of  Hereford,  Es- 
sex and  Lancaster.  The  arms  of  Bridge  of  Bosbury,  Hereford  and  Essex,  are  : — 
arg.  a  chief  gu.  over  all,  a  bend,  engr.  sa — Crest,  two  wings  endorsed  arg.  on  each 
a  chev.  engr.  sa.  charged  with  a  chaplet  or. 

•Extract  from  the  admission  Books  of  St.  John's  College,  Cambridge  -.—"Chris- 
topher Bridge,  Castrensis,  Alius  Robert  Bridge,  Clerici,  natus  infra  Tillington  in 
Comitatu  Esseneae,  Uteris  institutus  in  Civitate  Cestrensi  sub  Mro.  Hancock, 
setatis  suae  17  admissus  ut  subsizator  pro  Mro.  Stillingfleet,  Tutor  et  fidejussore, 
«jus  Mro.  Wigley,  Junii,  4to.  1689." 

*  See  lists  of  Cambridge  Graduates. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EYE.  191 

ter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Miles,  the  rector  of  King's  Chapel,  Boston,  and 
arrived  in  March,  1699.  In  1703,  at  the  request  of  the  vestry, 
Mr.  Bridge  proceeded  to  England,  in  order  to  solicit  subscriptions 
for  the  enlargement  of  the  chapel,  a  measure  made  necessary  by 
the  increase  of  the  congregation.  A  misunderstanding  about 
this  time  arose  between  Mr.  Miles  and  Mr.  Bridge,  which  grew 
into  a  serious  division,  and  threatened  the  peace  and  prosperity  of 
the  church.  The  Bishop  of  London,  (Compton)  condemned  the 
course  of  Mr.  Bridge,.and  in  his  letter  to  the  church  says  :  "  There- 
fore I  shall  not  be  so  earnest  for  his  removal,  otherwise  than  I 
am  convinced  it  is  impossible  for  him  and  Mr.  Miles  to  live  to- 
gether in  peace.  I  know  his  spirit  is  too  high  to  submit  to  that 
subordination  which  is  absolutely  necessary  he  should  comply 
with,  while  he  stays  at  Boston,  so  that  I  would  by  all  means, 
advise  him  to  go  to  Narragansett,  where  he  may  have  a  hundred 
pounds  per  annum,  sterling,  besides  what  perquisites  he  may 
make  upon  the  place,  and  then  he  will  be  his  own  master." 

About  the  first  of  October,  1706,  Mr.  Bridge  came  to  Narra- 
gansett. The  wardens  of  King's  Chapel  spoke  of  him  with  re- 
gard and  respect,  and  the  Bishop  promised  him  the  continuance 
of  his  favour. 

It  however  appears  that  Mr.  Bridge,  after  his  settlement  in 
Narragansett,  created  a  new  difficulty,  as  we  learn  from  the 
Bishop's  letter  to  the  officers  of  King's  chapel,  dated  in  May, 

1708,  he  says  :  "  not  being  yet  fully  informed  to  what  degree  and 
upon  what  grounds  Mr.  Bridge  hath  committed  that  insolent  riot 
upon  the  church  of  Rhode  Island."  "  What  is  meant  by  the 
violent  riot  committed  by  Mr.  Bridge  upon  the  church  of  Rhode 
Island,  alluded  to  by  the  Bishop,  has  not  been  ascertained."4 

Mr.  Bridge  did  not  remain  long  in  Narragansett,  but  at  the 
request  of  the  Venerable  Society  removed  to  Rye,  in  January, 

1709,  when  he  was  again  settled  in  the  ministry.  His  commis- 
sion from  the  Venerable  Society  bears  date  19th  of  August,  1709. 
He  was  not  however  called  by  the  vestry  until  April,  1710. 


Updike's  Hist,  of  the  Narragansett  Church,  p.  38. 


192  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

REV.  CHRISTOPHER  BRIDGE'S  COMMISSION,  TO  BE  MINISTER 
OF  RYE. 

"  To  all  people  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come. — The  Society  for  ye  Propa- 
gation of  the  Gospel  in  Fforeign  Parts,  sends  greeting  : 

Whereas,  Mr.  Christopher  Bridge,  ye  bearer  hereof,  being  in  Priest's  orders, 
hath  been  sufficiently  recommended  to  ye  said  Society,  and  by  farther  examina- 
tion appears  to  be  a  person  duly  qualified  for  promoting  the  good  work  in  which 
ye  said  Society  is  engaged  ;  and  whereas,  he  is  by  the  Right  Rev.  Father  in  God, 
Henry,  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  a  member  of  ye  said  Society,  at  the  request  of 
the  said  Society,  lycensed  and  appointed  to  performe  all  the  offices  of  his  sacred 
function  at  Rye,  in  New-Yorke,  in  America  :  Now,  know  yee,  that  ye  said  So- 
ciety have  given  and  granted  unto  the  said  Christopher  Bridge,  and  his  assigns, 
and  do  hereby  for  themselves  and  successors,  give  and  grant  an  annuity  or  yearly 
pension  of  the  sum  of  fifty  pounds  of  lawful  money  of  Great  Britain,  to  hold,  re- 
ceive and  enjoy  the  same  from  the  feast  day  of  the  Nativity  of  St.  John  Baptist,  be- 
fore the  date  of  these  presents,  during  the  pleasure  of  ye  said  Society  ;  the  same  to 
be  paid  at  the  ffeast  days  of  St.  Michael  the  Archangel,  the  Nativity  of  our  Lord, 
ye  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  and  the  Nativity  of  St.  John  Baptist, 
in  every  year  during  their  said  pleasure,  provided  always,  and  on  condition  that 
the  said  Christopher  Bridge,  do  without  delay  at  the  first  opportunity  after  ye 
date  of  these  presents,  transport  himself  to  the  said  parish  of  Rye  ;  and  also  from 
and  after  his  arrival,  continue  and  reside  there,  (unless  otherwise  directed  by  the 
Society)  and  do  with  fidelity  and  diligence,  discharge  his  holy  function  :  other- 
wise this  grant  to  be  void  and  of  none  effect.  And  the  said  Society  doth  hereby 
heartily  recommend  ye  said  Christopher  Bridge  to  the  protection  and  blessing  of 
Almighty  God,  the  countenance  and  flavour  of  the  Honourable  the  Governour  of 
New- York,  and  the  good  will  of  all  christian  people  at  Rye  aforesaid,  for  his 
further  encouragement  and  support. 

In  witness  whereof,  ye  said  Society  hath  hereunto  caused  to  be  sett  their  com- 
mon seal,  this  nineteenth  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1709,  and  in  the 
eighth  year  of  our  Most  Gracious  Sovereign,  Lady  Anne,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  Queen,  Defender  of  the  ffaith,  &c. 

JOHN  CHAMBERLAYNE, 

Secretary."*' 

Col.  Heathcote  thus  writes  in  behalf  of  Mr.  Bridge  : — 

COL.  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[[extract.] 

Manor  of  Scarsdale,  15th  May,  1710. 
Worthy  Sir, 
"  The  chief  occasion  of  this  is  to  acquaint  the  Society  that  since 


»  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  vol.  iii.  pp.  943-4. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  193 

Mr.  Reynolds'  removal  from  hence,  Mr.  Bridge,  according  to 
the  Society's  directions  hath  taken  care  of  this  parish  in  which 
he  hath,  with  great  care  and  industry  answered  the  end  of  his 
mission ;  nor  am  I  under  the  least  doubt  but  he  will  continue  to 
do  the  church  considerable  service,  being  a  gentleman  not  only 
of  extraordinary  good  parts,  but  of  an  active  temper.  I  am  very 
much  concerned  I  have  cause  to  tell  the  Society  of  a  very  great 
misfortune  which  befell  him  on  his  removal  from  Boston  to  his 
appointed  cure,  having  lost  almost  all  his  books  and  abundance 
of  other  necessaries ;  the  vessel  in  which  he  sent  them  being 
chased  ashore  by  a  French  privateer,  and  being  billged,  were  all 
either  lost  or  damnified  to  the  value  of  £150  or  £2U0.  This 
mischance  happening  to  him  as  he  was  removing  in  the  church's 
service,  and  it  being  what  he  is  never  like  to  retrieve  in  the 
parish,  if  the  Society  would  be  pleased  to  consider  his  misfor- 
tune by  an  allowance  for  books. 

Yours,  &c.j 

Caleb  Heathcote."* 

Mr.  Neau,  of  New- York,  also  writing  to  the  same,  on  the  5th 
of  July,  1710,  observes  : — "  that  Mr.  Bridge  is  arrived  with  his 
family  here,  where  he  has  spent  the  winter.  I  believe  him  ca- 
pable of  edifying  his  flock.  I  have  sent  him  several  French 
books,  he  having  had  the  misfortune  to  loose  all  his  own ;  for  a 
French  privateer  forced  the  sloop  that  carried  them,  to  run 
ashore,  by  which  means  they  were  all  spoiled  and  lost,  and 
the  vessel  plundered."b 

It  appears  from  the  following,  that  Mr.  Bridge  did  not  enter 
into  actual  possession  of  his  benefice  until  October,  1710  : — 

INDUCTION  OF  THE  REV.  CHRISTOPHER  BRIDGE. 

Rob'tus  Hunter  Armiger  Provincicc  Novi  Eboraci,  nee  non  Novse  Casarioe  in 
America  Stratcgus  &  Imperator  ejusdemq:  Vice  Admiralis  &c. 


•  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  210.     (Hawks'.) 
b  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  216,  217.    (Hawks'.) 


194  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

Universis  et  Singulis  Rectoribz  Vicar  :  et  Capellar  :  Curat :  Clericis  et  Min- 
istris  quibuscumq  in  et  per  totam  Provinciam  ubilibet  Constitutis  ac  etiam. 

Ecclesiae  Parochialis  de  Rye  infra  Provinciam  Novi  Eboraci  praedict,  pro  hoc 
tempore  iEdilibus  salutem. 

Cum  Dilectum  in  Christo  Christopherum  Bridge  Clericum  ad  Rectoriam  sive 
Ecclesiam  Parochialem  Predict.  ParocUiae  de  Rye  in  diet.  Provincial  Novi 
Eboraci  in  America  jam  vacantem  praesentatum  Rectorem  Ejusdem  Rectoriae 
sive  Ecclesiae  parochialis  in  et  de  Eadam  Institutus,  Vobis  Conjunctim  et  divisim 
Committo  et  fermiter  Injungo  Mando,  duatenus  eundem  Christopherum  Bridge 
Cleric,  sive  procuratorem  suum  legitimum  ejus  nomine  et  pro  eo  in  Realem  Ac- 
tualem  et  Corporalem  possessionem  ipsius  Rectoriae  sive  Ecclesiae  parochialis  de 
Rye  praedict.  Glaebarum,  Jurumq :  et  pertinentium  suorum  universor.  Confe- 
ratis  Inducatis,  Inducive  faciatis :  et  Defendatis  Inductum,  Et  quid  in  Premissis 
feceritis  me  aut  alium  Indicem  in  hac  parte  competentem  quemcumq ;  debite 
(cum  ad  id  Congrue  fueritis  Requisit.)  Certificetis  seu  sic  certificet  ille  vestrum 
qui  presens  hoc  Mandatum  fuerit  Executus.  Dat.  Sub  Sigillo  praerogativo  diet- 
Provinciae  Novi  Eboraci  Decimo  Septimo  die  Octobris  Anno  Salutis  Millesimo 
Septingentesimo  Decimo. 

ROB.  HUNTER. 

By  His  Excellency's  command, 

H.  WILEMAN,  Dep.  Secretary."" 

January  the  seventh,  Anno  Dom.  1710  : — "At  a  lawful  meeting 
of  the  Parishioners,  at  their  Parish  Church  in  Rye,  to  elect  and 
choose  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  for  the  year  ensuing, 
were  elected  and  chosen : 

CHURCHWARDENS. 

Capt.  Joseph  Theale,        Capt.  Jonathan  Hart, 
Cornelius  Seely. 

VESTRYMEN. 

Andrew  Coe,  George  Lane,  Jr., 

John  Merritt,  Sr.,  Joseph  Lyon, 

Daniel  Purdy,  CorcPr,  George  Kniffen, 

Thomas  Purdy,  John  Disbrow,  Mamaroneck, 

Thomas  Merritt,  Jr.,  John  Miller,  Bedford, 

Joseph  Cleator,  Clerk  of  the  Vestry  for  this  year? 


Documentary  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  iii.  944. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  195 

In  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  Ven.  Society,  Mr.  Bridge 
thus  opens  a  correspondence  with  them  through  their  Secretary  :— 

MR.  BRIDGE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  20tk  Nov.  1710. 
Worthy  Sir, 

"About  this  time  twelve-month  I  wrote  to  you  from  Boston,  of 
my  arrival  here,  and  that  I  was  with  utmost  diligence  preparing 
for  my  journey  to  this  place,  and  was  necessitated  however  to  stay 
here  till  the  beginning  of  January,  by  reason  I  had  my  books, 
clothes,  and  other  necessaries  on  board  one  of  the  mast  ships  at 
Piscataqua,  and  could  not  get  them  sooner  to  me.  In  February, 
I  wrote  you  hence  of  my  arrival  at  this  place,  and  I  think 
about  the  same  time  Col.  Heathcote  gave  you  the  like  informa- 
tion. This  I  mention  because  Mr.  Wesendunk,  my  Attorney, 
acquaints  me  that  the  Treasurer  deny's  to  pay  him  my  salary 
for  want  of  information  of  my  being  in  the  place  appointed  me. 
I  made  the  best  haste  I  could  out  of  England,  and  stayed  at 
Boston  no  longer  than  was  absolutely  necessary,  and  travelled 
hither,  about  240  miles,  in  extreme  bad  weather,  and  the  stop- 
ping my  salary  has  been  the  greater  hardship  to  me  because  I 
have  yet  received  nothing  from  this  place  towards  my  subsist- 
ence. 

I  must  likewise  take  this  occasion  to  acquaint  you  that  im- 
mediately upon  the  receipt  of  my  books,  clothes,  &c.  from  Pis- 
cataqua, I  put  them,  together  with  what  books  I  had  at  Boston, 
and  such  other  things  as  I  should  have  present  occasion  for,  on 
board  a  sloop  bound  for  New-York.  My  books  I  had  been 
several  years  in  collecting,  and  were  at  a  low  estimation,  worth 
£150;  my  clothes  and  other  necessarys  worth  50  or  £60;  with 
them  was  the  box  of  small  books  I  received  from  Mr.  Treasurer 
Hodges,  for  the  use  of  the  parishioners  of  this  place.  But  soon 
after  the  sloop  went  out  of  Boston  harbour  she  was  chased  by  a 
privateer,  and  to  get  clear  of  him  run  ashore,  and  bad  weather 
coming  up,  she  stove  to  pieces,  and  what  she  had  on  board  was 
lost.    As  soon  as  the  weather  was  seasonable,  I  returned  to  Boston 


196  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

for  my  family,  and  then  with  great  trouble  and  more  charge  than 
they  were  worth,  recovered  a  very  few  of  my  books  that  were 
taken  up  out  of  the  salt  water,  about  30,  but  they  were  so  dam- 
nified that  they  can  hardly  be  used.     I  could  recover  nothing  of 
my  clothes  ;  some  of  the  books  I  bought  upon  credit  when  last  in 
London,  of  Mr.  John  Lawrence,  at  the  Angel  in  the  Poultry,  and 
they  are  not  yet  paid  for.     I  find  no  library  here,  that  I  need 
not  say  how  uneasy  and   dissatisfied  I  am  to  be  destitute  of 
books,  and  without  any  company  that  might  supply  that  want. 
I  hoped  to  borrow  out  of  the  library  at  New- York,  but  scruples 
were  raised  against  letting  any  of  those  books  go  so  far.     I 
humbly  leave  my  case  with  the  Honourable  Society,  and  rely  on 
their  charitable  benevolence  for  some  relief  and  assistance  in 
this  my  necessity.     I  give  you  here  the  best  account  T  can  of 
the  present  state  of  this  parish.     The  inhabitants  are  772,  in- 
cluding  children,  servants,  and   slaves.      The  baptized,  441. 
The  greatest  part  of  them  were  baptized  before  the  Church  was 
settled  here.     The  communicants  43,  several  of  them  are  not 
constant,  some   still    Presbyterians   or   Independents   in   their 
judgment,  but  are  persons  well  disposed  and  willing  to  partake 
of  the  Sacrament  in  what  way  they  can,  rather  than  not  at  all. 
Those  that  profess  themselves  of  the  Church  of  England,  284, 
though  several  of  them  do  very  seldom  come  to  church.     Dis- 
senters, 468,  several  of  those  are  serious  people  and  do  frequently 
come  to  church.     I  reckon  all  the  children  according  to  their 
parents  professions,  except  those  that  are  grown  up  and  profess 
themselves  otherwise.     Many,  both  of  those  that  profess  them- 
selves of  the  Church  of  England  and  of  the  Dissenters,  are  very 
loose,  and  seem  to  have  little  or  no  regard  to  religion.     Heath- 
ens 24,  that  are  servants  in  families,  besides  4  or  5  families  of 
Indians  that  often  abide  in  this  parish,  but  are  frequently  re- 
moving, almost  every  month  or  six  weeks.     Among  the  Dissent- 
ers are  7  families  of  Quakers,  and  4  or  5  families  inclining  to 
them.     The  rest  are  Presbyterians  or  Independents,  transplanted 
out  of  the  Connecticut  Colony.     I  may  hereafter  be  able  to  give 
a  more  clear  and  better  account.     My  care  and  time  hath  hith- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  197 

erto  been  chiefly  employed  in  bringing  the  young  people  to 
a  regular  method  of  catechising,  which  I  find  both  very 
necessary  and  difficult,  and  in  persuading  the  looser  sort  of 
the  necessity  of  public  worship;  and  as  from  the  foregoing  ac- 
count the  Honourable  Society  will  judge  what  books  may  be 
most  serviceable  when  they  shall  please  to  supply  us  with  oth- 
ers in  the  room  of  those  that  were  lost.  So  whatever  further 
directions  and  commands  they  shall  be  pleased  to  honour  me 
with,  shall  be  most  readily  observed  by, 

Good  Sir, 

Yours,  (fee, 

Christopher  Bridge."3- 

It  seems  from  the  following  letter,  that  about  this  period,  cer- 
tain violent  men  in  the  county,  set  themselves  up  to  reform  the 
Church,  or  in  other  words,  to  deform  it  ;  and  would  probably 
have  succeeded  in  their  diabolical  ends,  but  for  the  goodness  of 
God  in  raising  her  up  such  a  defender  as  Caleb  Heathcote,  who 
was  too  conscientious  to  buy  his  own  peace  at  her  expense  : — 

COL.  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

New-York,  February  \ith,  1711. 

"  And  as  the  Devil  never  wants  his  agents  every  where,  so 
much  about  the  same  time,  they  began  to  run  upon  the  like 
strains  in  Westchester  county,  and  two  or  three  loose  and  riotous 
men  setting  up  for  reformers  ;  these  even  raised  a  storm  amongst 
us,  and  made  all  the  best  of  the  people  uneasy,  for  which  I  very 
warmly  opposing  their  proceedings,  was  immediately  branded 
as  an  enemy  to  the  Church,  andahinderer  to  its  growth.  Being 
sensible  of  the  danger  the  Church  was  in,  I  firmly  resolved  to 
do  all  in  my  power,  to  prevent  its  ruin,  and  believing  it  then  to  be 
no  time  to  take  pet  and  leave  her  in  distress,  as  her  friends  in 
Jamaica  had  done,  I  went  to  the  Governour  and  did  not  only  tell 


•New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  236,  240.    (Hawks'.) 


198  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

him  my  mind,  but  desired  to  see  my  accusers  or  accusations, 
which  altho'  I  never  was  so  happy  as  to  obtain,  yet  I  still  con- 
tinued the  same  method  as  oft  as  I  heard  any  complaint  was 
made  against  me,  and  by  God's  assistance  and  these  methods,  I 
prevented  those  violent  reformers  from  gaining  their  ends,  and 
prevented  the  Church's  ruin  and  confusion  there  ;  but  the  trouble 
I  underwent  was  inexpressible,  and  what  I  would  not  again  un- 
dergo for  any  other  consideration  whatsoever.  After  these  storms 
were  over,  God  be  thanked,  the  churches  grew  and  flourished,  and 
we  have  three  so  well  settled,  that  no  dissenting  minister  of 
any  sort  can  fix  himself  in  any  part  of  that  county."a 

Upon  the  12th  of  December,  1711,  Col.  Heathcote  wrote  thus 
to  the  Secretary: — "  I  hope  the  Society  will  think  proper,  till  ways 
can  be  found  whereby  some  help  may  be  had,  to  give  the  same 
allowance  of  £100  a  year,  which  was  settled  on  Mr.  Muirson. 
If  this  design  goes  forward,  and  great  caution  is  used  in  the 
choice  of  a  missionary  ;  I  doubt  not  but  experience  will  convince 
the  Society,  of  his  doing  the  church  more  real  service,  than  any 
two  missionary's  in  North  America  besides."13 

The  following  minutes  are  recorded  in  the  vestry  book : — 
"  May  the  seventh,  Anno  Domini,  1711.     At  a  meeting  of  the 
Justices  and  Vestrymen,  at  the  church,  it  was  voted  and  agreed 
that  the  sum  of  £55  5s,  be  levyed  on  the  Parish — 


that  is  to  say, 

for  the  Minister              ... 

£50 

0  0 

for  beating  the  Drum     - 

1 

0  0 

for  the  Clerk 

1 

0  0 

for  charge  of  Express  to  Bedford   - 

0 

10  0 

for  ye  Constable  for  collecting 

2 

12  6 

£55     2  6 
voted  also  on  ye  other  side,  that  warrants  be  issued  out  for  half 
the  above-said  sum,  to  be  paid  on  the  tenth  day  of  July  next 


■  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham.  vol.  i.  p.  359.    (Hawks'.) 
b  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  346.    (Hawks'.) 


I  AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  199 

ensuing,  and  for  ye  other  half  or  moyety  thereof,  which  is 
one  fourth  part  of  said  sum,  to  be  paid  on  the  tenth  day  of  Octo- 
ber next,  and  the  fourth  part  to  be  paid  on  the  tenth  day  of  Jan- 
uary next,  and  that  the  moyety  payable  on  the  tenth  day  of  Ju- 
ly be  laid  in  proportion  to  the  last  Quota  : — 
that  is  to  say, 

Rye £17    6  6 

Mamaroneck 3  13  6 

Scarsdale 1  11  6 

Bedford 5     5  0"* 

The  method  adopted  by  Mr.  Bridge,  to  break  up  the  new 
sectaries  in  his  parish,  is  very  happily  related  in  the  following 
extract: — 

MR.  BRIDGE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  27th  July,  1711. 

Worthy  Sir, 
"  I  have  not  yet  been  honoured  with  any  thing  from  you  since  I 
wrote  to  your  last,  a  copy  of  which  I  sent  soon  after,  and 
hope  they  have  not  both  miscarried.  I  then  sent  you  the  state 
of  this  Parish  and  do  now  give  you  another  to  this  time.  Num- 
ber of  Inhabitants  787  ;  number  of  baptized  452 ;  adult  per- 
sons baptized  since  my  last,  3  ;  communicants  44  ;  that  profess 
themselves  of  the  Church  of  England,  288;  dissenters  478; 
heathen,  that  are  servants  in  families,  21. 

Several  of  Cates'  followers  being  in  the  neighbourhood  of  this 
parish,  they  began  the  last  winter  to  form  themselves  into  a  so- 
ciety, and  were  very  busy  to  invite  the  neighbours  to  their  meet- 
ings, upon  which  I  acquainted  the  chief  of  them,  that  I  should 
be  glad  to  be  with  them,  if  they  would  let  me  know  when  they 
held  a  meeting  on  a  week  day ;  and  after  2  or  3  more  debates 

»  Church  Records  of  Rye,  pp.  1.  2. 


2J0  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

among  themselves,  wether  it  was  convenient  to  admit  me,  they 
at  length  sent  me  the  time  and  place  where  I  might  meet  them, 
and  three  of  their  speakers  entered  into  a  dispute  with  me  about 
the  scriptures,  the  doctrine  of  perfection  and  the  divinity  of 
Christ.  Their  ignorance  and  extravagance  by  this  means  be- 
came so  manifest,  to  a  multitude  of  people  that  were  about  us, 
that  they  could  not  any  longer  find  room  for  their  insinuations, 
and  soon  after  fore  bore  their  meetings. 

1  am  willing  to  confine  myself  to  the  affairs  of  my  own  parish, 
but  I  hope  the  Honourable  Society  will  not  think  it  amiss,  if  I 
observe  that  the  want  of  frequent  consultations  of  the  clergy,  is 
a  great  defect  in  us  ;  I  have  taken  notice  of  it  to  some  of  my 
brethren,  and  doubt  not,  but  it  would  be  of  great  service  to  Re- 
ligion, if  we  were  obliged  sometimes,  to  meet  and  consult  about 
the  affairs  of  our  several  cures.  With  humble  submission,  I  be- 
lieve an  order  from  the  society,  with  proper  directions,  would  be 
expedient.  There  is  another  thing  we  may  lament,  though  we 
cannot  redress  it — The  want  of  zeal  in  the  officers  of  Justice  to 
punish  profaneness  and  immorality.  The  complaint  is  general, 
and  there  is  too  much  occasion  for  it  here.  I  have  sometimes  made 
complaint  upon  good  information,  of  some  gross  immoralities, 
but  without  success,  for  we  have  one  in  commission  of  the  peace 
hat  has  formerly  been  convicted  of  a  notorious  crime,  and  is 
generally  at  the  head  of  all  our  disorders.  I  have  prayed  the 
countenance  of  the  Governour,  and  I  hope  I  may  obtain  it.  I 
hope  the  Honourable  Society  will  be  pleased  to  consider  the 
great  loss  I  sustained  in  their  service,  for  without  their  assis- 
tance I  cannot  retrieve  it.  Their  commands  shall  be  always  re- 
ceived with  due  obedience  from, 
Sir, 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

Christopher  Bridge."  a 
During  the  year  1711,  150  Common  Prayer  Books  with  £5 


»  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  259,  260.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  201 

worth  of  tracts  were  sent  to  Mr.  Bridge,  on  his  affirmation  and 
assurance  that  they  might  he  bestowed  to  great  advantage.  He 
was  also  allowed  for  the  services  of  two  schoolmasters  in  the 
Parish,  at  a  distance  from  his  church,  where  several  children 
want  instruction,  £5  per  annum  cash,  on  a  certificate  that  they 
have  taught  thirty  children  the  Bible,  the  Catechism  and  the 
use  of  the  Liturgy.3- 

Mr.  Bridge's  next  report  to  the  Secretary,  will  afford  an  idea  of 
the  state  of  his  parish  in  1712,  and  shows  the  good  success  that 
followed  his  dispute  with  the  ranting  Quakers. b 

MR.  BRIDGE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  June  9th,  1712. 

Worthy  Sir, 
"  The  last  you  was  pleased  to  honour  me  with,  bears  date  the 
24th  May,  1711,  to  which  I  answered  the  last  fall,  and  inclosed 
as  you  directed,  a  catalogue  of  what  books  Mr.  Muirson  left  be- 
hind him.  I  received  in  April  last,  the  small  tracts  you  men- 
tioned as  ordered  for  me  some  time  ago,  together  with  the  Hon- 
ourable Society's  bounty  of  a  library  of  £10  worth  of  books,  of 
which  I  shall  take  all  possible  care  to  secure  them  to  my  succes- 
sors, and  as  I  return  my  humble  thanks  for  this  their  benevolence, 
so  I  must  acknowledge  my  full  satisfaction  in  the  choice  of  books, 
which  are  such  as  I  should  have  made  my  own  choice,  if  I 
had  but  that  sum  to  purchase  with,  but  I  hope  the  illustrious  So- 
ciety will  yet  be  pleased,  further  to  consider  that  I  lost  £200 


■  Printed  abstracts  of  V.  P.  Society,  from  February  15th,  1711-12,  to  Feb. 
20th,  1712-13.  The  following  curious  item  is  extracted  from  the  Town  books,  da- 
ted March  the  10th,  1711, — "  The  Rev.  Mr.  Bridge's  ere  marks  entered  in  as  fol- 
loweth  : — a  hapeny  on  the  underside  of  the  nere  ere,  and  a  crop  on  the  top  of  the 
of  ere,  and  a  hapeny  on  the  foreside  of  the  same." — Town  records  p.  80. 

b  These  were,  probably  the  Keiihiansor  followers  of  the  famous  Geo.  Keith,  a 
party  which  seperated  from  the  Quakers  of  Philadelphia,  in  1691.  Their  leader 
deserted  them  and  took  orders  in  the  Episcopal  Church.  They  were  also  called 
Quaker  Baptists,  because  they  retained  the  language,  dress,  and  manner  of  the 
auakers."— Bucks  Theol.  Diet. 


202  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

in  their  service,  and  that  I  can  but  barelysupport  my  family  out 
of  my  salary,  that  that  loss  must  be  heavy  upon  me,  without 
the  Society's  further  charity. 

The  present  state  of  my  parish  stands  thus  : — Number  of  In- 
habitants 799  ;  of  the  baptized  469  ;  adult  persons  baptized  since 
my  last,  4  ;  communicants  42.  Three  of  our  communicants  are 
removed  out  of  the  parish,  one  is  dead  and  two  have  been  lately 
admitted.  Number  of  those  that  profess  themselves  of  the  church 
of  England,  313  ;  presbyterians  466;  heathens  that  are  servants 
of  familys,  20.  In  this  account  I  keep  as  near  as  I  can  the  prin- 
ted directions  of  the  Society,  but  the  number  of  those  that  pro- 
fess themselves  of  the  Church  of  England  and  of  the  Dissenters, 
can't  certainly  be  stated  ;  because  many  of  the  latter  come  some- 
times to  church,  and  several  of  the  former  are  inconstant,  but 
both  become  more  sensible  to  their  duty,  and  attend  the  public 
worship  more  frequently  than  they  used  formerly.  I  bless  God 
for  the  great  success  of  the  dispute  I  had  with  some  of  Cates 
followers,  whom  we  call  ranting  Quakers,  they  have  never  since 
held  a  public  meeting  in  these  parts,  and  one  of  their  preachers 
did  soon  after,  before  a  wittness,  make  an  oath  or  confession  of 
his  faith  in  all  the  points  we  then  disputed.  He  owned  himself 
fully  convinced,  and  came  sometimes  to  Church,  but  it  pleased 
God  soon  after,  to  take  him  suddenly  out  of  the  world.  I  have 
since  baptized  two  grown  persons,  of  about  30  years  old,  both 
children  of  the  ringleader  of  that  sect.  The  case  of  one  of  them 
was  very  remarkable  ;  he  had  often  said,  if  any  religion  was  true 
it  must  be  theirs,  but  according  to  the  principles  of  that  sect,  led 
a  very  loose  and  extravagant  life,  but  upon  hearing  their  errors 
confuted,  desired  baptism,  and  when  he  received  it,  declared 
to  his  parents  and  kindred  in  very  solid  terms,  the  ground  of  so 
doing,  and  earnestly  exhorted  them  and  his  former  companions, 
to  forsake  their  errors,  and  wicked  courses,  and  by  his  whole 
carriage  and  discourses  with  them,  silenced  their  reproaches. 

There  are  two  places  in  this  parish  at  great  distance  from  the 
Church.  If  the  Honourable  Society  will  be  pleased  to  make  some 
small  allowances  to  them,  there  might  be  found  proper  persons 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  203 

here  to  undertake  that  charge,  to  the  great  benefit  of  many  poor 
children  that  want  instruction.  I  have  disposed  of  the  small 
tracts  I  received,  and  could  bestow  more  with  great  advantage  ; 
for  we  have  had  none  sent  hither  of  a  long  time.  I  humbly  pray 
that  some  Common  Prayer  books  might  be  sent,  for  they  are 
much  wanted.  I  hope  the  stated  meetings  of  the  missionaries 
which  we  have  now  agreed  upon,  will  be  pleasing  to  the  Society, 
and  their  directions,  as  they  will  be  of  great  service  and  advan- 
tage to  us,  too,  will  be  received  by  us  with  a  due  submission  and 
regard.  I  beg  the  continuance  of  their  patronage,  and  am,  good 
Sir, 

Your  very  obedient  servant, 

Christopher  Bridge."1 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  at  the  church  in  Rye,  the  twenty- 
ninth  day  of  July.  A.  D.  1712,  Mr.  Bridge  communicated  to  the 
vestry,  the  following  order  and  letter  from  his  Excellency  : — 

"  You  are  to  give  order  forthwith  (if  the  same  be  not  already 
done)  that  every  orthodox  minister  within  your  government,  be 
one  of  the  vestry  in  his  respective  parish,  and  that  no  vestry  be 
held  without  him,  except  in  case  of  sickness,  or  that  after  notice 
of  vestry  summoned,  he  omit  to  come. 

Rev.  Sir,  this  copy  of  her  Majesty's  instructions,  I  have  thought 
fit  to  direct  to  the  several  ministers  within  this  Province,  that 
their  respective  vestries  may  regulate  themselves  accordingly  ; 
and  if  there  be  any  practice  contrary  thereunto,  I  desire  you  may 
duly  inform  me,  that  effectual  care  may  be  taken  therein. 
I  remain,  Reverend  Sir, 

Your  assured  Friend  and  Servant. 

Robert  HuNTER.b 

To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Christopher  Bridge. 

Minister  of  Rye,  in  ye  County  of 

Westchester." 

J 

•  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  3G9,  372.     (Hawks'.) 
t>  Church  Records  of  Rye. 


204  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  Society's  abstracts  for  1714,  say:  that  "Mr  Bridge  of 
Rye,  had  reduced  many  who  were  brought  up  in  a  very  disso- 
lute way  of  living,  and  to  total  neglect  of  public  worship,  to  a 
more  sober  conversation,  and  a  constant  attendance  on  the  wor- 
ship of  God,  using  his  utmost  endeavours  to  put  a  stop  to  many 
disorderly  practices,  which  had  prevailed  among  the  people,  to 
the  great  reproach  of  religion.  The  same  year  the  Propaga- 
tion Society  presented  to  Mr.  Huddleston,  schoolmaster  in  Rye, 
£5  additional  salary,  and  to  Mr.  Bridge,  common  prayer  books 
and  devotional  tracts,  of  which  the  people  were  very  desirous 
before  he  wrote,  and  heartily  thankful  for  them  since.  To  these 
donations  the  Society  added  two  dozen  prayer  books  for  Mr. 
Huddleston,  with  the  old  version  of  the  singing,  and  as  many  of 
Lewis'  Church  catechism,  for  exercise  in  his  school  or  on  morn- 
ings of  the  Lords  days,  (when  not  only  his  own  scholars,  but 
several  of  the  young  people  of  the  town,  of  both  sexes,  came 
willingly  to  be  informed,)  one  dozen  bibles  with  the  common 
prayer  and  the  new  version  of  psalms,  twenty-five  psalters,  and 
fifty-one  primers,  all  which  he  requested  as  contributing  might- 
ily, to  the  spreading  the  good  work  he  has  in  hand,  having 
taught  besides  British  children,  six  hundred  Dutch  and  French, 
to  read  and  write  English." 

Surely  such  zealous  efforts,  to  promote  the  glory  of  God,  and 
the  good  of  souls,  well  deserved  the  aid  and  assistance  of  the 
Society. 

In  1717,  the  Society  requested  some  further  particulars,  rela- 
ting to  the  parish  ;  in  answer  to  which  Mr.  Bridge  says : — 

MR.  BRIDGE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  July  30th,  1717. 

Sir, 

"  The  first  episcopally  ordained  minister  that  officiated  here 

was  the  unfortunate  Mr.  Pritchard,  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr. 

Muirson,  who  came  hither  in  the  year  1705,  and  died  1708,  after 

whose  decease  the  Church  was  vacant  (excepting  two  or  three 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  205 

Sundays  that  Mr.  Reynolds  preached  here)  till  I  arrived  in  Jan- 
uary, 1709-10.  I  was  called  by  the  vestry  in  April  following, 
as  the  act  of  Assembly  directs,  and  soon  after  had  induction 
from  the  present  Governour.  Before  the  Society  was  incorporated 
and  while  this  town  was  under  the  government  of  Connecticut, 
they  had  two  or  three  dissenting  ministers  in  that  place,  but  the 
generality  of  the  people  being  such  as  would  not  willingly 
contribute  to  the  support  of  any  minister.  However,  some  few  of 
the  inhabitants  having  more  zeal,  they  found  ways  to  build  a 
small  parsonage  house,  and  annex  to  it  three  acres  of  land,  which 
is  all  the  glebe  we  have,  and  at  my  first  coming  here,  I  found 
the  house  so  much  decayed,  that  it  was  scarce  habitable.  In 
the  year  1706,  some  extraordinary  methods  were  used  to  induce 
the  town  to  raise  a  tax  for  building  a  church,  and  they  raised  a 
handsome  outside,  and  covered  and  glazed  it,  but  found  nothing 
done  to  the  inside,  not  so  much  as  a  floor  laid.  When  I  had 
for  a  year  or  two  preached  upon  the  ground,  I  got  subscriptions 
for  about  £50,  among  the  inhabitants  towards  finishing  the  in- 
side. 

I  have  no  great  alterations  in  the  state  of  my  parish  to  give 
you  an  account  of — since  my  last  I  have  baptized  10  adult  per- 
sons. It  is  my  constant  care  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  Qua- 
kers, to  prevent  their  seducing  any  of  my  parishioners,  (for  they 
come  frequently  in  great  numbers  from  Long  Island,  and  other 
places,  to  hold  their  meeting  in  the  outpartsof  my  parish)  and  to 
put  an  end  to  those  riotous  and  unruly  practices,  which  to  the 
scandal  of  all  religion  had  so  much  prevailed  here ;  but  I  hope, 
thro'  God's  assistance,  I  shall  be  able  to  subdue  that  spirit  of  pro- 
faneness.  I  take  all  occasions  in  my  public  discourses,  and  my 
private  exhortations,  to  show  the  great  enormity  and  dangerous 
consequences  of  them."a 

We  shall  now  conclude  Mr.  Bridge's  reports  with  the  follow- 
ing extract  from  the  letter  books  of  the  Venerable  Society  : — 


1  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  541-2. 


206  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

MR.  BRIDGE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  Nov.  Uth,  1717. 

Sir, 

"  Many  of  them  being Quakers  and  such  others  as  have 

never  shewed  any  regard  to  religion,  under  any  denomination 
whatsoever.  Tis  our  great  misfortune  here,  that  our  vestries 
are  made  up  of  such  persons ;  especially  when  they  are  apprehen- 
sive that  we  have  any  design  to  raise  money  for  the  repair  or 
other  services  of  the  church,  as  it  was  our  case  at  the  last  elec- 
tion, and  I  doubt  will  be  so  at  the  ensuing  one,  and  is  what  I 
think,  very  much  amiss  in  Mr.  Cleator,  that  instead  of  being  ad- 
vised by  me,  he  seeks  to  shelter  his  neglect  under  the  recom- 
mendation secretly  obtained  of  professed  Quakers,  and  some 
other  persons  of  the  loosest  carriage  among  us.  There  are  in 
Stratford,  and  the  neighbouring  towns  in  Connecticut,  about  36 
communicants  of  the  church  of  England,  and  within  these  few 
years,  I  find  there  have  been  about  24  adult  persons,  and  between 
70  and  80  children  baptized  by  me,  and  other  missionaries  of 
the  Society,  who  have  occasionally  been  there ;  they  seem  ex- 
tremely desirous  to  have  a  minister  settled  among  them."a 

The  Rev.  Christopher  Bridge,  finished  his  earthly  pilgrimage 
at  Rye,  on  Friday,  the  twenty-second  of  May,  1719,  and  was  in- 
terred in  his  parish  church. 

There  is  this  record  of  the  event  in  the  minutes  of  the  vestry  : — 
«  The  Reverend  Mr.  Christopher  Bridge,  died  the  twenty-second, 
and  was  buried  on  Monday,  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  May,  Anno 
Domini,  1719,  having  been  minister  at  Rye,  ten  years  and  four 
months."b 

The  following  obituary,  is  copied  from  the  Boston  News  Let- 
ter a  weekly  paper,  and  the  first  newspaper  published  in  Bos- 
ton where  it  was  commenced  in  1704.     The  date  of  this  num- 


•  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  534.     (Hawks'.) 
••  Church  Records,  p.  15. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  207 

ber  is  from  June  1st  to  8th,  1719.  "We  have  an  account  from 
Rye,  in  the  government  of  New- York,  of  the  death  of  the  Rev« 
Mr.  Bridge,  M.  A.  a  presbyter  of  the  church  of  England,  and 
minister  of  the  Gospel  in  that  place,  who  died  on  Saturday,  the 
23d  of  May  last.  He  was  formerly,  for  many  years  together, 
one  of  the  ministers  of  the  church  of  England  in  Boston,  a  re- 
ligious and  worthy  man,  a  very  good  scholar  and  a  fine,  grave 
preacher,  his  performances  in  the  pulpit,  were  solid,  judicious 
and  profitable,  his  conversation  was  agreeable  and  improving, 
and  though  a  strict  churchman  in  his  principles,  yet  of  great 
respect  and  charity  to  dissenters,  and  much  esteemed  by  them 
He  was  bred  at  the  University  of  Cambridge,  in  England,  and 
was  about  forty-eight  years  of  age  when  he  died,  very  much  la- 
mented."a 

His  last  will  and  Testament  was  proved  on  the  25th  of  June, 
1719. 

THE  WILL  OF  CHRISTOPHER  BRIDGE,  CLERK, 

"  In  the  name  op  God  amen.  The  eighth  day  of  May,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord 
Christ,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  eighteen  and  nineteen,  I,  Christopher 
Bridge,  Rector  of  the  parish  of  Rye,  &c,  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  in  the 
Colony  of  New- York,  in  America.  Although  sick  in  body,  yet  of  good,  perfect 
and  sound  memory,  praised  be  Almighty  God,  I  therefore  do  make  and  ordain 
this,  my  present  will  and  Testament,  containing  therein  my  last  will,  in  manner 
and  form  following :  First,  I  commend  myself,  and  all  my  whole  estate,  to  the 
mercy  and  protection  of  Almighty  God,  being  fully  persuaded,  by  hia  Holy  Spirit 
through  the  death  and  passion  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  obtain  full  pardon  and  remission 
of  all  my  sins,  and  to  inherit  everlasting  life,  to  which  the  Holy  Trinity,  one 
eternal  Deity  be  known,  and  glory  forever,  Amen.  And  as  for  the  disposal  of  my 
worldly  estate,  I  will,  and  ordain,  that  after  my  decease,  my  debts  which  I  happen 
to  owe,  and  funeral  expenses,  shall  be  first  paid.  Item,  it  is  my  will  that  all  my 
estate  which  I  have,  in  this  world,  either  in  possession  or  reversion,  or  remainder, 
or  otherwise,  howsoever,  be  the  same  Real  or  Personal,  after  my  decease,  shall 
be  divided  into  three  equal  part  or  parts,  which  I  give,  devise  and  bequeath,  as  fol- 


•  Greenwoods  Hist,  of  King's  Chapel,  Boston,  p.72.  The  Rev.  A.  Fowler  says 
of  Mr.  Bridge  :  "  that  he  laboured  himself  in  all  respects,  worthy  the  high  and 
sacred  character  of  a  Clergyman,  and  the  members  of  his  parish  increased  greatly 
at  Rye.  He  had  for  several  years  past  an  indifferent  state  ol  health,  and  died  in 
1719.-  Fowler's  MSS.  Biog.  of  the  Clergy. 


208  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

lows,  (viz  :)  one  third  part  thereof,  to  my  dear  and  loving  wife,  Elizabeth  Bridge  : 
To  have  and  to  hold  the  same  to  her,  the  said  Elizabeth  Bridge,  her  heirs  and  as- 
signees for  ever.  Another  third  part  to  my  children,  by  even  and  equal  portions, 
share  and  share  alike,  to  be  equally  divided  amongst  them.  To  go  to  them  each, 
an  equal  dividend  thereof,  and  to  each  of  their  heirs  and  assignees  for  ever.  The 
other  third  part,  I  give  and  bequeath  likewise  to  my  children,  but  to  be  given  or 
distributed  to  them,  according  to  the  discretion  of  my  said  wife,  Elizabeth,  as 
she  shall  see  meett ;  and  to  the  end,  that  this,  my  last  will  and  Testament,  may  in 
every  particular  devise  the  better  to  be  performed,  I  make  my  said  Joving  wife, 
Elizabeth  Bridge,  whole  and  sole  executrix,  and  it  is  my  will,  that  she  in  that 
station,  shall  bargain,  sell  and  dispose  of  all  my  estate  above  mentioned,  and 
when  sold,  to  give  good  and  sufficient  conveyances  in  the  law,  for  the  same,  which 
shall  be  valid  and  a  barr  against  my  heirs  for  ever.  The  consideration  money, 
arising  from  such  sale,  being  divided  in  three  parts,  and  paid  to  the  uses  above 
di vised  and  bequeathed ;  and  that  this  my  said  last  will,  may  be  the  more  effect- 
ually executed  ;  it  is  my  further  will  and  desire,  that  if  in  case  my  said  Executrix 
should  happen  to  dye,  before  the  full  execution  thereof,  that  the  said  will,  and 
the  final  full  execution  thereof,  shall  be  managed  and  executed  by  my  loving 
friends,  David  Jameson,  Esq.,  John  Bartow,  Rector  of  the  parish  of  Westchester, 
&c,  and  Mr.  Elias  Neau,  of  the  city  of  New- York,  merchant,  and  the  survivor 
and  survivors  of  them,  whose  assistance  in  the  execution  of  this  my  last  will,  and 
I  intrust  and  depend  upon  ;  and  now  revoking  all  other  wills  and  Testaments, 
heretofore  by  me  made,  I  declare  this  to  be  my  last  will.  //;,  witness  whereof,  I 
have  hereunto  set  my  hand  and  seal,  the  day  and  the  year  first  above  written. 

CHRISTOPHER  BRIDGE.  (L.  S.) 

Signed,  sealed,  published,  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of  us,  Joseph  Cleator, 
Samuel  Wiley,  Samual  Haight."  * 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  Justices  and  Vestry  at  the  school  house  in 
Rye,  August  21st,  Anno  Domini,  1719,  to  examine  the  receipts 
and  disbursements  of  ye  late  Rev.  Mr.  Bridge,  concerning  ye 
finishing  of  ye  church  ;  and  also  to  consider  of  his  salary,  and 
what  money  to  be  thought  necessary  to  repair  the  church,  and 
to  choose  proper  persons  to  see  ye  same  repaired ;  there  ap- 
peared : — 

Capt.  Joseph  Budd,  Justice. 
John  Haight,  )  j      Caleb  Hyatt, 

David  Ogden,  \  j      Henry  Fowler, 

Robert  Bloomer,       (  Vestrymen.  ^      John  Disbrow. 

John  Brundige, 


Record  of  Wills,  Surrogates  office,  New- York,  vol.  ix.  72,  73. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  200 

First :  They  examined  the  accounts  then  produced,  and  there 
was 

found  due  to  Maddm.  Bridge,  -    -     -     -  £2  0  0 
and  for  Mr.  Bridge's  salary,   ----      ]G  0  (I 

£18  0  0 

The  money  designed  for  the  ministers  rate  and  other  things 
as  will  appear  by  this  book,  was  £56  3s. 

Ordered  by  the  justices  and  vestry  abovesaid,  that  of  ye  said 
sum,  thirty  three  pounds  be  applyed  and  made  use  of  for  re- 
pairing of  the  parish  church  of  Rye,  according  to  Act  of  Assem- 
bly.'" * 

Mr.  Cleator,  schoolmaster  at  Rye,  in  his  report  to  the  Secre- 
tary for  1719,  says  :  "  That  he  has  taught  in  the  last  year,  about 
fifty  children  to  read  and  write,  and  instructed  those  that  were 
capable  of  learning,  in  the  church  catechism."b 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Bridge,  we  find  the  enemies  of  the 
church,  who  could  without  any  scruple  revile  her  services  and 
doctrines,  coveting  her  small  possessions  and  accommodations. 
Their  objects,  however,  were  happily  defeated  by  the  vigilance 
of  Mr.  Vesey,  the  Bishop's  Commissary. 

MR.  COMMISSARY  VESEY'S  LETTER  TO  THE  CLER- 
GY OF   NEW- YORK. 

( This  letter  has  no  date.) 

Rev.  Brother, 
'•'- 1  have  been  credibly  informed  that  since  the  death  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Bridge,  late  minister  of  Rye,  the  Dissenters  have  made 
some  attempts  to  possess  themselves  of  the  church  in  that  town, 
and  introduce  an  Independent  teacher :  wherefore,  to  frustrate 
their  designs,  and  to  keep  our  brethren  steady  in  their  profes- 
sion, I  desire  the  favourof  you  to  officiate  in  that  church  in  your 
order  with  the  clergy  of  this  province,  till  my  Lord  of  London, 


*  Church  Records,  p.  1G. 

1  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven  Prop.  Soc. 

14 


210  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

or  the  Venerable  Society  send  a  minister  to  supply  that  vacant 
parish.    This  I  earnestly  recommend  to  you,  and  remain, 

Yours,  &c., 

Wm.  Vesey." 

The  order  which  the  Reverend  Clergy  of  the  province  of 
New-York  will  take  to  officiate  in  the  parish  of  Rye  : 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Bondet,  -          -  the  2nd  of  August, 

"  «  "  Bartow,  -            -  «     16th  of      " 

«  "  «  Thomas,  -            -  "     13th  of  September, 

u  u  tt  poyer,  -             -  "     30th  of  August, 

«  "  "  McKenzie,  -            -  "     27th  of  September, 

«  "  "  Jenney,  -            -  "     11th  of  October, 

"  «  «  Vesey,  -            -  "     25th  of  October."  » 

Having  provided  for  the  immediate  wants  of  the  parish,  Mr. 
Vesey  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Secretary  ;  requesting 
that  another  minister  might  be  sent,  and  earnestly  recommend- 
ing the  afflicted  widow  and  children  to  the  Society's  protec- 
tion. 

MR.  VESEY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

New-York,  Nov.  15,  1719. 
Sir, 

"  1  have  lately  given  you  an  account  of  the  method  I  proposed 
to  the  clergy  for  officiating  in  the  church  at  Rye,  now  vacant  by 
the  death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bridge,  the  clergy  have  officiated  at 
their  own  expense  there  in  their  order,  and  will  continue  to  do 
so  till  the  Venerable  Society  shall  please  to  send  a  minister  to 
that  parish. 

That  church  being  thus  supply'd  without  any  charge  to  the 
parishioners  or  to  the  Society,  I  presume  from  hence  to  recommend 
the  afflicted  widow  and  her  poor  children,  as  proper  objects  of 
the  Society's  compassion,  earnestly  praying  that  one  year's  sal- 

*  New- York,  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  557,  558.     (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EYE.  21 L 

ary,  commencing  from  Mr.  Bridge's  death,  may  be  given  for 
their  support.  I  shall  only  observe  on  this  occasion,  that  a  mis- 
sionary dismist  by  the  Society,  is  allowed,  as  I  am  informed, 
one  year's  salary  after  his  dismission  ;  if  therefore,  one  of  these 
missionaries  is  removed  by  death,  and  the  vacancy  supplied  by 
his  brethren,  it  may  be  thought  charitable  at  least,  to  do  some- 
thing of  that  nature  towards  the  subsistence  of  his  widow  and. 
children  in  their  melancholy  circumstances,  which  is  neverthe- 
less humbly  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  "Venerable 
Society,  by  your  most  obedient  and  humble  servant. 

William  Vesey."  a 

On  the  16th  of  January,  1720-1,  it  was  agreed  by  the  vestry 
of  tbe  parish,  "that  Capt.  Budd,  the  two  churchwardens,  Henry 
Fowler  and  Daniel  Purdy,  two  of  the  vestry,  should  draw  up  a- 
letter  to  ye  Hon.  Col.  Heathcote  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Vesey,  desiring 
their  advice  and  assistance  in  procuring  a  minister  for  the  parish 
of  Rye,"  &c.b 

In  1720-1,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Poyerc  appears  to  have  officiated 
statedly  here;  for  at  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  vestry, held  on 
the  2Sth  of  February,  A.  D.  1720-1,  "It  was  agreed  to  pay  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Poyer  the  just  and  full  sum  of  twelve  pound,  ten 
shillings,  for  his  service  done  to  this  Parish  as  a  minister,  and 
that  he  be  continued  minister  of  this  parish,  with  this  proviso, 
that  the  Honourable  Society  for  Propagating  ye  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts  do  allow  it."d 

In  1721-2,  the  Venerable  Society  voted  £50  to  the   clergy 


*  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i,  p.  559.     (Hawks'.) 

b  Church  Records,  p.  17. 

■  "  The  Rev.  Thomas  Poyer,  was  a  grandson  of  Col.  Poyer,  who  fell  in  the  de- 
fence of  Pembroke  Castle,  in  the  time  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  and  was  the  succe^ur 
of  Mr.  Urquhart,  at  Jamaica.  He  arrived  in  the  Colony  during  the  summer  of 
1710,  and  was  inducted  by  power  from  Col.  Hunter,  July  18th,  of  that  year." 

d  Church  Records,  p.  17. 


212  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

of  New-York  for  supplying  the  church  at  Rye,  vacant  by  the 
death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bridge.11 

MR.  POYER  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Jamaica,  Feb.  llth,  1719. 

Hon.  Sir, 

"  I  make  no  doubt  of  your  being  informed  of  the  death  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Bridge,  late  pastor  of  the  Church  at  Rye,  and  that  the 
Honourable  Society  have  ordered  another  to  succeed  him. 

I  am  just  returned  from  serving  that  church  in  my  turn,  ac- 
cording to  an  agreement  between  the  ministers  of  this  province  ; 
and  cannot  but  acquaint  you  that  most  of  the  inhabitants,  some 
communicants,  are  doing  what  they  can  to  pull  down  what  the 
established  ministers — [sic  in  MSS.]  They  have  resolved  to  call 
one  Mr.  Buckingham,  a  Dissenting  minister,  and  have  accord- 
ingly sent  to  acquaint  him  of  it.  I  was  then  at  Rye,  in  company 
with  a  great  many  of  them,  and  did  all  that  I  could  to  bring 
them  into  a  better  mind  in  that  respect,  after  which  they  told 
me  their  resolution  was  this,,  that  they  were  so  well  satisfied 
with  me  and  my  conduct,  that  they  would  call  no  other  than 
myself,  and  that  if  I  would  not  accept  of  their  call,  they  knew 
one,  naming  the  aforesaid  Mr.  Buckingham,  that  would;  so 
they  desired  my  answer,  and  I  told  them  I  would  write  home  to 
the  Honourable  Society  about  it  the  first  opportunity,  (not  at  all 
expecting  to  meet  with  this  ship  that  I  thought  sailed  some 
weeks  ago,)  and  I  questioned  not  but  they  would  order  me  to 
Rye,  on  which  1  find  they  have  resolved  to  call  me  ;  had  I  known 
of  this  ship  in  those  parts,  I  would  have  got  the  Churchwardens 
and  Vestry  called,  and  sent  it  herewith,  but  expect  this  per  next 
conveyance. 

I  have  not  time  now  to  write  to  my  Lord  of  London,  my  much 
honoured  Diocesan,  and  pray  that  this  may  be  communicated 
to  him,  and  that  what  is  necessary  from  the  Venerable  Society, 

a  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc. 


AND   CHURCH  OF  RYE.  213 

and  that  worthy  Lord,  in  order  to  removal,  be  sent  to  me  per 
the  next  opportunity. 

I  trust  there  are  none  of  my  most  honoured  Patrons,  do  en- 
tertain so  hard  a  thought  of  me  as  to  believe  I  have  any  pros- 
pect of  a  temporal  advantage  by  this  removal.  No,  God  knows 
I  have  not  indeed,  I  must  say  that  I  cannot  have,  for  besides 
that  Jamaica  is  a  much  pleasanter  place,  \yhere  I  have  abund- 
antly better  conversation  than  can  be  had  at  Rye,  and  then  the 
allowance  from  the  country,  for  the  Minister,  is  £10  per  annum 
more  here  than  there.  I  assure  you  if  riches  were  my  aim,  I  had 
invitations  enough,  and  between  £400  and  £500  per  annum, 
offered  me  if  I  would  have  removed  from  here,  into  the  West 
Indies,  but  those  arguments,  powerful  enough  to  induce  some. 
I  thank  God,  have  not  been  able  to  prevail  with  me  to  leave  the 
church  over  which,  though  most  unworthy,  I  was  thought  fit  to 
be  appointed  overseer,  in  so  much  troubles  ;  its  nothing  but  the 
peace  of  the  church  that  has  inclined  me  to  listen  to  the  fre 
quent  requests  of  the  people  at  Rye,  they  have  promised  me  if 
I  would  come  to  them,  they  would  be  united  in  their  affections, 
and  one  and  all  come  to  hear  me. 

May  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  and  good  master  of  the 
flock,  make  me  under  him,  a  happy  instrument  in  uniting  the 
people  in  making  up  the  divisions  among  them,  and  quenching 
the  flames  that  blaze  out. 

I  present  my  utmost  duty  to  my  ever  honoured  Patrons,  hearti- 
ly, earnestly,  and  constantly  praying  for  them,  and  to  beg  Sir, 
you'll  please  excuse  this  haste,  and  to  send  an  answer  per  first 
opportunity,  to 

Honoured  Sir, 

Your  humble  servant, 

Thomas  Poyer." 

The  Rev.  John  Thomas  of  Hempstead,  L.  1.,  writing  to  the 
Secretary,  April  20th,  1722,  makes  the  following  statement,  in 
regard  to  the  necessity  of  a  minister  for  the  vacant  parish  : — 

"  The  want  of  a  missionary  so  long  at  Rye,  has  introduced  a 
dissenter  to  build  his  nest  there,  but  I  believe  a  discreet  gentle- 


214  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

man  sent  over,  would  soon  utmost  him,  and  discourage  him  in 
his  undertaking.  The  people  there  are  very  poor,  and  incapa- 
ble to  maintain  two  differing  ministers,  had  they  a  churchman 
to  perform  divine  service,  and  preach  every  Lords  day,  their 
dissenter  must  of  necessity  give  way  and  be  gone."3- 

About  one  month  after  the  date  of  this  letter,  the  Society 
were  pleased  to  appoint  the  Rev.  Henry  Barclay,  formerly  mis- 
sionary to  Albany,  to  Rye,  with  a  salary  of  £50.b     Upon  the 

22d  day  of 1722,  Mrs  Barclay  writes  from  Albany,  "  that 

she  has  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Secretary  Humphrey's,  dated 
the  fifth  of  September  last,  whereby  your  honours  signify  your 
having  received  him,  (Mr.  Barclay,)  to  your  missionary,  and 
have  appointed  him  the  choice  of  removing  either  to  Rye,  or 
Jamaica,  in  New-York  government,  <fcc,  &c."c  The  same  year 
the  Society  gave  Mr.  Barclay  £10  in  consideration  of  the  hard 
circumstances  he  lieth  under.d 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen,  of  this 
parish,  June  the  4th.  Anno  Domini  1722,  the  following  call  was 
given,  in  accordance  with  the  act  of  1693  : — 

"  Whereas,  by  the  death  of  our  late  Incumbent,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Christopher  Bridge,  this  Parish  is  become  vacant,  we  there- 
fore, the  Church-wardens  of  the  said  parish,  pursuant  to  ye 
tenour  and  intent,  of  an  act  of  General  Assembly  of  this  Province, 
entitled,  an  act  for  settling  a  ministry,  and  raising  a  maintenance 
for  them  in  the  city  of  New-York,  county  of  Richmond,  West- 
chester and  Queens  county,  do  call  the  Reverend  Mr.  Robert 
Jenney,  to  officiate  and  have  the  care  of  souls  within  this  parish 
of  Rye,  aforesaid.     And  the  said  Mr.  Robert  Jenney,  personally 


a  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  577.     (Hawks'.) 

b  Printed  Rep.  of  Ven.  Prop.  Society. 

c  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  579.     (Hawks'.) 

d  Printed  Rep.  of  Ven.  Prop.  Society.  "  The  Rev.  Henry  Barclay  was  father 
of  the  late  Thomas  Barclay.  Consul  General  of  his  Brittanic  Majesty,  in  the  IT.  S. 
so  well  known  and  so  highly  esteemed  by  thousands  among  us,  and  whose  place 
as  British  Consul,  is  at  this  moment  so  worthily  filled  by  Mr.  Anthony  Barclay, 
one  of  his  sons." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  R^E.  215 

came  before  this  board  and  informed  them,  he  was  ready  to  ex- 
ecute the  functions  he  was  called  unto,  when  he  should  be  in- 
ducted into  the  same.  Whereupon  it  is  ordered,  that  this  board 
do  forthwith  present  the  said  Robert  Jenney,  and  pray  his  Ex- 
cellency, for  his  induction  into  ye  Church  of  the  said  Parish, 
with  all  and  singular  the  rights,  privileges  and  appurtenances 
to  the  same  belonging,  or  in  any  ways  appertaining.  By  order 
of  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen. 

John  Carhartt,  Clerk"'*- 

The  following  letters  were  also  addressed  to  the  Governor,  the 
Venerable  Society,  and  the  Bishop  of  London: — 

TO  THE  GOVERNOUR. 

June  4th,  1722. 
May  it  please  your  Excellency, 

We,  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  Parish  of  Rye, 
being  informed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenney,  that  your  Excellency 
has  consented  to  his  design  of  complying  with  our  desire,  to 
settle  among  us,  and  has  given  him  leave  to  divide  his  time  be- 
tween his  duty  of  the  garrison  and  this  parish,  till  such  time  as 
his  confirmation  can  be  obtained  from  the  Venerable  Society,  do 
take  the  liberty  to  present  to  your  Excellency,  our  hearty  thanks 
for  this  condescention  in  our  favour,  humbly  praying  your  Excel- 
lency, to  grant  induction  to  the  said  Mr.  Jenney,  into  ye  said  par- 
ish of  Rye,  when,  according  to  law,  we  have  called  thereto,  as 
will  appear  to  your  Excellency,  by  ye  enclosed.  ^We  are  with  all 
duty  and  submission — May  it  please  your  Excellency,  your  Ex- 
cellency's most  dutyful  and  most  obedient  humble  servants. 

[Signed  by  order.] 

John  Carhartt,  Clerk."h 


a  Church  Records,  p.  20. 
*>  Ibid. 


216  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

TO  THE  HONOURABLE  SOCIETY. 

June  4.th,  1722. 

May  it  please  your  Honours, 

"We,  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  ye  Parish  of  Rye, 
in  ye  province  of  New- York,  in  America,  having  taken  ye  lib- 
erty soon  after  ye  death  of  our  late  incumbent,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Christopher  Bridge,  humbly  to  pray  that  your  honours  would 
continue  your  usual  bounty  to  our  poor  church,  and  supply  us 
in  our  destitute  condition,  with  a  church  of  England  minister 
in  the  room  of  our  late  incumbent  ;  do  take  this  opportunity  to 
return  your  honours  our  hearty  thanks,  as  well  for  the  constant 
supply,  which  by  your  honour's  favourable  recommendation  we 
had  from  the  clergy  of  this  province,  as  for  your  resolution,  ap- 
pearing in  print,  to  supply  us  with  a  minister  to  reside  among 
us,  as  soon  as  one  whom  your  honours  can  approve  of,  shall  of- 
fer. We  have  been  to  our  great  detriment,  destitute  about  three 
years,  and  now  having  the  opportunity  of  one  whom  we  are 
universally  pleased  with,  ye  Rev.  Mr.  Robert  Jenney,  chaplain 
of  the  forces  of  this  province,  who  is  willing  to  relinquish  his 
place  in  the  forces,  to  settle  amongst  us  and  become  our  minis- 
ter, provided  he  can  have  your  ^honours  favour  and  bounty  for 
his  encouragement.  We  have  taken  the  liberty  to  give  him  a 
call,  as  ye  act  of  Assembly  of  this  province  empowers  us,  (which 
is  enclosed  to  your  honour)  humbly  praying  for  your  approba- 
tion, of  what  we  have  done,  and  that  you  will  please  to  grant 
Unto  him  as  our  minister,  your  favour  and  bounty,  being  a  per- 
son whose  conversation,  preaching,  and  diligence  in  his  holy  func- 
tion we  are  well  acquainted  and  satisfied  with.  We  are  confi- 
dent that  his  residence  amongst  us,  will  effectually  reconcile  all 
our  differences,  and  heal  all  our  breaches,  occasioned  by  our 
being  so  long  in  want  of  a  faithful  and  prudent  pastor,  to  guide 
and  instruct  us.  That  God  Almighty  will  prosper  your  honours 
pious  and  charitable  endeavours  for  the  service  of  his  Church, 
in  this  Wilderness,  and  that  he  will  grant  unto  every  one  of  you, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  217 

the  choicest  of  his  blessings,  temporal  and  eternal,  is  the  hearty 
prayer  of — 

May  it  please  your  Honours, 

Your  Honours  most  dutyful 

And  most  obedient  and  humble  servants, 
[Signed  by  order.] 

John  Carhartt,  Clerk."* 

The  letter  to  the  Bishop  of  London  was  as  follows  : — 

May  it  please  your  Lordship, 

"The  necessity  of  our  Church  requiring  a  speedy  relief,  and 
the  favourable  opportunity  offering  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenney's  in- 
clination to  settle  amongst  us,  we  the  Churchwardens  and  Ves- 
trymen of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  in  New-York,  in  America,  have 
readily  accepted  thereof,  and  given  him  a  call  as  required  by 
the  laws  of  this  Province,  hoping  what  we  have  done,  will 
prove  agreeable  to  your  Lordship  and  the  Venerable  Society, 
with  whom  we  beg  your  Lordship's  kind  offices  for  ye  contin- 
uance of  their  bounty  to  our  parish  in  ye  person  of  the  said  Mr. 
Jenney,  as  our  Minister — we  humbly  presume  to  subscribe  our- 
selves, 

May  it  please  your  Lordship, 

Your  Lordship's  most  dutyful 

Sons,  and  most  obedient  humble  Servants. 
[Signed  by  order.] 

John  Carhartt,  Clerk." 

"The  above  letter  to  the  Bishop  of  London,  was  enclosed  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  William  Vesey,  in  New- York,  giving  him  an  ac- 
count of  our  proceedings,  and  to  pray  his  furtherance  of  our  let- 
ter, to  the  Bishop,  and  his  recommendatory  one  with  it."b 

The  Society  were  pleased  to  confirm  the  call  of  the  Vestry,  on 
the  30th  of  August,  1722,  by  appointing  the 


*  Church  Records,  p.  21. 
b  Church  Records,  p.  22. 


218  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

REV.  ROBERT  JENNEY,  A.  M. 

Missionary  to  Rye,  with  a  salary  of  £50,  in  the  room  of  Mr. 
Barclay.  Mr.  Jenney  was  the  son  of  the  Venerable  Henry  Jun- 
ney,  of  VVanney  Town,a  in  the  North  of  Ireland,  (Archdeacon  of 
Armagh.)  descended  of  the  Jenney's,  formerly  of  Knoddis  Hall 
in  Suffolk  county,  England. b  He  was  bom  in  the  county  of 
Armagh,  A.  D.  163S,  and  educated  in  Dublin,  under  Dr.  Jones. 
On  the  13th  of  October,  1704,  he  was  matriculated,  as  a  pen- 
sioner at  Trinity  College.  Dublin,  and  selected  for  his  tutor,  Mr. 
John  Wetherby,  a  fellow  of  that  College.  In  1710,  he  was  ad- 
mitted into  holy  orders,  and  soon  afterwards  appointed  to  a 
chaplaincy  in  the  royal  navy,  in  which  service  he  continued  un- 
til 1714  ;  from  thence  to  1717,  he  was  in  the  employ  of  the  Ven- 
erable Society,  as  an  assistant  to  the  Rev.  Evan  Evans  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  subsequently  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Vesey,  of  New-York. 
From  1717  to  1722,  he  was  Chaplain  to  the  Fort  and  Forces  at 
New-York,  and  was  then,  as  we  have  seen,  appointed  by  the  So- 
ciety to  this  parish.0 

The  new   Incumbent  was   regularly   inducted   as  Rector   of 


a  See  America  Dissected,  in  Updike's  History  of  the  Narraganset  Church,  p. 493. 

b  This  family,  originally  of  France,  assumed  its  surname  from  the  town  of 
Guisnes,  near  Calais.  It  probably  came  into  England,  with  the  Conqueror  : 
for  Bloomfield  states  that  proprietors  of  the  name  of  De  Gisneto,  De  Gisne,  or  Gy- 
ney,  were  soon  after  the  Conquest  possessed  of  the  Manor  of  Haverland,  in  Nor- 
folk, and  that  they  held  it  until  the  time  of  Henry  V.  Prom  that  house  it  would 
appear  that  the  one  before  us  branched,  and  that  the  name  in  process  of  time 
changed  from  Gyney  to  Jenney,  the  mode  in  which  it  has  been  spelt,  since  the 
beginning  of  the  15th  century  at  least. 

In  the  9th  of  Richard  II,  (1385)  Thomas,  son  of  Sir  Thomas  De  Gyney,  Knt. 
enfeoffed  his  manor  of  Gislingham  in  Suffolk,  called  Geneys,  which  he  had  there 
purchased  of  John  De  Wayland.  This  manor  still  bears  the  name  of  Jennies. 
The  arms  of  this  family  are  :— Erm,  a  bend  gu.  cotised  or.  Crest,  on  a  glove  in  fess 
arg.  a  hawk  or  falcon  close  or,  belled  of  the  last.— Burkes  Hist,  ofjhe  Commo- 
ners, vol.  iii.  446. 

e  The  following  extract  is  taken  from  the  Matriculation  Book  of  Trinity  Col- 
lege, Dublin.  "  October  13,-1704,  Robertus  Jenney,  Pentionarius  Alius  Hen.  T. 
D.  Aun  age  10— nat  in  Com.  Ardmachensi— Educ.  Dublin,  sub  Dr.  Jones— Coll 
tutor  John  Wetherby." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  219 

Rye,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Poyer,  of  Jamaica,  L.  I.,  in  virtue  of 
Govemour  Burnet's  mandate,  bearing  date,  Jane  the  7th,  1722, 
of  which  the  following  is  a  copy : — 

INDUCTION  OF  THE  REV.  ROBERT  JENNEY. 

"  Gulielmus  Burnet  armiger  Provincial  Novi  Eboraci,  nee  non 

Novae  Csesarioe  in  America,  Strategus  et  Imperator  Ejusdemq 

Vice  Admiralis  &c. 

Universis  et  singulis  Clericis  et  rainistris  Ecclesiae  Anglicanae  GLuibu^cumque 

in  et  per  totam  provinciam  Novi  Eboraci  ubilibet  constitutis  sive  vEdilibus  Eccle- 

sire  parochialis  de  Rye  infra  provinciam  Novi  Eboraci  prsedict  pro  hoc  tempore 

Salutem. 

Cum  Dilectum  in  Christo  Robertum  Jenney,  Clericum  ad  Rectoriam  sive  Ec- 
clesiam  paroclrialem  prsedict  parochiae  de  Rye,  in  dicta  provincia  Novi  Eboraci 
in  America,  jam  vacantem  ipsumque  prsesentatum  Rectorem  Ejusdem  Rectorial 
sive  Ecclesiae  parochialis  in  et  de  eadem  institutus,  vobis  conjunctim  et  devisim 
committo  et  fermiter  injungendo  mando  quatenus  eundem  Robertum  Jenney, 
Clericum  sive  procuratorem  suum  legitimum  ejus  nomine  et  pro  se  in  realem, 
actualem  et  Corporalem  possessionem  ipsius  Rectoriae  et  Ecclesiae  parochialis  de 
Rye  praedicto  Glaebarum  Juriumque  et  pertinentium  suorum  universorum  confe- 
ratis  inducatis  inducive  faciatis  et  Inductum  Defendatis  et  quid  in  prremissis 
feceritisseu  ant  alium  judicem  in  hac  parte  competentem  quemcumque  debite 
(cum  ad  id  congrue  fueritis  requisiti)  certificetis,  seu  sic  certificet  ille  vestrum 
qui  prsesens  hoc  meum  mandatum  fuerit  executus.  Datum  sub  sigillo  praaroga- 
tivo  dietae  provincia?  Novi  Eboraci  Septimodie  Junii,  Anno  Salutis,  MDCCXXII. 

GULIELMUS  BURNET.1 
By  his  Excellency's  command, 

Jas.  Robin,  Dcp.  Sec." 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  vestry,  held  June  the  25th. 
1722,  present  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenney  and  others,  "It  was  resolved 
by  a  majority  of  votes,  that  the  parsonage  house  be  repaired  by 
a  tax  laid  on  the  parish,  and  that  the  salary  (viz.  £50)  for  this 
present  year,  be  also  raised  as  follows  : — 

To  be  laid  out  and  paid, 
Rye,  £  33     6  0.  To  ye  Minister  50  0  0. 

Bedford.  10  119.  To  ye  Clerk  ofthe  vestry       1     0  0. 

Mamaroneck,   7  13  3.  To  ye  Drummer  1     0  0. 

Scarsdale,         3     (5  6.  To  Constable  for  collecting   2  12  0. 


£54  12  0.  £54  12  0. 

»  Record  of  Commissions,  Sec.  of  State's  office,  vol.  p.  497. 


220  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

In  December  following.  Mr.  Jenney  made  his  first  report  to 
the  Society. 

MR.  JENNEY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  Dec.  15th,  1722. 

Dear  Sir, 

"  I  had  the  honour  of  yours,  dated  August  30th,  which  brought 
me  an  account  that  the  Venerable  Society  has  accepted  me  as 
their  missionary  to  settle  at  Rye,  with  a  salary  of  £50  per  an- 
num, and  which,  with  humble  and  hearty  thanks,  I  readily  ac- 
cept, and  my  desiring  a  larger  salary,  in  my  last  to  the  Venera- 
ble Society,  was  for  no  other  reason,  but  because  £60  per  an- 
num with  the  county  encouragement,  would  but  amount  to  what 
I  have  quitted  in  the  fort  for  their  service,  and  because  this  parish, 
with  respect  to  the  encouragement  here,  stands  upon  a  much 
worse  footing  than  any  of  the  rest  of  this  province,  in  relation 
to  the  salary,  house,  and  glebe.  Those  on  Long  Island,  having 
£10  per  annum  more,  and  all  of  them  glebes  much  beyond  what 
this  Parish  ;  affords  and  this  being  the  nearest  parish  to  N  ew  Eng 
land,  and  the  only  one  on  the  post  road,  and  consequently  attended 
with  greater  expenses  than  any  of  the  rest,  I  did  not  think  it 
unreasonable  to  request  an  addition  of  £10  to  the  Society's  sala- 
ry ;  but  in  this  and  all  other  things,  I  humbly  submit  to  the  So- 
ciety's pleasure. 

You  may  remember,  I  sent  you  the  vestry's  call,  what  they 
gave  me  according  to  an  act  of  Assembly,  of  this  Province,  and 
their  humble  address  to  the  Venerable  Society  foi  their  confirma- 
tion, dated  June  4th,  1722,  and  it  was  then  that  I  entered  upon 
the  care  of  this  parish  and  have  since  continued  diligently,  to 
serve  it,  excepting  sometimes  the  Governor  required  me  to  offi- 
ciate at  the  Fort,  my  successor  there  having  not  yet  received  his 
commission.  I  observe  in  the  Society's  collection  ye  papers 
which  I  received  from  Mr.  Huddleston,  with  two  copies  of  the 
missionary  sermon,  by  the  Right  Rev.  the  Lord  Bishop  of  Bristol, 
that  the  Society  expects  from  their  missionaries  an  exact  and 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  221 

particular  account  of  the  state  of  their  respective  parishes,  in 
compliance  with  which  I  take  the  liberty  to  send  enclosed  a 
draft  of  the  two  lots  of  land,  which  make  up  the  glebe,  with  a 
copy  of  the  survey  which  the  violent  opposition  of  some  dissen- 
ters have  obliged  me  to  obtain  for  the  proprietors  of  this  town, 
being  the  most  part  such  as  weie  desirous  of  having  a  dissent- 
ing teacher  settled  here,  gave  me  great  trouble  at  my  first  com- 
ing, and  especially  in  relation  to  the  house  and  glebe  ;  and  had 
not  His  Excellency  been  so  kind  as  to  grant  his  warrant  to  the 
surveyor  General  to  survey,  it  is  believed  they  would  have  kept 
me  by  force,  from  taking  possession,  and  here  I  cannot  but  men- 
tion the  kindness  of  the  Surveyor  General,  Cadwallader  Col- 
den,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Wm.  Forster,  the  society's  schoolmaster  at 
"Westchester,  whom  he  appointed  his  deputy  for  that  purpose, 
who  have  refused  the  fees  which  by  law  are  due  for  that  ser- 
vice, and  have  remarkably  exerted  themselves  in  the  service  of 
our  Church  at  Rye. 

When  I  first  examined  into  the  glebe,  I  found  one  lot  called 
the  parsonage  point,  containing  about  5  acres,  as  I  am  informed, 
alienated  from  the  church  by  patent,  to  my  predecesssor  Mr. 
Bridge  and  his  family  forever,  and  is  now  possessed  by  his  ex- 
ecutrix, for  the  use  of  his  children  ;  that  remaining,  is  represent- 
ed in  the  enclosed  draft  of  two  lots,  one  of  which,  called  the 
house  lot,  having  the  house  at  the  south  east  corner,  contains  a 
little  above  two  acres,  the  other  about  7  and  a  half,  and  is  about 
a  mile  off,  but  is  so  encompassed  with  other  men's  land  that  the 
road  to  it  is  about  two  miles,  so  that  I  fear  I  shall  have  little  or 
no  use  of  it.  The  house  is  of  timber,  and  so  much  out  of  repair 
that  nothing  but  the  frame  stands  good,  and  the  lots  of  land  are 
wholly  out  of  fence.  The  Church  also,  though  built  in  Mr.  Muir- 
son's  time  is  not  yet  finished  ;  the  roof  decays,  but  if  not  quick- 
ly fitted  up,  is  not  likely  to  stand  long.  These  repairs  call  for 
a  good  supply  of  money,  and  the  people  will  not  contribute  vol- 
untarily, so  that  I  have  been  forced  to  demand  of  the  vestry,  to 
raise  for  that  use,  so  much  of  the  salary  since  Mr.  Bridge's  death, 
as  has  been  omitted,  and  upon  their  refusal  I  have  thought  my- 
self obliged  to  engage  a  lawyer,  Mr.  Bickeley,  (who  because  it  is 


222  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  church's  cause,  has  refused  his  fee)  to  move  the  chief  Justice 
for  a  mandamus,  to  oblige  them  to  raise  it,  and  when  it  shall  be 
raised,  I  am  resolved  to  lay  it  out  for  the  use  as  aforesaid.  I 
have  taken  all  possible  care  to  prevent  my  successor  from  the 
like  oppositions,  by  having  the  enclosed  draft  and  survey  record- 
ed in  the  Surveyor's  office,  and  in  the  office  of  the  Clerk  of  the 
county,  and  a  copy  thereof  filed  in  the  Secretary's  office.  My 
Parish  is  of  a  very  large  extent,  and  contains  a  great  deal  of 
land  well  settled,  besides  a  large  wilderness,  in  which  are  some 
few  settlements;  there  are  three  townships  in  it,  Rye,  Bedford 
and  Mamaroneck,  wherein  there  are  some  few  settlements  in 
the  woods,  so  dispersed,  that  I  have  not  yet  been  able  to  learn 
the  number  of  inhabitants.  There  is  a  Presbyterian  preacher 
at  Bedford,  and  there  was  another  at  Rye,  when  I  came  here, 
but  now  he  has  left  us,  and  settled  in  one  of  the  towns  in  Con- 
necticut. There  cannot  be  any  certain  judgement  made  of  the 
number  of  my  hearers.  Sometimes  the  church,  which  will  hold 
about  300,  is  full,  and  I  have  seldom  less  than  100.  At  the 
sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper,  I  had  25.  We  have  no  papists 
among  us  that  I  can  find,  a  lew  Quakers,  a  pretty  many  inde- 
pendents or  presbyterians,  (they  themselves  dont  know  which) 
and  a  great  number  who  are  indifferent  as  to  any  religion  and 
mind,  only  their  worldly  interest,  so  that  I  have  a  large  field  to 
work  in,  and  much  business  before  me,  which  I  shall  spare  no 
pains  to  undergo,  and  I  pray  God,  give  me  his  assistance,  to  go 
through  with  it.  I  pray  God,  give  his  blessing  to  the  pious  and 
charitable  endeavours  of  that  venerable  body,  and  I  presume  to 
subscribe  myself,  their  most  sincere  and  dutiful  missionary. 

Robert  Jenney. 

P.  S.  If  the  Venerable  Society  will  please  to  send  some 
prayer  books,  with  the  new  version  of  Psalms,  and  some  Whole 
Duty  of  Man,  it  would  be  of  great  service  to  us  here."a 


New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  584,  589.     (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  223 

The  mandamus  referred  to  in  the  above  letter,  must  have  been 
granted  soon  after,  ns  appears  from  the  following  minutes  in 
the  Vestry  Book  :  "  At  a  meeting  of  the  Justices  and  Vestrymen 
held  on  the  16th  of  January,  1722,  ye  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  our 
Rector,  delivered  a  writt  of  mandamus  in  his  Majesty's  name, 
from  ye  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  held  at  the  City  of 
New- York,  for  the  Province  of  New- York,  commanding  the  Jus- 
tices and  Vestrymen  to  raise  and  pay  into  the  hands  of  the 
Churchwardens,  all  arrearages  since  the  year  1719,  to  ye  last  of 
December,  I721."a 

At  a  subsequent  meeting,  in  compliance  with  the  command 
of  the  mandamus,  it  was  agreed  to  raise  the  sum  of  sixty 
pounds,  &c. 

"  Which  sum  above  mentioned,  viz,  ye  £60     0     0 

With  ye  collecting  thereof  3     3     6 


63     3     6 


Was  quoted  as  follows  : 

Rye,  £37     0  9 

Bedford,  12     8  8 

Mamaroneck,  8     3  6 

North  Castle,  2     0  1 

Manor  of  Scarsdale.b  3   10  6 


63     3     6 


The  following  petition  from  the  Churchwardens  ot  Rye,  was 
addressed  to  the  Governor  for  the  warrant  mentioned  in  Mr. 
Jenney's  letter : — 

CHURCH  LOT  IN  RYE. 

"  To  his  Excellency,  William  Burnet,  Esq.,  Captain   General  and  Gover- 
nour  in  Chief  in  and  over  his  Majesty's  Provinces  of  New- York  and 


■  Church  Records,  p.  24. 
b  Church  Records,  p.  25. 


224  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

New- Jersey,    and  Territories    depending  thereon,   in  America,  and  Vice 
Admiral  of  the  same,  &c. 
The  humble  petition  of  the  Churchwardens  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  in  ye  Prov- 
ince of  New- York  : — 

May  it  please  your  Excellency  : 
"Whereas,  there  is  a  parcel  of  Land  in  this  town,  which  for  many  years  has  been 
in  the  possession  of  the  Minister  of  our  parish,  for  the  time  being,  but  now  by  rea- 
son of  our  long  want  of  a  settled  minister  to  possess  it.  is  encroached  upon  and  very 
much  lessened  by  the  Inhabitants  that  bound  upon  it;  we  therefore,  the"  Church- 
wardens of  the  parish  of  Rye  aforesaid,  believing  ourselves  in  duty  bound  to  se- 
cure and  defend  the  rights  of  our  parish  Church,  do  humbly  pray  your  Excellen- 
cy to  grant  your  warrant  to  the  Surveyor  General  to  survey  the  said  parcel,  and 
adjust  the  true  bounds  thereof,  to  prevent  any  such  encroachments  for  the  future, 
and  your  Petitioners  be  in  duty  bound, 

1722.  Shall  ever  pray, 

SAMUEL  PURDY, 
HENRY  F.  FOWLER,  Jr. 
To  the  Secretary, 
Let  a  warrant  be 

prepared  accordingly. 

"W.  Burnet."" 

The  subjoined  documents  are  the  warrant  for  the  survey  of  the  land  in  question, 
and  the  report  of  the  surveyor  general  thereon : 

"  William  Burnet,  Esq.,  Capt.  Gen.  and  Governour  in  Chief  of  the  Province 
of  New- York.  New  Jersey  and  Territories  thereon  depending  in  America,  and 
Vice  Admiral  of  the  same  : 

To  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq., 

Surveyor  General  of  the  Province  of  New- York. 

At  the  request  of  the  Churchwardens  of  the  parish  of  Rye,  in  this  Province,  I 
have  thought  fit  hereby  to  authorize  and  commission  you  to  survey,  run  out  and 
ascertain  the  Lymitts  and  Boundrys  of  all  such  parcel  or  parcels  of  land  as  have 
been  formerly  possessed  and  enjoyed  by  the  minister  of  the  said  church,  notice 
bein°-  given  to  whom  it  may  anyways  concerne,  of  the  time  of  your  proceeding 
on  said  survey,  and  all  Officers  within  this  Province,  both  magesteriall  or  min- 
isteriall,  are  hereby  commanded  to  give  you  all  suitable  countenance  and  assist- 
ance in  the  execution  hereof,  and  what  you  shall  doe  herein,  you  are  duly  to 
certify. 

Given  under  my  hand  at  Fort  George,  this  5th  day  of  July,  1722,  and  in  the  8th 
year  of  his  Majesty's  reign. 

Pursuant  to  a  warrant  from  his  Excellency,  bearing  date  the  fifth  day  of  July, 
,1722. 

I  have,  by  Mr.  "William  Forster,  one  of  my  Deputys,  run  out  and  ascertained 
the  limits  and  boundaries  of  such  parcels  of  land  as  have  been  formerly  possessed 


Documentary  Hist,  of  New- York,  vol.  iii.  p.  950. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  225 

and  enjoyed  by  the  minister  of  the  parish  of  Rye,  in  the  county  of  Westchester 
as  the  same  were  shown  to  my  said  Deputy  by  the  Churchwardens  of  the  said 
parish,  viz. :  one  parcel  situate  in  the  Town  field,  beginning  at  a  white  oak  bush 
near  the  fence  of  Ebenezer  Knifien,  and  runs  thence  south  seventy-four  decrees 
thirty  minutes,  east  twenty-three  chains  seventy-eight  inches,  to  a  heap  of  stones 
thence  south  twenty-three  degrees  twenty  minutes,  west  three  chains  seventy  links 
to  a  walnut  stump,  thence  north  seventy-two  degrees,  twenty  minutes,  west  twen- 
ty-four chains  twenty  links,  to  a  stone  set  in  the  ground,   and  thence  north-east 
and  by  north  very  near  distant  two  chains  and  seventy  links,  to  the  place  where 
it  began,  and  contains  seven  acres  and  about  half  an  acre. 

Another  parcel  called  the  Home  lot,  in  which  the  Town  or  Parsonage  house 
stands,  beginning  at  a  heap  of  stones  near  the  said  house,  and  runs  thence  north 
nine  degrees,  forty-five  minutes,  east  three  chains,  thence  north  twelve  degrees, 
west  four  chains,  fifty  links,  to  stones  near  Peter  Brown's  house,  thence  south 
eighty-seven  degrees,  west  four  chains,  to  a  maple  by  blind  brook,  thence  along 
the  said  brook,  south  eighty  degrees,  east  five  chains,  fifty  links,  and  south  seven- 
teen degrees,  west  one  chain,  fifty-four  links,  and  thence  from  the  brook,  south 
eighty-six  degrees,  east  four  chains,  twenty  links,  to  the  stones  where  we  began, 
containing  two  acres,  three  roods  and  thirty-six  poles. 

Given   under  my  hand,  the   14th  day  of  September,  in  the   ninth  year  of  his 
Majestie's   Reign,   Anno  Dom.,  1722. 

CADWALLADER  COLDEN,  Sur.  Gen. 

MR.  JENNEY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  July  1st,  1723. 
Dear  Sir, 

"  Last  December  15th,  I  had  the  honour  to  answer  yours  of 
August  30th,  sent  to  me  by  the  order  of  the  Venerable  Society, 
wherein  I  gave  an  account  of  the  state  of  my  parish,  as  exactly 
as  I  could,  which  I  hope  came  to  hand  ;  1  have  no  more  to  add 
but  that  my  congregation  seems  to  increase,  being  generally 
above  300,  as  near  as  I  can  guess  ;  my  communicants  are  but 
few,  but  I  am  in  hopes  in  a  short  time  to  have  more.  We  have  a 
new  settlement  amongst  us  in  the  woods,  which  began  about  the 
time  of  my  predecessor's  death,  1719  ;  the  inhabitants  are  very 
loose  in  their  principals  of  religion,  inclining  rather  to  the  Qua- 
kers than  any  other  sect.     I  have  been  amongst  them  with  good 
success,  having  baptized  a  whole  family,  parents  and  children  ; 
I  have  heard  that  more  of  them  intend  to  make  a  confession  of 
their  faith,  in  order  to  Baptism.     Books  are  our  greatest  wants, 

15 


22G  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

for  stupid  ignorance  in  point  of  religion,  is  almost  general  among 
us,  and  as  the  Venerable  Society  have  usually  extended  their 
charity  this  way,  so  I  hope  they  will  at  this  time  to  us,  by  send- 
ing prayer  books  with  the  version  of  psalms  by  Tate  and  Brady? 
bound  up  with  them,  and  instead  of  the  usual  tracts,  I  humbly 
conceive  the  Whole  Duty  of  Man  would  be  most  useful.  There  is 
a  small  present  made  to  our  Chuch,  by  Mr.  Isaac  Denham,a  of 
this  place,  of  a  piece  of  land  containing  about  50  square  rods,  ly- 
ing before  the  front  of  the  parsonage  house,  which  though  a 
small  spot  is  of  great  use  to  the  house,  and  the  donor  shows  him- 
self on  all  occasions  a  hearty  promoter  of  the  Church's  interest; 
he  is  a  constant  attendant  at  the  ordinances  and  a  communi- 
cant;  he  hath  given  me  a  deed  of  gift  for  the  land  and  posses- 
sion, according  to  the  forms  of  law,  for  my  use  and  my  succes- 
sors, the  ministers  of  Rye.  I  conclude  with  my  hearty  prayers 
for  that  pious  and  charitable  body,  desiring  theirs,  for  us,  their 
missionaries,  that  we  may  be  able  to  discharge  the  great  trust 
they  have  been  pleased  to  commit  to  us.  I  beg  you  will  please 
to  assure  them  that  I  am  their  faithful  missionary. 

1  am  Sir,  &c, 

Robert  Jenney."15 

The  same  year  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenney,  minister  at  Rye,  in  the. 
Province  of  New- York,  informed  the  Secretary  that  besides  Rye, 
he  serves  several  other  townships  and  distinct  liberties,  all  of 
which,  excepting  Rye,  being  too  great  distance  from  the  church, 
constantly  to  attend  it,  he  visits  them  in  their  turns;  that  since 
his  admission  in  1722,  he  has  baptized  10  adults,  and  50  chil- 
dren, that  the  number  of  his  communicants  is  26,  two  of  which 
have  been  admitted  the  first  time  by  him. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  held  on   the   13th  of  July,  1724, 


»  Mr.  Isaac  Denham  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Denham,  Congregational  minister 
of  Rye,  in  1G77. 
b  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fnlham,  vol.  i.  607,  COS.     (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OP  RYE.  227 

the  following  order  was  issued ;  "  whereas  several  of  ye  Parish 
have  talked  of  building  pews  in  ye  Church,  ye  vestry  have 
thought  fitt  to  order  that  there  be  allowed  an  ile,  of  five  foot  from 
ye  west  door  to  ye  communion  table,  also,  an  ile  of  two  feet 
from  ye  kneeling  couch,  round  ye  Rails  of  ye  Communiontable, 
also,  an  ile  of  six  foot  from  ye  south  door  to  ye  desk,  also  that 
there  be  a  partition  ile  between  each  sett  of  pews  on  ye  south 
side  of  ye  church,  of  two  foot,  and  that  all  pews  be  built  to  front 
ye  desk,  and  for  ye  more  certain  compliance  with  this  order, 
every  one  that  builds  a  pew,  shall  apply  themselves  to  ye  Justi- 
ces, Churchwardens  and  Rector,  or  any  three  of  them."a 

In  1724,  it  was  decided  by  a  majority  of  votes,  that  a  drum  be 
provided  for  ye  church  this  year."b 

REV.  ROBERT  JEXNEY'S  ANSWERS  TO  THE  QUERIES   OF  THE 
BISHOP  OF  LONDON. 

[queries  to  be  answered  by  every  minister.] 

At  Rye,  iii  the  province  of  New-  York, 
July  ISth,  1724. 

Q..  How  long  is  it  since  you  went  over  to  the  plantations  as  a  missionary  ? 

A.  Please  your  Lordship,  it  is  ten  years  since  I  was  first  received  into  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Honourable  Society,  as  appears  by  my  Missionary  letters,  bearing 
date  the  18th  of  June,  Anno  Domini,  17 14. 

Q.  Have  you  had  any  other  Church  before  you  came  to  that  which  you  now 
possess ;  and  if  you  had,  what  church  was  it,  and  how  long  have  you  here  removed  1 

A.  1  was  chaplain  in  the  Navy,  from  A.  D.  1710,  to  1714,  from  thence  to  1717, 
I  was  in  the  service  of  the  Honourable  Society  as  assistant,  first  to  the  late  Rev. 
Mr.  Evans,  of  Philadelphia,  afterwards  to  the  R.ev.  Mr.  Vesey,  of  New- York- 
from  1717,  to  1722,  I  was  chaplain  to  the  fort  and  forces  in  New- York,  there  I  was 
appointed  the  Honourable   Society's  missionary  at  Rye,  where  I  now  remain. 

Q-.  Have  you  been  licensed  by  the  Bishop  of  London,  to  officiate  as  a  mission- 
ary, in  the  government  where  you  now  are  "? 

A.  I  have  two  licenses  from  the  Right  Rev.  Father  in  God,  John,  late  Lord 
Bishop  of  London,  both  bearing  date  the  7th  of  July,  1714.  the  one  to  be  assistant 


■  Church  Records,  p.  28. 
ll  Church  Records,  p.  29. 


228  HISTORY  OF  THE  PAPJSH 

to  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Evans  of  Philadelphia,  the  other  to  be  schoolmaster  of  the 
same  place,  and  for  my  removal  to  this  province,  I  have  the  Honourable  Society's, 
and  the  late  Bishop  of  London's  order,  by  their  letters,  both  bearing  date  March 
5th,  1711. 

d.  How  long  have  you  been  inducted  into  your  living? 
•  A.  I  was  inducted  into  my  living  by  the  Rev.  Mr.   Thomas  Poyer,  Rector  of 
Jamaica,  on  Long  Island,  in  this  Province,  on  the  13th  of  June,  A.  D.,  1722,   by 
virtue  of  his  Excellency  our  Governour's  mandate,  bearing  date  the  7th  of  June, 
1722, 
Q,.  Are  you  ordinarily  resident  in  the  parish  to  which  you  have  been  inducted'? 
A.  I  am  constantly  resident  in  the  town  of  Rye. 
Q,.  Of  what  extent  is  your  parish,  and  how  many  families  in  itl 
A.  My  parish  contains  three  townships,  a  manor  and  two  distinct  purchases,  in 
length  about  thirty  miles,  but  at  most  eight  in  breadth,   containing  as   near  as  I 
can  guess,  about  two  hundred  families  or  rather  more. 

Q..  Are  there  any  Infidels,  bond  or  free,  within  your  parish,  and  what  means  are 
used  for  their  conversion  1 

A.  There  are  a  few  Negroes  and  Indian  slaves,  but  no  free  infidels  in  my  par- 
ish ;  the  catechist,  a  schoolmaster  from  the  Honourable  Society,  has  often  pro- 
posed to  teach  them  the  catechism,  but  we  cannot  prevail  upon  their  masters  to 
spare  them  from  their  labour  for  that  good  work. 

Q,.  How  often  is  divine  service  performed  in  your  church,  and  what  portion  of 
the  parishioners  attend  it  1 

A.  The  inhabitants  of  the  parish  are  so  scattered,  and  so  few  are  well  affected 
to  our  excellent  liturgy,  especially  those  who  live  near  the  church,  that  were  it 
not  for  preaching,  I  should  have  no  congregation,  so  that  I  am  forced  to  be  con- 
tent with  the  performance  of  the  service,  every  sunday  twice,  when  I  also  preach 
in  the  summer  season,  and  once  during  the  winter ;  the  number  of  my  auditors  is 
very  uncertain,  sometimes  not  thirty,  sometimes  three  hundred,  as  the  weather 
serves  for  travelling. 

GL  How  often  is  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  administered ;  and  what 
proportion  of  the  parishioners  attend  it  1 

A.  I  administer  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  four  times  per  annum,  viz.  : 
on  Christmas,  Easter,  Whitsunday,  and  the  sunday  after  the  Feast  of  St.  Michael ; 
the  number  of  my  communicants  have  never  yet  exceeded  twenty-six. 
d.  At  what  time  do  you  catechise  the  youth  of  your  parish  1 
A.  Neither  can  the  Schoolmaster  persuade  the  people  to  sen!  their  children  to 
him  to  be  taught  the  catechism,  nor  can  I  persuade  them  to  send  them  to  the  church 
to  be  catechized,  for  which  reason  I  often  make  some  part  of  the  catechism  the 
subject  of  my  sermons,  and  often  exhort  the  people  but  in  vain,  to  send  their  chil- 
dren to  be  catechised. 

Q..  Are  all  things  duly  disposed  and  provided  in  the  Church,  for  the  decent  and 
orderly  performance  of  di  'ine  service  % 

A.  The  only  Church  in  the  parish,  is  in  the  town  of  Rye,  built  of  stone,  well 
plaistered  and  sealed,  fifty  feet  in  length  and  thirty-five  in  breadth,  with  a  pulpit 
and  reading  desk,  but  no  pews  ;  the  communion  table  is  railed  in.    We  have  a 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE  229 

Bible  and  Prayer  book,  both  to  be  for  divine  service  and  a  silver  cup,  holding 
about  a  quart,  and  a  paten ;  but  linen  for  the  holy  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper 
and  our  Church  are  much  out  of  repair. 

Q..  Of  what  value  is  your  living  in  sterling  money,  and  how  does  it  arise  1 

A.  The  Honourable  Society  is  pleased  to  allow  me  £50  sterling,  and  by  act  of 
assembly  here,  there  is  raised  upon  the  whole  parish,  by  a  vote  proportioned  to 
the  several  estates  of  the  parishioners,  £50,  this  currency  (i.  e.)  allowing  sixty-five 
per  cent,  difference,  which  is  the  common  exchange,  about  £30  and  a  half,  sterling, 
so  that  my  whole  salary  is  about  £80  G  8  sterling,  per  annum.  I  have  no  perqui- 
sites nor  accidental  advantages,  excepting  that  very  seldom,  I  have  six  shillings 
this  money,  which  is  scarce  three  and  sixpence  sterling,  for  a  marriage. 

&.  Have  you  a  house  and  glebe;  Is  your  glebe  in  lease  or  let  by  the  year,  or 
is  it  occupied  by  yourself? 

A.  I  have  a  small  framed  house  with  two  acres,  three  roods  and  thirty-six  poles 
of  land,  as  it  was  surveyed  at  my  first  comeing,  with  about  a  quarter  of  an  acre 
given  for  the  use  of  the  minister,  by  Mr.  Isaac  Denham,  deceased.  I  have  also  a 
lot  of  near  eight  acres  but  tis  so  encompassed  with  other  mens  farms,  that  I  can 
make  no  use  of  it,  so  that  I  am  forced  to  hire  pasture  for  my  horses. 

Q,.  Is  due  care  taken  to  preserve  your  house  in  good  repair,  and  at  whose  ex- 
pense is  it  done  1 

A.  There  is  no  care  taken  to  preserve  the  house  in  good  repair,  for  altho'  we 
have  an  act  of  assembly  yet  in  force  empowering  the  trustees  of  the  Town  to  re- 
pair the  Church  and  other  public  buildings,  yet  the  town  does  not  choose  such 
officers,  and  if  they  would  we  cannot  hope  that  where  the  dissenters  so  much  pre- 
vail, any  persons  would  be  chosen  who  would  repair  either  the  church  or  the 
house,  so  that  if  I  will  live  in  the  house  I  must  keep  it  in  repair  myself. 

Q,.  Have  you  more  cures  than  one,  if  you  have,  what  are  they,  and  in  what 
manner  served '] 

A.  My  parish  is  so  large  that  I  am  obliged  to  travel,  notwithstanding  that  our 
friends  are  so  few,  that  were  they  altogether  they  would  not  make  a  large  congre- 
gation. I  officiate  at  Bedford  and  North-castle,  eight  times  per  annum,  the  form- 
er is  about  eighteen  miles  distant  from  here,  the  latter  about  twelve  ;  also,  eight 
times  per  annum  at  Mamaroneek,  for  that  place  and  Scarsdale  and  Foxes  mead- 
ows, about  three  miles  off;  and  four  times  at  the  White  Plains,  about  four  miles, 
the  remaining  Sundays  here  at  Rye. 

Q,.  Have  you  in  your  Parish  any  public  school  for  the  instruction  of  youth,  if 
you  have,  is  it  endowed,  and  who  is  the  master  1 

A.  We  have  a  schoolmaster  here  from  the  Honourable  Society,  Mr.  Joseph 
Cleator,  allowed  £15  sterling  per  annum,  but  God  has  visited  him  with  blind- 
ness, so  that  he  can  teach  nothing  but  the  catechism,  and  the  people  will  not  put 
it  in  his  power  to  do  that,  notwithstanding  that  I  have  frequently  at  his  request, 
given  public  notice  thereof  in  the  Church,  and  persuaded  them  to  it  in  my  sermons. 

d.  Have  you  a  parochial  Library,  if  you  have,  are  the  books  preserved  and 
kept  in  good  condition  ;  have  you  any  particular  rules  and  orders  for  the  pre- 
serving of  them;  are  these  rules  and  orders  duly  observed? 


230  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

A.  1  found  here  a  library  of  £10  sterling  value,  given  by  the  Honourable  Society 
to  my  predecessor  for  the  use  of  the  Parish,  without  rules  for   their  preservation. 
The  fifteen  volumes  of  Polisynopsis  Criticorum,  are  very  much  damaged. 
I  am,  may  it  please  your  Lordship,  &c* 


M* 


-/ 


In  his  report  to  the  Secretary  for  1724,  Mr.  Jenney  says  :  "  that 
he  has  baptized  two  adult  persons  and  nine  children,  and  has 
had  two  added  to  the  number  of  his  communicants."1* 

The  whole  number  of  appropriated  precincts,  belonging  to  the 
Parish  of  Rye,  in  1725,  were  as  follows :— Bedford,  Scarsdale, 
Mamaroneck,  and  North  Castle,  to  which  were  subsequently 
added,  White  Plains  and  Harrison. 

The  following  are  specimens  of  the  original  taxation  rolls  of 
this  benefice,  in  1725  : — Rye,  £34  4;  Bedford,  £16  2;  Mamaro- 
neck £18;  Scarsdale,  £5  3;  and  North  Castle,  £2  9— Total 
£75  18. 

From  the  following,  it  seems,  that  Mr.  Jenney  removed  this 
year  to  Hempstead,  upon  Long  Island  :  "  At  a  meeting  of  the  ves- 
try, held  May  19th,  1726 — the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenney  produced  a  letter 
from  the  Society,  in  which  they  gave  him  leave  to  move  to 
Hempstead  ;  upon  which  the  vestry  agreed  to  write  to  the  Soci- 
ety with  the  first  opportunity,  io  pray  them  to  appoint  a  mis- 
sionary for  this  parish,  and  then  chose  Justice  Purdy  and  Mr- 
Brown,  the  churchwardens,  Justice  Knight,  Mr.  Joseph  Sher- 
wood, Mr.  Daniel  Purdy.  Capt.  Fowler,  and  Mr.  Willett,  as  a 
committee  to  write  to  the  Society  on  that  head — adjourned  till 
ye  25th  of  this  month,  to  meet  at  Thomas  Fowler's."  c 

Mr.  Jenney  continued  at  Hempstead  until  1742,  when  he  re- 
signed his  charge,  removed  to  Philadelphia,  and  was  elected 
rector  of  Christ  Church,  in  that  city,  where  he  died  at  the  age 


»  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  610-11.     (Hawks'.) 

k  Rye  Vestry  Book. 

*  Church  Records,  p.  32. 


AND  CHURCH  OF   RYE.  231 

of  75,  January  5th,  1762,  having  lost  his  wife  in  the  former 
place,  December  25th,  1738,  aged  64.*  "The  Rev.  Robert  Jen- 
ney,  LL.  D..  (says  Dr.  Dorr,)  died  in  January  of  1762,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  seventy-five  years.  He  had  been  fifty-two 
years  in  the  ministry,  and  more  than  nineteen  years  rector  of 
Christ  Church;  having  been  elected  to  that  office  in  October, 
1742."  The  Rev.  Dr.  William  Smith,  Provost  of  the  College  of 
Philadelphia,  preached  a  sermon  from  Luke  xvi.  21,  at  his  fu- 
neral, in  Christ  Church,  January  10th,  1762. b  In  that  discourse, 
it  is  said  of  him,  that  he  was  "  a  man  venerable  in  years,  and 
a  striking  pattern  of  Christian  resignation  under  a  long  and  se- 
vere ilness.  Those  who  knew  him  best  in  that  situation,  knew 
that  his  chief  concern  was  not  for  himself,  but  for  the  distress- 
ed and  perplexeJ  state  of  his  congregation.  He  was  a  man  of 
strict  honesty,  one  that  hated  dissimulation  and  a  lie  ;  exem- 
plary in  his  life  and  morals,  and  a  most  zealous  member  of  our 
Episcopal  Chnrch.';c  His  remains  repose  in  the  aisle  of  Christ 
Church,  immediately  in  front  of  the  chancel.  On  his  tomb- 
stone is  the  following,  as  near  as  can  be  deciphered  : 

ROBERTTJS  JENNEY,  LL.  D., 

*        *        *        Col.  S.  S.  Trinitat.  Dublin  studiut  alumulis 

obiit  die  V  Mensis  Januar,  Anno  Salut,  MDCCLXII. 

Mt.  LXXV.     Age  Lector. 

Parce  R.eligionis,  honestce  veritatis,  benevolentissime  Exemplum  rulis 

Hunc  Christianas  Fidei  vindicem,  Pribitatis  Cultorem  Benevolentia^stiidia, 

Respice,  sequere,  initare,  Juxta  Hoc  etiam 

moemor,  sepulta  jacet 

Joanna  Elizabetha  precedicti  Roberti  Jenney,  conjuaj 

Q,n«e  six  sanlim  modo  dies  post  mariti  sepuhuram 

obiit,  anno  setatis  sine  LXlV.d 

The  following  notices  appeared  in  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette, 
for  January  14th,  1762:  "On   Tuesday,  the  5th   inst.,  died,  in 


*  Thompson's  Hist,  of  L.  I.,  Vol.  ii.  p.  31. 
b  Smith's  Works,  Vol.  i.  p.  22. 
e  Dorr's  Hist,  of  Christ  Church,  Phil.,  pp.  129,  130. 
Ibid. 


232  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Robert  Jenney, 
Rector  of  Christ  Church  in  this  city,  'a  man  of  strict  hones- 
ty; one  that  hated  dissimulation;  exemplary  in  his  life  and 
morals,  and  a  most  zealous  member  of  the  church.'  On  Sun- 
day afternoon,  he  was  interred  in  said  Church,  when  a  suita- 
ble sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  to  a  very 
crowded  audience." 

'•'Monday  last,  died,  Mrs.  Jenney,  having  survived  her  hus- 
band only  six  days."' 

The  vacancy  created  by  the  removal  of  Mr.  Jenney,  the  ves- 
try proceeded  immediately  to  fill,  as  appears  from  the  following 
letter  to  the  Venerable  Society. 

TO  THE  REV.  MR.  DAVID  HUMPHREYS,  SECRETARY 
TO  THE  HON.  SOCIETY  FOR  PROPAGATING  YE 
GOSPELL,  &c.,  AT  THE  ARCHBISHOP'S  LIBRARY, 
AT  ST.  MARTIN'S  IN  THE  FIELDS,  LONDON. 

Rev.  Sir, 

"We,  the  churchwardens  and  vestry  of  the  parish  of  Rye, 
humbly  present  our  thanks  to  the  Hon.  Society  for  their  pious 
and  charitable  assistance  thus  long  continued  to  our  parish  ; 
and  whereas  the  Hon.  Society  have  thought  fitt  to  remove  from 
us  to  Hempstead,  our  minister,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenney,  whose  re- 
moval lays  us  under  the  necessity  to  obtain  another  as  soon  as 
possible,  to  be  actually  resident  among  us  :  so  we,  in  pursuance 
of  ye  Act  of  Assembly,  impowering  us  thereto,  have  already 
proceeded  to  elect  and  call  the  Rev.  Mr.  James  Wetmore,  who 
has  declared  his  acceptance  of  our  call,  upon  condition  the 
Hon.  Society  will  give  leave  for  his  removal.  Until  their 
pleasure  be  known,  he  has  promised  to  supply  this  parish  once 
in  three  weeks,  according  to  their  directions  to  Mr.  Jenney. 

We  therefore  humbly  request  the  Hon.  Society  would  consent 
to  his  removal,  and  that  he  may  as  speedily  as  may  be,  appoint- 
ed to  reside  constantly  among  us. 

We  conclude  with  our  hearty  prayers  that  the  blessing  of  God 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  233 

Almighty  may  attend  the  pious  and  charitable  designs  and  en- 
deavours of  that  Venerable  Body.     We  are,  Rev.  Sir, 
Yours,  and  the  Hon.  Society's 

most  dutyfull  and  humble  servants, 
[Signed  by  order.]  Jno.  Carhartt,  Clerk"c 

The  call  to  the  Rev.  James  Wetmore  was  as  follows  : — 

"Whereas,  by  the  removal  of  our  late  incumbent,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Robert  Jenney,  (to  the  parish  of  Hempstead,)  this  parish  is 
become  vacant : 

We  therefore,  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  par- 
ish of  Rye,  whose  names  and  seals  are  hereunto  affixed,  pursu- 
ant to  the  tenor  and  interest  of  an  Act  of  General  Assembly  of 
this  Province,  entitled  an  Act  for  '  settling  a  ministry  and  raising 
a  maintenance  for  them,  in  the  City  of  New-York,  County  of 
Richmond,  Westchester,  and  Queens  County,'  do  call  the  Rev. 
Mr.  James  Wetmore,  to  officiate  and  have  the  care  of  souls 
within  this  parish  of  Rye,  aforesaid.  And  the  said  Mr-  James 
Wetmore,  having  told  them  he  was  ready  to  execute  the  function 
he  was  called  unto,  when  he  should  be  inducted  into  the  same : 

Whereupon,  it  is  ordered,  that  this  Board  do  forthwith  present 
the  said  Mr.  James  Wetmore,  and  pray  his  Excellency  for  his 
induction  into  the  Church  of  the  said  parish,  with  all  and  sin- 
gular, the  rights,  privileges  and  appurtenances  to  the  same  be- 
longing, or  in  any  ways  appertaining. 

Given  under  our  hands  and  seals,  this  seventh  day  of  June, 

Anno  Dom.  1726. 

Samuel  Purdy,  [S]  ) 

„  „  rcn  (  Churchwardens. 

Benjamin  Brown.  |oJ  ) 

John  Brundige,  [SJ " 

Joseph  Sherwood,  [SJ 

Daniel  Purdy,  [S]  }■  Vestrymen}* 

Jonathan  Haight,  [S] 

William  Willett."  [S] 

■  Rye  vestry  book. 
Ibid. 


2'M  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Society  had  appointed  the  Rev.  Thom- 
as Colgan,a  as  missionary  to  Rye.  Upon  which  the  Vestry  ad- 
dressed the  following  letter  to  the  Secretary  : — 

Rev.  Sir, 

"  We,  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestry  of  ye  parish  of  Rye, 
return  our  humble  thanks  to  ye  Honourable  Society  for  their  pi- 
ous and  charitable  care  of  this  parish,  in  providing  so  speedily 
to  fill  this  vacancy  by  appointing  ye  Rev.  Mr.  Colgan  for  us; 
we  conclude  they  have  before  this  time,  been  acquainted  by  our 
letters,  how  far  we  had  proceeded  to  obtain  a  minister,  fearing 
ye  ill  consequences  of  being  left  destitute,  and  we  hope  ye  Hon- 
ourable Society  will  put  a  favourable  construction  upon  our  pro- 
ceedings. Tho'  we  have  given  our  call  to  ye  Rev.  Mr.  Wet- 
more,  and  he  received  induction  immediately  upon  it,  yet  he  al- 
ways declared  that  he  should  submit  to  ye  resolutions  of  ye 
Honourable  Society,  and  not  in  any  degree  interfere  with  their 
determinations,  and  tho:  we  find  ye  inclinations  of  ye  people 
very  much  to  have  Mr.  Wetmore  appointed  for  us,  on  which  ac- 
count we  can't  but  desire  that  ye  Honourable  Society  would  be 
pleased  to  favour  it,  yet  we  shall  always  pay  ye  greatest  deference 
to  their  pleasure,  and  if  they  finally  determine  that  Mr.  Colgan 
shall  be  for  us,  against  whom  we  have  no  exceptions,  as  being 
a  stranger  to  us,  we  shall  give  him  ye  best  welcome  we  are  ca- 
pable of;  but  inasmuch  as  ye  Rev.  Mr.  Colgan  is  willing,  by  ex- 
change with  Mr.  Wetmore,  to  continue  at  New- York,  and  that 
Vestry  has  signified  their  approbation,  we  humbly  joyn  with 
them  in  requesting  of  ye  Honourable  Society  that  they  would 
confirm  that  agreement,  and  give  liberty  for  Mr.  "Wetmore  to 
come  to  this  parish,  who,  by  being  born  in  ye  country,  and  ac- 
quainted with  ye  dispositions   and  customs  of  ye   people  here, 


»  "The  Vestry  of  Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.,  desired  the  favour  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Vesey,  that  when  the  Rev.  Mr.  Colgan  comes  to  town,  from  his  parish  at  Rye, 
he  may  have  the  liberty  of  reading  prayers,  and  preaching  in  the  afternoon ; 
which  request  Mr.  Vesey  readily  granted  and  consented  to." — Berrian's  Hist,  of 
Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.,  p.  47. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  RYE.  235 

will  be  acceptable  to  us,  and  wo  hope  do  much  service  for  reli- 
gion, hut  all  this  with  submission  to  that  "Venerable  Body,  whose 
pleasure  we  shall  most  cheerfully  submitt  to,  and  pray  ye  con- 
tinuance of  their  favours  and  charity  to  us,  and  that  God  would 
prosper  their  pious  designs. 

We  are,  Rev.  Sir,  the  Honourable  Society's 

and  your  most  humble  and  obedient  servants, 
[Signed  per  order.]  Jno.  Carhartt,  Clerk."* 

In  accordance  with  this  request,  the  Society  were  pleased  to 
withdraw  their  appointment  of  Mr.  Colgan,  and  confirm  the 
call  of  the 

REV.  JAMES  WETMORE,  A.  M. 
He  was  the  third  son  of  Ezrahiah  Wetmore  and  Rachel  Stow, b 
and  grandson  of  Thomas  Wetmore,  (a  native  of  Wales)  one  of 
the  first  settlers  of  Middletown,  Connecticut,0  where  lie  was  horn 
on  the  25th  of  December,  1695.d  He  was  educated  at  the 
collegiate  school  in  Seabrook,  which  was  afterwards  removed 
to  New  Haven,  and  obtained  the  title  of  Yale  College.  The 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  was  conferred  on  him  in  September, 
1714,  and  of  Master  of  Arts,  in  September,  1717.  About  the 
month  of  May,  in  1718,  he  was  invited  by  the  people  of  North 
Haven,  to  settle  with  them  as  their  minister;  and  in  November 
following,  he  was  ordained  the  first  Congregational  pastor  in 
that  place.  Here,  Mr.  Wetmore  was  generally  esteemed  and 
beloved  by  his  people,  as  might  reasonably  be  expected  from  the 
suavity  of  his  temper,  and  the  regularity  of  his  conduct.  But 
after   he  had   laboured  with  them  "nearly  four  years,  he  altered 


*  Rye  vestry  book. 

b  Ezrahiah  Wetmore,  was  bom  March  8th,  lG5t3-7. — Rec.  of  Marriages  and 
Deaths  in  Clerk's  office,  Middletown. 

c  Statistical  account  of  the  Count"  of  Middlesex,  by  David  D.  Field. 

d  Rec  of  Marriages  and  Deaths  in  Clerk's  office.  The  Wetmore's  were  origi- 
nally seated  at  Apley,  in  Shropshire,  near  the  borders  of  Wales.  John  Whit- 
more  was  Lord  of  Whytemore,  in  Shropshire,  A.  D.,  1250.  In  1G35,  a  Lawrence 
Whitmore,  husbandman,  aged  63,  and  his  wife  Elizabeth,  aged  57,  were  passen- 
gers in  the  ship  Hopewell,  to  Boston. — Mass.  Hist.  Coll. 


23G  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

his  religious  sentiments,  and  in  September,  1721,  declared  for 
Episcopacy.a 

la  consequence  of  this  change  of  opinion, b  he  immediately 
took  a  dismission  from  his  then  pastoral  relation.0  and  in  1723 
went  to  England,  where  he  was'  ordained  both  deacon  and 
priest,  by  Dr.  Gibson,  Bishop  of  London.  Having  been  appoint- 
ed by  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  their  catechist  at 
New-York,  in  the  place  of  Mr.  Neau,  and  assistant  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Vesey  ;  he  embarked  for  America  in  July,  and  arrived  in 
New-York,  September  the  24th,  1723. 


■  See  Allen's  American  Biog.  Die.  See  Fowler's  MSS.,  Vol.  ii.,  p.  212.  The 
Family  arms. are:— ar.,  on  a  chief  az.  three  martletts  or:— Crest,  a  falcon  ppr. 
Motto — Virtus,  Libertas,  et  Patria.  Of  this  family,  is  the  present  Prosper  M. 
Wetmore,  of  the  city  of  New- York,  son  of  Robert  Wm.,  and  grandson  of  the 
Rev.  Ezrahiah,  of  Trumbull,  Connecticut. 

/fc  Mr.  Wetmore,  the  Rector,  and  several  of  the  tutors  of  Yale  College,  besides 
many  of  the  neighboring  ministers,  having,  after  careful  enquiry  and  mature 
deliberation  being  led  to  suspect,  not  only  the  regularity,  but  even  the  lawfulness 
and  validity  of  congregational  ordination,  conformed  to  the  Church  of  England. 
The  Rev.  A.  B.  Chapin,  D.  D.,  gives  the  following  account  of  this  extraordinary 
movement  in  1722  : — 

"  But  though  neither  civil  nor  ecclesiastical  power  could  plant  the  Church  in  a 
Puritan  soil,  God  had  determined  its  existence,  free  from  all  the  entanglements  of 
State — to  be  the  defender  of  the  faith,  and  the  conservator  of  the  peace  of  the 
country.  In  the  town  of  Guildford,  was  a  pious  layman,  still  clinging  to  the 
Church  of  his  affections,  and  to  his  Prayer  Book.  That  Book  beMme  known  to 
a  promising  youth  among  his  neighbors,  and  was  thenceforth  his  inseparable 
companion  through  life. — He  goes  to  College — graduates  with  the  honors  of  the 
University — enters  the  Congregational  ministry,  and  is  settled  over  one  of  the 
Congregational  Societies  in  New  Haven.  That  Prayer  Book  went  with  him, 
-  and  became  the  pattern  of  public  devotions  that  attracted  the  attention  and  com- 
manded the  admiration  of  all  who  witnessed  his  labors.  Slowly  and  insensibly 
that  book  was  doing  an  effectual  work,  and  in  1721,  Johnson,  the  minister  of  the 
Congregational  Church,  on  the  west  side  of  New  Haven — now  West  Haven—// 

c  Mr.  Thomas,  Missionary  at  Hempstead,  L.  I.,  writing  to  the  Secretary  on 
the  1st  of  April,  1723,  says  : — "  Mr.  Wetmore  seems  very  well  qualified  for  their 
necessities,  having  of  late  by  their  differencies  in  New  England,  been  much  ex- 
ercised in  the  controversies  between  us  and  the  Dissenters,  a  most  necessary 
qualification  in  a  gentleman  among  them,  he  is  best  acquainted  with  their  weak 
sides  and  their  subterfuges,  &c. — New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol. 
i.  p.  G01.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  237 

In  \72(),  a  communication  was  received  by  the  Vestry  of 
Trinity  Church,  New- York,  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wetmore,  in 
which  he  acquainted  the  Board  that  he  had  lately  been  called 
by  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestry  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  to  be 
their  Minister,  in  the  room  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenney,  whom  the 
Society  had  appointed  for  the  Parish  of  Rye,  by  virtue  of  let- 


and  with  him  Cutler,  President  of  the  College — Brown,  a  Tutor  in  the  same — 
and  Wetmore,  the  Congregational  minister  of  North  Haven,  publicly  declared 
their  belief  in  the  divine  origin  and  perpetual  obligation  of  Episcopacy.  These 
were  all  able,  prominent  men — the  pride  of  the  people,  and  were  not  to  be  given 
up  without  an  effort.  A  disputation  was  held  before  the  Governor — the  students 
became  interested — the  flame  spread — controversy  increased,  and  thirty  graduates 
of  Yale  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Church  in  that  generation — many  of  them 
having  been  previously  in  the  ministry  of  the  Congregationalists — all  more  or 
less  directly  through  the  influence  of  Dr.  Johnson. 

Johnson,  after  receiving  orders  in  England  in  1722,  became  a  Missionary  of 
the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  and  was  stationed  at 
Stratford  and  the  adjacent  towns.  Cutler  was  sent  to  Boston,  Wetmore  to  Rye,  in 
New- York,  and  Brown  died  in  England.  The  labors  of  Johnson  were  not  confined 
to  Stratford,  but  were  extended  to  West  Haven,  Fairfield,  and  Newtown,  where  he 
established  other  Parishes  within  a  few  years.  The  elder  Seabury,  who  was  a  stu- 
dent at  Yale,  left  at  the  time  of  the  Episcopal  discussion,  and  went  to  Cambridge, 
wlyere  he  was  graduated  in  1724.  After  having  been  a  Congregational  minister  at 
Groton,  now  Poquetanock,  for  several  years,  he  declared  for  Episcopacy  in  1728, 
ami  becoming  a  Missionary  of  the  Society  already  named,  was  stationed  in  New 
London.  In  the  same  year,  1732,  Johnson  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  his  old 
friend  and  companion,  John  Beach,  the  Congregational  minister  of  Newtown, 
who  had  graduated  at  the  ever-memorable  discussion  of  1722,  declare  for  the 
Church.  He  also  became  a  Missionary  of  the  same  Society,  and  was  stationed 
at  Newtown  and  Reading.  Two  years  later,  1734,  Jonathan  Arnold.  Johnson's 
successor  in  the  Congregational  Parish  at  West  Haven,  came  into  the  Church, 
an  1  having  received  orders,  was  stationed  by  the  same  Society  as  a  Missionary 
at  West  Haven  and  vicinity.  Richard  Miner  graduated  at  Yale,  1726— for 
many  years  Johnson's  neighbor,  as  Congreg"atTonal  minister  at  Ripton,  declared 
lor  Episcopacy  in  1742,  but  died  in  England,  whither  he  had  gone  for  Orders. 
Ebenezer  Punderson,  a  native  of  New  Haven,  who  was  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1726,  and  succeeded  the  elder  Seabury  as  the  Congregational  minister  of  Groton, 
also  followed  his  example  in  declaring  for  Episcopacy,  which  he  did  about  1732, 
and  became  a  Missionary  of  the  same  Society,  at  Groton  and  Hebron,  and  subse 
quently  at  West  Hav<  n  and  vicinity.  He  was  instrumental  in  founding  Trinity 
Parish,  New  Haven,  more  than  twenty  years  after  the  beginning  of  the  Parish 
at  West  Haven,  and  organized  ten  other  Parishes  in  this  Diocese.    Solomon 


23S  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

ters  of  induction  from  his  Excellency,  Governor  Burnet,  and 
also,  that  if  the  Society  should  be  pleased  to  approve  thereof 
he  intended  to  accept  of  the  said  parish,  and  remove  thither, 
and  he  thanked  the  Vestry  for  their  subscriptions  and  favours 
to  him,  and  assured  them  that  his  intentions  for  removing  did 
not  proceed  from  any  dislike,  but  purely  because  he  conceived 


Palmer,  a  native  of  Bran  ford,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1729— after  having  been  the 
Congregational  minister  of  Cornwall  for  many  years,  declared  for  Episcopacy 
in  1754,  was  enrolled  among  the  Missionaries  of  the  same  Venerable  Society, 
and  was  also  stationed  in  Connecticut.  Henry  Caner,  of  New  Haven,  gradua- 
ted at  Yale  in  1724:  and  his  brother  Richard,  "graduated  at  ihe  same  place  in 
1734  though  born  of  Congregational  parents,  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Church, 
and  became  Missionaries  of  the  same  Society,  one  in  Massachusetts  and  the 
other  in  Connecticut. — Isaac  Browne,  graduattd  at  Yale,  in  1729,  the  brother  of 
Daniel  Browne  who  died  in  England  in  1723,  came  into  the  Church  at  West  Ha- 
ven with  his  parents,  along  with  Johnson,  in  1722,  and  was  for  many  years  a 
Missionary  of  the  same  Society  in  New- York  and  New  Jersey.  The  same  may 
be  said  of  Ebenezer  Thompson,  graduated  in  1733,  for  many  years  a  Missionary 
in  Massachusetts.  Henry  Barclay;  graduated  at  Yale  in  1734,  first  a  Missiona- 
ry of  the.  Propagation  Society  to  the  Indians,  and  then  Rector  of  Trinity  Church, 
New  York,  is  also  to  be  reckoned  among  the  number  of  those  whose  services  in 
the  Church  resulted  from  the  influence  of  Johnson.  So  also,  Ebenezer  Dibble, 
graduated  in  1734;  Christopher  Newton,  graduated  in  1740  ;  Richard  Mansfield 
and  Joseph  Lamson,  graduated  in  1741;  Ichabod  Camp,  graduated  in  1743; 
Thomas  Bradbury  Chandler  and  Jeremiah  Learning,  graduated  in  174G — were 
all  the  sons  of  Congregational  parents,  and  Missionaries  of  the  Venerable  So- 
ciety for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts.  Within  the  same  period, 
Daniel  Dwight,  graduated  in  1721,  came  into  the  Church,  and  went  to  South 
Carolina— John  Pierson,  graduated  in  1729,  went  to  New  Jersey— Ephraim  Bost- 
wick,  graduated  the  same  year,  and  Jonathan  Copp,  graduated  in  1745,  went  to 
Georgia — William  Sturgeon,  graduated  in  1745,  went  to  Pennsylvania — Walter 
Wilmot,  graduated  in  1735,  and  Hezekiah  Watkius,  graduated  in  1737,  went  to 
New- York.  Besides  these,  Barzillai  Dean,  graduated  in  1737;  Jonathan  Cotton, 
o-raduated  in  1745,  and  James  Usher,  graduated  in  1753— all  died  abroad,  having 
successively  gone  to  England  for  orders  for  Heoron.  It  may  be  proper  to  men- 
tion here,  as  showing  the  great  obstacles  which  the  Church  had  to  encounter  at 
that  early  period,  that  of  fifty-two  candidates  that  had  gone  to  England  for  orders, 
from  the  Northern  Colonies,  previous  to  1777,  ten  of  them  died  abroad,  or  were 
lost  at  sea.  All  the  persons  mentioned,  born  and  educated  Congregationalists, 
are  known  to  have  come  into  the  Church,  more  or  less  directly  through  the  influ- 
ence of  Johnson,  and  all  were  Missionaries  of  the  Society  for  Propagating  the 
Gospel.     To  these  must  be  added  William,  the  son  of  Samuel  Johnson — Sam- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  239 

it  would  be  for  the  better  and  more  certain  support  of  himself  and 
family." 

The  following  mandate  was  issued  by  his  Excellency.  Wil- 
liam Burnet : — 

MANDATE  FROM  GOVERNOUR  BURNET  TO  INDUCT  THE  REY. 
MR.  JAMES  WETMORE  TO  THE  RECTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 
CHURCH  OF  RYE. 

ulielmu3  Burnet  arrniger  Province  Novi  Eboraci,  nee  non  Novas  Caesariae 
in  America  strategus  et  Imperator  ejusdemque  Vice  Admiralis,  &e.  Universis 
et  singulis  Clericis  et  Ministris  Ecclesise  Anglica.ise  quibuscumque  in  et  per  to- 
tam  Provinciara  Novi  Eboraci  ubilibet  Consf.tutis  cedelibusEcclesire  Parochialis 
de  Rye  iDfra  Provinciam  Novi  Eboraci  prsedict  pro  hoc  tempore  salutem.  Cum 
dilectum  in  Christo  Jacobum  Wetmore  Clericum  ad  Recforiam  sive  Ecclesiam  Pa- 
rochialem  Praedict  Parochice  de  Rye  in  diet.  Provincial  Novi  Eboraci  in  America 
jam  vacantem  prasentatum  Rectorem  ejusdem  Rectoriae  sive  Ecclesise  parochialis 
inetdeEadem  institutus,  Vobis  Conjunctim  etdivisim  Committo  et  firmiterlnjun- 
gengo  Mando.  Quatenus  eundem  Jacobum  Wetmore,  Clericum.  sive  procuratorem 
suum  legitimum  ejus  nomine  et  pro  se  in  Realem  actualem  et  Corporalem  pos- 


uel,  the  son  of  Samuel  Seabury,  and  John  Ogiivie,  the  successor  of  Barclay,  as 
Missionary  to  the  Indians,  all  graduated  in  1748;  Jacob  Greaten,  graduated  in 
1751;  Lucas  Babcock,  graduated  in  1755,  and  Abraham  Beach,  graduated  in 
1757.  all  Missionaries  in  New- York  ;  James  Scoville  and  Samuel  A.  Peters, 
graduated  the  same  year;  Roger  Viets,  Bela  Hubbard,  and  Thomas  Davies, 
graduated  the  year  following,  1758,  Missionaries  in  Connecticut;  also,  Samuel 
Andrews,  graduated  in  1759  ;  Abraham  Jarvis  and  Ebenezer  Kneeland,  graduated 
in  1761  ;  Gideon  Bostwick,  and  Richard  Clarke,  graduated  in  1762,  who  were 
among  the  Missionaries  of  the  same  Society  in  Connecticut. 

These  are  the  principal  of  the  Clergy  of  Connecticut  for  half  a  century  alter 
the  conversion  of  Johnson — sustained,  every  one  of  them,   in  whole  or  in  part,  <• 
by  the  funds  of  an  English  Missionary  Society/' — Extract  from  a  sermon  by  the 
Rev.  A.  B.  Chapin,  DD.,  preached  by  request  in  Christ  Church,  Hartford,  Janu- 
ary. 1851. 

"  The  students  of  Yale  were  compelled  to  submit  to  a  fine  as  often  as  they  at- 
tended the  worship  of  the  Church  of  England." 

The  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  in  a  letter  to  the  Sec- 
retary, dated  26th  of  October,"  1722,  say  : — "  This  example  will  be  followed  by 
many,  if  not  the  most  considerable  men  amongst  them  ;  wherefore  we  have  an 
instance  in  one  Mr.  Wetmore,  a  man  of  learning  and  piety,  who  is  now  become 
zealous  for  the  service  and  interest  of  the  Church,  but  whose  circumstances 
won't  at  present,  allow  him  to  apply  for  Episcopal  ordination."  Conn.  MSS. 
from  Archives  at  Fulham,  p.  79.    (Hawks'.) 


240  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

sessionem  ipsius  Rectoriee  sive  Ecclesitc  parochialis  de  Rye  praedict  glebarium, 
juriumque  :  et  pertinentiuni  suorum  universorum.  Conferatis  Inducatis,  Indu- 
cive  faciatis  :  et  defendatis  Induclum,  Et  quid  in  pramissis  feceritis  me  aut  ali- 
um  Judicem  in  hac  parte  competentem  quemcumque  debite  (cum  ad  id  congrue 
fueritis  requisiti)  certificetis  seu  sic  certificet  ille  vestrum  qui  pracsens  hoc  man- 
datum  iuerit  Executus.  Datum  sub  sigillo  prcerogativo  dicta?  Provinciac  Novi 
Eboraci — die  Junii  anno  salutis  MDCCXXVI. 

W.  BURNET. 
By  his  Excellency's  command, 

Jas.  Robin,  Dep.  Secretary." 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  held.  January  24th, 
1726-7,  present,  Rev.  James  Wetmore,  &c,  it  was  agreed,  to 
raise  this  year  as  follows  : — 

For  the  Minister  - 

For  the  Poor  ... 

For  the  Clerk  of  the  Vestry    - 

For  the  Clerk  of  the  Church 

For  the  Drummer  ... 

For  Expenses  and  incidental  charges 

For  Mrs.  Budd,  for  her  Negroe's  work, 
seven  days'  at  the  parish  house,  at 
2s.  6d.  per  day  0  17  6 


£50 

0  0 

10 

0  0 

1 

10  0 

1 

0  0 

1 

0  0 

3 

10  0 

£67  17  6 

Collecting  money  3  116 

£71     9  0 

Quoted  as  follows  : 

Rye £35  10  0 

Bedford             -        -        -         -         -  17  0  0 

Mamaroneck            -        -         -        -  10  12  0 

Scarsdale 5  0  0 

North  Castle             -         -        -        -  3  7  0 


£71     9  0 


Upon  the  25th  of  April,  1727,  the  Vestry  addressed  the  fol- 
lowing letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Society : — 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  241 

Rev.  Sir, 

The  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  ye  parish  of  Rye 
have  ordered  me  to  return  their  humble  thanks  to  you  and 
the  Honourable  Society  for  ye  favour  of  yours  of  September 
30th,  in  which  you  acquaint  us  that  the  Honourable  Society 
have  consented  to  ye  exchange  for  which  we  had  humbly  ad- 
dressed, and  accordingly  have  appointed  ye  Rev.  Mr.  Wetmore, 
to  be  our  minister,  which  is  very  much  to  ye  satisfaction  of  ye 
whole  parish,  even  those  who  are  dissenters  from  our  Church. 

And  now  we  are  once  more  peaceably  settled,  we  hope  by  the 
blessing  of  God,  to  see  religion  revive  among  us,  which  by  con. 
tentions  and  divisions,  is  sunk  to  a  very  low  ebb.  As  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Wetmore  has  been  born  in  the  country,  and  long  known 
among  us,  who  has  had  his  conversation  becoming  his  sacred 
character  and  profession,  we  doubt  not  but  ye  people  of  this  Par- 
ish, will  continue  their  affection  to  him,  and  hope  to  see  this 
good  fruit  of  it,  viz  :  that  they  be  brought  to  a  proper  sense  of 
religion,  and  more  general  and  constant  attendance  in  ye  public 
worship  and  sacraments,  which,  for  a  long  time  have  been  very 
much  neglected  among  us.  We  earnestly  pray  for  the  blessing 
of  Almighty  God,  upon  that  Venerable  Society,  whose  extensive 
charity,  (under  God,)  finds  food  for  so  many  souls,  famishing  in 
ignorance  and  error,  and  shall  always  look  upon  ourselves  strict- 
ly bound  to  pay  it,  the  greatest  honour  and  most  cheerful  obedi- 
ence to  all  their  commands  and  directions,  and  beg  leave  to  sub- 
scribe with  all  dutiful  respects, 

Rev.  Sir,  your  and  ye  Honourable  Society's  most 
humble  and  obedient  servants, 

[Signed  by  order  of  the  Vestry,] 

John  Carhartt,  Clerk."* 

In  answer  to  a  letter  from  the  Secretary,  dated  December  30th, 
1726,  Mr.  Wetmore  replies : — 


•  Church  Records  of  Rye,  p.  38. 

16 


242  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY". 

Rye,  May  Uth,  1727. 

Rev.  Sir, 
"I  received  yours  of  December  30th,  wherein  you  acquaint  me 
that  the  Honourable  Society  have  appointed  the   Rev.   Mr.   Col- 
gan,  to  New  York,  and  me  to  Rye,  according  to  our  request,  for 
which  I  return  my  humble  thanks ;  and  inasmuch  as  the  people 
of  Rye  appear  to  me  to  be  much  gratified  by  this  exchange,  I 
shall  endeavour  to  make  the  best  use  I  can  of  the  good  affection 
they  profess  to  me,  to  promote  the  interest  of  piety  and  religion 
among  them,  which  seems  to  be  sunk  to  a  very  low  ebb.     My 
labours  have  been  divided  the  winter  past,  between  Westches- 
ter and  Rye,  but  so  that  when  I  preached  for  Mr.  Colgan  at  Rye, 
he  preached  for  me  at  Westchester,  and  our  labours  have  not 
been  without  success.  Besides  those  baptized  by  him  in  both.Par- 
ishes,  I  have  baptized  about  40  infants,  and  one  adult  person, 
and  have  had  7  adult  persons  apply  to  me  for  baptism,  whom 
1  have,  deferred  for  further  preparations,   two  of    which  are  ne- 
groes.    I  have  admitted  to  the  communion,  three  new  communi- 
cants, all  converts  from  Dissenters,-  and  several  others  with  whom 
I  have  taken  particular  pains,  have  promised  to  come  to  the  com- 
munion when  they  shall  have  gained  some  further  knowledge  of 
the  virtue  and  necessity  of  the  institution.     The  town  of  Rye, 
tho'  by  much  the  greater  part  Dissenters,  have  upon  my  request, 
chosen  trustees,  who  are  impowered  to  raise  a  tax  upon  the  town, 
to  repair  and  finish  the  Church,  which  is  now  in  a  very  poor 
condition,  and  1  have  promised  to  give  them  a  bell  if  they  will 
build  a  steeple  to  hang  it  in,  which  I  believe  they  will  comply 
with.     I  shall  be  able  to  give  more  particular  accounts  of  the  state 
of  the  Parish,  when  I  have  been  some  longer  time  with   them. 
Mr.  Henry  Caner,  being,  as  he  tells  me,   about  to  undertake  a 
voyage  to  England,  to  offer  himself  to  the  service  of  the  Honour- 
able Society,  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  him  as  a  person  of  a  good 
character  among  us.  and  qualified  to  serve  the  Church,  sober, 
grave,  and  exemplary  in  his  conversation,   and  of  good  report, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EYE.  243 

even  among  those  that  are  without,  of  whom  I  speak  with  the 
greater  assurance  both  as  to  his  piety  and  loyalty  to  his  Majesty 
because  I  have  been  personally  and  intimately  acquainted  with 
him  for  more  than  three  years.  It  is  matter  of  joy  to  me,  to  see 
so  many  new  churches  going  forward  in  this  country,  and  the 
good  position  of  so  many  people  in  all  parts  of  it,  notwithstand- 
ing the  violence  and  bitterness  of  its  numerous  adversaries.  I 
pray  God  to  bless  and  reward  the  charity  of  that  Venerable 
Body,  which  gives  life  and  motion  to  the  church  in  these  parts, 
and  beg  leave  to^subscribe  with  all  dutiful  regard, 
Rev.  Sir,  Yours,  and  the 

Honourable  Society's,  most  humble 
and  obedient  servant, 

James  Wetmore."1 

On  the  16th  of  January,  1727,  the  vestry  voted  that  a  drum 
be  bought  out  of  ye  money  in  Bank,  for  the  use  of  the  Parish, 
and  chose  Joseph  Bloomer,  Clerk  of  ye  Church,  drummer  for  ye 
year  insuing.b  In  the  fall  of  1727,  Mr.  Wetmore  reports  "he  hath 
baptized  one  adult,  and  35  children,  one  of  which  is  a  negro, 
and  has  had  three  more  communicants;  that  he  is  preparing  5  or 
6  for  baptism,  2  of  which  are  negroes,  and  that  his  congrega- 
tion increases  and  have  been  much  more  constant  and  steady  in 
attending  the  Church,  the  last  summer,  than  formerly." 

In  reply  to  certain  enquiries  from  the  Secretary,  Mr.  Wet- 
more  gives  the  following  account  of  his  Parish  : — 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  February  20th,  1727-8. 
Rev.  Sir. 

"Yours  of  June  16th,  came  not  to  hand,  till  the  14th  of  Novem- 
ber. I  have  since  used  my  utmost  diligence  to  prepare  myself  to 


■  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  676-7.     (Hawks'.) 
k  Church  Records,  p.  40. 


244  HISTORY  OF    THE  PARISH 

answer  the  queries  contained  therein,  which  is  something  difficulty 
considering  the  large  extent  of  rny  Parish,  in  which  is  but  one 
Church,  viz  :  the  Town  of  Rye,  built  by  a  license  from  Lord 
Cornbury,  Governour  of  New  York,  in  the  year  1706,  the  mate- 
rials of  which  are  rough  stone,  from  the  foundation  to  the  roof, 
and  the  east  end  was  first  built  with  stone  to  the  top,  but  the  wea- 
ther beating  through  to  the  prejudice  of  the  ceiling,  it  has  been 
since  pulled  down  and  built  with  wood  and  shingled,  and  the 
ceiling  repaired,  which  cost  £30,  which  £30  was  part  of  a  year's 
salary,  after  Mr.  Bridge's  death,  applied  to  that  use  by  order  of 
the  General  Assembly.  The  chief  promoter  of  the  Church,  and  its 
greatest  benefactor,  was  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  who  gave  the 
nails  and  all  the  iron  work ;  Mr.  Muirson  paid  the  masons, 
whose  work  amounted  to  about  £40,  whether  he  procured  the 
money  by  donations  in  York,  or  otherways,  I  can't  certainly  find  ; 
the  remainder  was  paid  by  a  tax  upon  the  Town,  but  nothing 
of  the  inside  was  then  done,  but  the  ceiling.  In  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bridge's  time,  a  subscription  was  promoted  for  finishing  the 
Church,  but  nothing  more  was  done,  than  building  the  pulpit 
and  altar,  and  laying  part  of  the  place  afterwards.  When  Mr. 
Jenney  was  minister  of  the  Parish,  £8  was  raised  by  the  Parish 
to  make  shutters  for  the  windows,  and  six  pieces  were  built  by 
particular  men.  Upon  the  first  town  meeting  after  I  was  ap- 
pointed to  this  parish,  I  prayed  the  town  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  neglected  and  ruinous  state  of  the  Church,  being  gone 
very  much  to  decay,  and  to  think  of  some  method  that  would  be 
most  acceptable  to  the  people,  to  put  it  into  a  better  condition  } 
upon  which  they  chose  trustees,  to  repair  it  according  to  an  act 
of  Assembly  of  the  Province,  empowering  trustees  so  chosen  to 
repair  public  buildings.  These  trustees  made  a  tax  of  £100, 
and  immediately  provided  for  repairing  and  finishing  the 
Church,  and  have  put  a  new  cover  of  cedar  shingles  upon  it, 
the  old  one  which  was  of  oak,  being  worn  out ;  they  have  also 
finished  the  floor  and  all  the  pews,  and  would  have  proceeded 
to  repair  the  doors  and  glass  which  are  gone  much  to  decay,  and 
to  paint  the  walls  and  clean  the  church,  but  are  obliged  to  cease 
for  the  present,  by  reason  of  some  opposition  they  meet  with 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  245 

from  some  of  the  Presbyterian  party,  instigated  by  a  very  troub- 
lesome fellow,  one  John  Walton,  who  set  up  for  a  Teacher  among 
them,  before  my  being  appointed  here,  from  whom  I  have  met 
with  a  great  deal  of  opposition.  These  Presbyterians  have  com- 
menced a  law  suit  against  the  collector  of  the  tax,  and  tho'  we 
hope  they  will  finally  get  no  advantage,  yet  it  caused  the  work 
to  cease;  but  I  hope  we  shall  find  some  method  to  revive  it  again 
and  to  build  a  steeple,  to  encourage  which,  I  have  promised  to 
give  them  a  bell  when  the  steeple  is  finished.  The  Church  is  49 
feet  in  length  from  west  to  east,  and  34  feet  in  width ;  there  are 
two  large  aisles  in  the  Church,  one  from  the  west  door  up  to  the 
altar,  the  other  from  the  south  door  up  to  the  reading  pew,  which 
stands  before  the  pulpit  ;  the  rest  is  now  filled  in  with  handsome 
pews,  the  altar  is  raised  two  steps  and  railed  in,  but  a  poor  al- 
tar piece.  We  have  a  silk  carpet  for  the  communion  table,  and  a 
pulpit  cloth,  given  by  Queen  Anne,  of  blessed  memory,  with  a 
Chalice  and  Paten  ;  we  have  a  folio  Bib'e  and  Common  Prayer 
Book,  worn  old,  given  by  the  Honourable  Society,  or  by  the 
Q,ueen,  as  also  the  library  as  usual  to  every  minister. 

There  is  a  salary  of  £50  per  annum,  New-York  money, 
which  is  equivalent  to  about  £3L  sterling,  settled  by  an  Act  of 
Assembly  upon  an  orthodox  minister,  called  by  the  Vestry,  and 
inducted  by  the  Governour.  This  Vestry  consists  of  ten  men 
and  two  Churchwardens,  to  be  chosen  annually,  the  second  Fri- 
day in  January,  by  the  votes  of  the  whole  parish.  The  glebe 
is  a  small,  old  house,  and  three  acres  of  land  lying  near  the 
Church,  one  acre  of  which  was  given  by  Justice  Denham,  and 
about  eight  acres,  a  mile  distant,  lying  in  such  a  form  as  to  be 
of  very  little  use,  but  at  present  rented  for  three  bushels  of  wheat 
per  annum,  for  seven  years.  The  house  was  first  built  by  the 
town  for  a  Presbyterian  minister,  before  there  was  a  church  in 
town,  but  never  any  particular  settlement  of  it  upon  any  ;  when 
a  minister  of  the  Church  came,  and  they  had  no  Presbyterian 
minister,  the  house  was  put  into  his  possession  and  enjoyed 
successively  with  the  glebe,  by  the  minister  of  the  Church,  but 
the  Presbyterian   party  threatening  to  give  trouble  about  it  in 


246  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

Mr.  Jenney's  time,  he  procured  a  survey  of  it  for  the  Church, 
and  got  it  entered  upon  the  public  records  of  the  Province  ;  he 
also  repaired  the  house,  which  was  almost  fallen  down,  being 
neglected  by  Mr.  Bridge,  who  thought  it  not  worth  repairing. 

When  the  Church  was  first  built,  the  town  was  but  small 
and  the  people  poor.  I  find  by  an  old  list,  that  the  number  of 
people  taxed  for  building  the  Church  were  about  ninety-three, 
some  of  which  were  widows,  and  some  young  men  without  fam- 
ilies, and  tho'  they  were  generally  Presbyterians,  by  Col.  Heath- 
cote's  influence,  and  Mr.  Muirson's  industry  and  good  behaviour 
and  the  Governour  of  the  Province  being  zealous  to  encourage 
the  Church,  they  all  united  in  building  the  Church,  and  fre- 
quented the  worship  in  it,  as  long  as  Mr.  Muirson  lived,  and  so 
they  did  in  Mr.  Bridge's  time,  but  after  his  death  they  fell  into 
division,  and  invited  a  Presbyterian  minister  among  them,  and 
tho'  they  have  never  had  one  ordained  in  the  Presbyterian  or  In- 
dependent way,  yet  they  have  kept  up  their  party,  and  whenever 
there  has  been  a  vacancy,  the  Independent  ministers  from  the  Col- 
ony of  Connecticut  have  then  especially  been  very  busy  to 
strengthen  that  party  and  increase  their  prejudices  against  the 
Church.  This  Walton  I  before  mentioned,  took  an  opportunity 
to  get  into  the  parish  at  a  time  when  there  was  a  contest  be- 
tween the  Rev.  Mr.  Jenney  and  the  people,  concerning  the  salary} 
during  the  vacancy  after  Mr.  Bridge's  death,  which  the  Vestry 
raised,  rather  than  stand  a  trial  at  law,  and  Mr.  Jenney  laid  it 
out  in  repairing  the  house  and  glebe,  but  many  that  before  came 
to  the  Church,  and  some  who  had  been  communicants  in  Mr. 
Bridge's  time  (yet  always  lovers  of  Independency)  being  now 
disaffected,  readily  fell  in  with  this  Walton,  and  being  a  bold, 
noisy  fellow,  of  a  volible  tongue,  drew  the  greatest  part  of  the 
town  after  him,  and  he  has  taken  all  imaginable  pains  to  give 
them  ill  impressions  of  the  Church  ;  he  spurred  them  forward 
to  build  one  meeting  house  at  the  White  Plains,  about  six 
miles  from  the  Church,  and  has  set  them  on  to  build  another  in 
the  town,  within  about  one  hundred  rods  of  the  Church,  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  which,  they  have  obtained  briefs  from  the 


AND   CHURCH   OF   RYE.  217 

General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  Colony,  to  beg  in  all  the 
towns  and  villages  of  that  Colony,  who  being  great  enemies  of 
the  Church,  have  contributed  largely  out  of  mere  opposition  to 
the  Church.  I  have  used  my  utmost  diligence  and  prudence 
since  my  coming  among  them,  to  dispose  them  to  a  reconcilia- 
tion, and  to  establish  and  strengthen  the  wavering,  and  my  en- 
deavours have,  in  some  degree,  been  successful.  I  have  brought 
some  over  to  the  Church,  several  to  the  communion,  and  in- 
spired others  with  a  greater  love  and  zeal  for  the  worship  and 
constitution  of  the  Church,  tho'  it  must  be  confessed  to  their 
shame,  there  is  still  a  very  great  indifference  and  slackness  in 
attending  the  public  worship  of  God,  among  those  that  profess 
themselves  churchmen,  as  well  as  among  the  sectaries. 

As  to  the  general  condition,  employ,  and  business  of  those 
who  frequented  the  Church  at  first,  their  estates  lay  much  in 
unimproved  lands,  and  I  can't  learn  that  they  raised  much,  if 
anything,  for  the  market,  but  what  they  trafficked  with  was 
chiefly  wood  and  cattle.  As  to  their  sentiments  in  matters  of 
religion,  I  have  already  intimated  they  were  by  profession,  Pres- 
byterians, and  always  loved  the  Independent  principles,  but  the 
Act  of  Assembly  providing  for  the  support  of  a  ministry,  being 
so  worded  as  to  give  the  benefit  only  to  ministers  of  the  Church 
of  England,  tho'  many  of  the  Assembly  perhaps  might  design 
otherways- -and  the  Governour's  being  zealous  to  encourage  the 
Church,  and  Colonel  Heathcote.  being  in  the  parish,  a  man  of  great 
influence  over  the  people,  and  especially  the  better  sort;  and 
Mr.  Muirson  being  acceptable  to  the  people  by  his  sober  and 
grave  conversation,  and  very  industrious  to  remove  the  scruples 
they  had  conceived,  and  their  prejudices  against  the  Church, 
they  generally  fell  in  to  encourage  and  promote  the  Church) 
and  frequented  the  worship  of  it,  but  those  of  them  now  liv- 
ing, who  have  left  the  Church,  say  they  were  always  Presbyte- 
rians, but  while  they  were  in  no  condition  to  get  a  minister  ac- 
cording to  their  own  mind,  they  thought  it  was  better  to  go  to 
Church  than  to  have  no  religion,  (tho'  we  have  some  now  that 
are  hardly  of  that  opinion.)     Their  manner  of  living  was  at 


248  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

first  somewhat  more  compact  than  it  is  now,  for  as  they  increase, 
they  move  out  into  the  woods,  and  settle,  where  they  can  get  good 
farms.  The  Parish  consists  of  three  towns,  Rye,  and  Mamaro- 
neck,  about  four  or  five  miles  south,  and  Bedford,  about  twenty 
miles  north.  The  nearest  English  Church  is  Westchester, 
about  fifteen  miles  north  from  Rye,  and  very  bad  travelling  in 
the  winter  and  spring,  but  in  the  summer,  pretty  good,  but  from 
Bedford  to  Westchester  is  thirty- five  miles  and  always  bad  trav- 
elling. 

The  parish  is  very  much  improved  since  the  first  settling  of 
the  Church  here,  especially  as  to  their  numbers,  and  tho'  there 
are  many  that  live  very  meanly,  and  counting  the  value  of  un- 
improved lands  (all  which  belonged  to  a  few  men,  and  now 
sold  or  divided  among  their  children)  we  may  look  upon  the 
former  inhabitants  as  possessing  better  estates  than  most  of  their 
children  now ;  yet  'tis  certain  in  general,  that  the  manufacture 
of  the  country  is  very  much  increased,  and  there  are  more  hun- 
dreds of  bushels  of  wheat  sent  to  market  in  a  year  now,  than 
single  bushels  twenty  years  past.  There  are  now  in  the  whole 
parish,  as  I  find  by  the  several  lists  for  the  year  past,  three  hun- 
dred and  forty  persons  upon  whom  the  tax  is  levied,  heads  of 
families,  and  young  men  in  the  township  of  Rye  two  hundred 
in  Mamaroneck  twenty,  in  the  Manor  of  Scarsdale  thirty,  in 
Bedford  sixty,  and  thirty  in  North  Castle,  a  new  settlement  be- 
tween Rye  and  Bedford,  about  six  miles  from  Bedford  ;  this 
place  was  chiefly  settled  by  people  of  no  religion  at  all,  very  ig- 
norant and  barbarous,  being  descendants  of  the  Long  Island 
Quakers,  and  having  more  knowledge  of  Quakerism  than  of 
any  other  religion,  are  more  receptive  of  that,  but  there  being 
a  few  people  of  the  Church  among  them,  Mr.  Jenney  first  began 
to  take  pains  with  them,  preached  among  them,  and  baptized 
several,  tho'  they  are  since  all  returned  to  Quakerism  or  nothing ; 
and  'tis  certain  they  have  left  the  Church,  partly  by  the  instiga- 
tion of  the  Quakers  (who  have  been  very  busy  among  them 
while  they  were  long  neglected)  from  Mr.  Jenney's  being  called 
to  Hempstead,  at  my  being  fixed  here,  and  partly  upon  disgustj 


AND  CHURCH  OP  RYE.  249 

being  disappointed  of  some  preferments  they  expected  Mr.  Jen- 
ney  would  procure  for  them,  and  being  reproved  for  bringing  a 
scandal  upon  religion  by  their  loose  and  irregular  living  ;  how- 
ever, there  are  a  few  sober  people  that  live  there,  and  to  accom- 
modate them  and  Bedford,  or  at  least  some  from  Bedford  that 
are  willing  to  come  to  Church,  I  preach  once  in  about  five 
weeks  at  North  Castle.  There  are  three  meeting  houses  in  the 
parish,  one  at  Bedford,  built  for,  and  used  by  the  Presbyterians, 
one  in  the  township  of  Rye,  about  seven  miles  from  the  Church, 
towards  North  Castle,  built  last  year  by  the  Quakers,  and  one 
at  White  Plains,  in  the  township  of  Rye,  about  six  miles  from 
the  Church,  built  last  year  by  the  followers  of  Walton,  who  are 
the  old  Independent  party,  and  they  are  about  building  another 
near  the  Church.  The  haughty,  insolent  behaviour  of  Walton, 
drew  upon  him  the  displeasure  of  the  dissenting  teachers,  on 
which  account  he  removed  from  the  parish  a  few  days  ago,  but 
introduced  a  young  man  to  be  his  successor,  who  holds  forth 
one  Sunday  at  White  Plains,  and  another  in  the  town  of  Rye, 
alternately,  for  which  they  give  him  £50  per  annum,  which 
they  raise  by  subscriptions;  they  have  besides  given  him 
money  to  purchase  a  house  and  land,  but  how  much  I  can't 
tell.  The  Quakers  have  no  constant  holder  forth  among  them, 
but  keep  silent  meetings,  unless  when  some  travelling  speaker 
chances  to  straggle  among  them,  and  then  they  follow  it  every 
day  in  the  week,  from  one  place  to  another,  taking  all  imagina- 
ble pains  to  seduce  the  ignorant  and  unstable.  At  Bedford  they 
have  had  a  Presbyterian  minister,  they  gave  him  a  house  and 
farm  to  work  upon,  and  £40  per  annum,  but  finding  it  not  suf- 
ficient to  support  him  with  a  numerous  family,  he  has  left  them, 
and  they  are  now  settled  with  another  young  man,  to  whom  they 
give  the  same  allowance.  As  to  the  number  of  people  dissent- 
ing from  the  Church,  of  all  sorts  throughout  the  parish,  they 
are  much  the  greater  part  at  Mamaroneck.  They  are  chiefly  Qua- 
kers in  the  town  of  Rye  ;  the  number  of  Church  people  and 
Independents  are  near  equal,  about  sixty  families  each — about 
fifteen  families,  Quakers,  and  the  rest  are  a  sort  of  people  that 


250  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH    | 

frequent  no  manner  of  public  worship,  and  by  all  I  can  learn 
have  no  private  worship,  neither.  There  are  some  of  this  sort 
at  North  Castle,  about  ten  families  of  the  Church,  and  the  rest 
Quakers ;  at  Bedford,  there  are  about  eight  or  ten  families  of 
the  Church,  and  the  rest  Presbyterians  or  Independents ;  at  the 
Manor  of  Scarsdale,  about  eight  families  of  the  Church,  and 
the  rest  Dissenters  of  one  denomination  or  another.  There  are 
no  more  Dissenting  teachers  in  the  Parish  than  I  have  mentioned, 
these  officiate  without  any  sort  of  ordination,  and  without  qual- 
ifying themselves  according  to  the  act  of  toleration;  in  that  peo- 
ple are  suffered  to  do  and  say  what  they  please  about  religion 
under  a  notion  that  the  laws  of  England  relating  to  religion, 
dorrt  extend  to  the  Plantations.  ^As  to  schools  for  teaching 
children,  there  are  several  poor  ones  in  the  different  parts  of  the 
parish  ;  while  Mr.  Cleator  had  his  sight,  they  tell  me  he  kept 
a  constant  and  good  school,  but  now,  where  a  number  of  fami- 
lies live  near  together,  they  hire  a  man  and  woman  at  a  cheap 
rate,  subscribing  every  one  what  they  will  allow  ;  some  masters 
get  £20  per  annum,  and  their  diet,  some  £12,  but  there  is  no 
public  provision  at  all  for  a  school  in  ibis  parish,  except  what 
the  Honourable  Society  allow  Mr.  Cleator,  nor  is  there  any  do- 
nations or  benefactions  to  the  minister  or  schoolmaster,  besides 
what  I  have  mentioned,  nor  is  there  any  library  besides  the 
Honourable  Society's. 

The  number  of  negroes  in  the  parish  is  about  one  hundred; 
since  Mr.  Cleator  has  been  blind  and  unable  to  teach  school  he 
has  taken  pains  with  the  negroes,  so  many  as  their  masters 
would  allow  to  come,  but  of  late,  they  have  left  coming  alto- 
gether; those  that  belong  to  Quaker  masters,  they  will  allow 
them  no  instruction;  some  Presbyterians  will  allow  their  ser- 
vants to  be  taught,  but  are  unwilling  they  should  be  baptized, 
and  those  of  the  Church  are  not  much  better,  so  that  there  is  but 
one  negro  in  the  parish,  baptized.  I  had  two  of  my  own,  which 
I  baptized,  but  I  have  lately  sold  them  out  of  the  parish,  and  I 
have  another,  which  I  have  instructed  and  design  to  baptize  very 
speedily. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  251 

Since  I  received  my  Lord  of  London's  letters  to  the  masters 
and  mistresses,  I  have  taken  particular  pains  with  them,  and 
the}?'  give  me  encouragement  that  they  will  send  them  lo  be  in- 
structed, if  the  masters  can  agree  upon  some  regulations  to  pre- 
vent the  common  inconveniencies  of  their  meeting  together,  and 
I  hope  I  shall  prevail  upon  many  of  them  to  send  their  servants 
upon  Sunday  afternoons,  and  if  Mr.  Cleator  can  do  anything 
towards  the  instruction  it  will  be  a  pleasure  to  the  good  old 
man  and  I  shall  assist  him  in  it  myself,  and  endeavour  that 
many  of  them  may  be  brought  to  receive  Christian  baptism. 

This  is  the  most  true  and  exact  account  I  can  anyways  give 
in  answer  to  the  queries  contained  in  your  letter. 

Rev.  Sir,  your  and  the  Honourable  Society's 

most  obedient  humble  servant, 

James  Wetmore."1 

The  Society's  abstracts  for  1728,  say :  "  letters  have  been  receiv- 
ed from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wetmore,  missionary  at  Rye,  in  New- 
York,  that  his  congregation  is  considerably  increased  ;  that  since 
his  last,  he  hath  had  nine  new  communicants,  and  hath  bap- 
tized seventeen  children,  and  five  adults,  one  of  which  is  a  ne- 
gro slave ;  that  he  hath  four  negroes  under  instruction,  whom 
he  expects  to  baptize  in  a  month ;  that  there  are  many  unbap- 
tized  persons  in  that  parish,  and  many  careless  livers  who  seem 
wholly  thoughtless  of  a  future  state  and  quite  indifferent  about 
religion,  however,  he  has  had  some  success  in  his  endeavours  to 
reclaim  them ;  that  at  North  Castle,  a  new  settlement  in  the 
woods,  there  are  more  than  forty  families,  most  of  which  are 
unbaptized,  and  that  he  preaches  there  every  fifth  Sunday  to 
accommodate  that  place  and  Bedford,  about  six  miles  further 
northward,  tVjat  a  great  many  of  the  people  come  to  church, 
and  he  hath  baptized  four  adults  and  sundry  children  there." 

From  a  letter  of  Mr.  Wetmore,  to  the  Secretary,  dated  Rye, 
Province  of  New- York,  November  1st,  1728,  we  extract  the  fol- 
lowing: 


■  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  G83,  694.     (Hawks'.) 


252  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Rev.  Sir, 

"There  are  many  whole  families  I  have  found  that  were  never 
baptized,  and  there  are  many  more  in  which  some  part  are  bap- 
tized, and  some  not,  and  to  find  out  the  exact  number  through 
the  parish,  is  exceeding  difficult,  but  I  shall  endeavour  as  fast  as 
I  can,  to  acquaint  myself  with  the  .state  of  every  family,  and 
persuade  those  to  their  duty,  who  have  hitherto  neglected  it. 

There  are  three  large  families  in  this  Town,  that  I  have  taken 
particular  pains  with,  to  convince  them  of  the  necessity  and 
importance  of  attending  that  Institution,  in  one  of  those  families 
there  are  eleven  children,  some  of  them  grown  to  years  of  un- 
derstanding ;  the  mother  has  desired  me  to  baptize  them ;  the 
children  grown  up,  frequent  the  Church.  The  father  is  a  Qua- 
ker, and  will  not  consent  to  their  being  baptized.  The  mother 
would  have  it  done  without  his  knowledge,  and  this  is  not  the 
only  instance  of  this  nature  I  have  been  puzzled  with."a 

In  1728,  the  Society  appointed  My.  Flint  Dwight,  a  native  of 
New  England,  educated  at  Harvard  College,  to  be  catechist 
and  school  master  amongst  the  poor  people  at  North  Castle,  in 
the  Parish  of  Rye,  in  New- York. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry,  on  the  3d  of  February,  1729,  "  it 
was  moved  whether  the  money  voted  to  be  raised  for  buying  a 
pall,  at  the  last  meeting  of  the  Vestry  should  be  raised  according 
as  it  was  then  voted,  or  not,  and  it  was  now  carried  in  the  affir- 
mative by  a  great  majority,  and  with  this  explanation,  that  it  is  a 
convenient  provision  for  the  poor,  for  their  decent  interment. "b 

This  year  Mr.  Wetmore  again  addressed  the  Secretary. 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  July  31  st,  1729. 

Rev.  Sir, 
"Since  my  last,  dated  November  5th,  1728,  we  have  had  noth- 
ing very  remarkable  in  this  Parish.  The  trial  with  the  people  of 


1  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  11,  12.    (Hawks'.) 
6  Church  Records,  p.  46. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  253 

the  White  Plains,  who  commenced  an  action  against  the  oflicer 
for  collecting  the  rate  to  repair  the  Church,  was  not  issued  till 
last  month,  so  that  nothing  has  been  done  towards  repairing  the 
Church,  for  about  12  months  past,  but  that  action  being  now  de_ 
termined  in  favour  of  the  Church,  I  hope  they  will  go  on 
with  the  work  and  bring  it  to  some  greater  perfection  ;  I  have 
been  labouring  to  soften  and  reconcile  the  Dissenting  party,  for 
which  reason  I  have  not  urged  raising  more  money  upon  the 
Parish,  but  I  hope  the  present  Trustees  of  the  town,  who  are  4 
Churchmen  to  2  Independents,  will  do  something  in  the  matter 
without  my  appearing  active  in  it,  and  the  Independents  will 
have  the  less  to  object,  because  they  are  doing  their  utmost  to 
build  a  meeting  house,  and  can  hardly  think  we  should  have 
less  zeal  to  make  the  Church  appear  beautiful,  when  we  have 
sufficient  power  in  our  own  hands.  The  Dissenters  have  no 
teacher  among  them,  but  the  common  teachers  come  once  in  a 
while  to  preach  among  them,  to  keep  the  party  alive,  many  of 
them  come  to  Church  and  bring  their  children  to  be  baptized,  but 
I  cannot  depend  upon  their  being  so  reconciled,  but  that  they  will 
leave  the  Church  again  if  one  Independent  teacher  comes  to  town, 
but  I  am  in  hopes  while  so  many  come  to  Church,  and  are  pretty 
easy,  the  zealots  of  the  party  will  never  be  able  to  make  an  in- 
terest strong  enough  to  procure  a  teacher  among  them.  My 
congregation  is  considerably  increased  at  New  Castle,  a  new 
settlement  in  the  woods,  where  I  go  to  officiate  every  fifth  Sun- 
day, the  Dissenters  their;  are  all  Quakers,  and  I  have  thought 
if  we  had  a  good  school  master  there,  it  might  be  of  great  ser- 
vice to  religion,  in  some  sort  to  supply  the  place  of  a  resident 
minister  in  catechising  and  instructing  the  youth,  and  keeping 
the  people  from  running  wild  in  their  principles  and  practice,  as 
they  are  in  great  danger  of  doing,  by  being  among  so  many  Qua- 
kers, seducers,  and  more  of  no  religion. 

Yours,  &c,  &c., 

James  Wetmore."8- 


*  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  22.    (Hawks'.) 


254  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

In  1729,  Mr.  Wetmore  writes  to  the  Secretary,  that  he  meets 
with  good  success  in  his  mission  ;  that  his  hearers  increase  and 
that  several  of  the  Independents  have  quitted  that  persuasion 
and  very  regularly  attend  divine  service  at  his  Church.  In 
his  report  for  1730,  he  acquaints  the  Society  with  the  good  suc- 
cess he  meets  with  in  his  mission,  and  the  hopes  he  entertains 
of  checking  the  growth  of  Quakerism. 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye)  New-  York,  December  2lst,  1730. 
Rev.  Sir, 

"  There  has  nothing  very  remarkable  happened  in  this  Parish 
since  my  last,  our  Church  has  been  very  full  all  this  summer 
past,  and  the  Independents  having  been  destitute  of  any  teacher 
of  their  sort,  are  grown  something  more  complying  than  former- 
ly, and  sundry  of  them  attend  the  church  constantly,  with 
good  satisfaction.  ■ 

Our  greatest  trouble  is  now  with  the  Quakers,  who  are 
very  industrious  to  propagate  their  sect;  where  any  of  them  set- 
tle, they  spare  no  pains  to  infect  their  neighbourhood  and  where 
they  meet  with  any  encouragement,  they  follow  them  up  with 
their  meetings  day  after  day,  and  new  holders  forth,  who  have 
all  a  great  fame  spread  before  them,  to  invite  many  curiosities, 
besides  they  are  much  encouraged  by  the  countenance  they 
meet  with,  our  people  of  credit  will  often  go  to  their  meetings, 
especially  what  they  call  their  great  and  general  meetings, 
which  I  think  are  of  pernicious  consequence  to  religion,  and 
ought  to  be  suppressed  ;  these  meetings  debauch  young  people 
and  many  as  to  their  principles.  I  have  used  my  utmost  dili- 
gence to  secure  my  parish  from  the  poisonous  infection  of  those 
principles,  but  yet  they  have  gained  ground  among  us,  by  Qua- 
kers coming  from  Long  Island  to  settle  here,  and  some  few  have 
been  seduced  by  them,  among  whom  a  woman  of  very  good  fam- 
ily, to  whom  I  wrote  the  enclosed  letter  upon  that  occasion, 
to  which  having  received  two  answers  from  the  Quakers,  I 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  255 

thought  it  proper  to  put  this  letter  in  print,  especially  having  Mr. 
Johnson's  advice,  whose  judgment  I  very  much  esteem,  and 
I  have  writ  a  reply  to  the  two  Quaker  letters,  which  I  design 
to  publish  as  soon  as  they  have  printed  theirs;  if  those,  who 
urge  me  to  it  will  help  to  bear  the  charge  which  some  of  them 
have  promised,  and  'tis  thought  the  method  I  have  taken,  was 
very  seasonable  and  necessary  and  will  be  like  to  have  some 
good  effect  in  putting  a  stop  to  the  growth  of  Quakerism,  which 
for  many  years  has  gained  ground  in  this  Province,  and  having 
had  little  or  no  public  opposition,  has  almost  overrun  us. 

I  have  baptized  but  one  adult  this  last  half  year,  who  is  the 
daughter  of  a  Quaker,  and  12  children,  and  have  had  two  new 
communicants  ;  I  enclose  the  printed  letter  without  any  other 
apology  for  so  doing,  but  that  I  think  it  my  duty  to  submit  my- 
self to  the  direction  of  this  Honourable  Society,  if  I  have  been 
moved  by  an  over  forward  zeal  to  appear  publicly  in  a  cause 
that  might  have  been  much  better  managed  by  other  hands. 
My  humble  duty  to  the  Honourable  Society,  and  hearty  prayers 
to  Almighty  God,  to  prosper  all  their  charitable  undertakings 
and  designs,  concludes  this  from 

Rev.  Sir,  &c, 

James  Wetmore."1 

In  the  following  year  Mr.  Wetmore  reports  to  the  Secretary  : 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  May  \Uh,  1731. 

Rev.  Sir, 

"  Though  I  have  nothing  very  remarkable  to  acquaint  you 
with,  yet  in  compliance  with  the  commands  of  the  Honourable 
Society,  I  think  it  my  duty  frequently  to  write  to  you,  if  it  was 
for  no  other  end  but  to  engage  myself  to  the  greater  diligence 


»  New- York  M8S.  from  Archives  at  Falham,  vol.  ii.  p.  41,  42.    (Hawks'.) 


256  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

and  industry  in  the  discharge  of  my  function,  that  I  might  have 
this  at  least  to  give  an  account  of  whatever  the  success  proves ; 
however,  I  have  some  encouragement,  in  that  my  endeavours  have 
been  so  far  blessed  with  success,  that  the  Independents  can  get 
no  teacher  among  them,  though  Connecticut  people  have  assist- 
ed them  with  money  to  build  two  meeting  houses  in  this  town. 
The  party,  I  think,  would  soon  be  at  an  end  were  it  not  for  the 
teachers  in  Connecticut  that  once  in  a  while  come  along  and 
enleavour  to  keep  up  the  zeal  of  some  few  that  instigate  others  ; 
but  many  of  them  come  constantly  to  church,  especially  the 
younger  ones,  and  as  to  the  White  Plains,  where  lives  the  chief 
body,  I  endeavour  to  make  them  easy  by  going  every  eighth 
Sunday  to  preach  to  them,  when  they  come  to  church  univer- 
sally, and  seem  to  express  a  satisfaction  in  it.  I  am  in  great 
hopes  I  shall  gain  them  over  in  time,  by  God's  help.  The  peo- 
ple of  Bedford,  who  are  the  most  rigid  and  severe  of  all,  came 
very  generally  to  church  when  I  was  last  among  them,  and 
many  that  never  before  were  at  church  at  North  Castle.  3Ir. 
Dwisht  is  very  diligent  in  his  business  and  well  beloved  for  his 
diligence  and  sobriety,  but  the  people. in  some  respects  are  slack, 
and  not  so  zealous  as  I  expected  many  of  them  would  be  ;  to 
remedy  which,  I  would  request  in  Mr.  Uwight's  behalf,  and  for 
the  greater  benefit  of  his  labours,  that  the  Honourable  Society 
would  signify  their  pleasure  to  him  that  upon  a  prospect  of 
doing  greater  service  to  religion  he  might  remove  to  any  other 
part  of  the  Parish  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  minister 
and  churchwardens  of  the  Parish.  This  would  be  a  means  to 
quicken  their  zeal,  and  make  them  more  punctual  in  fulfilling 
their  engagements,  for  they  will  be  very  unwilling  to  part  with 
him. 

Since  Christmas  last  I  have  baptized  two  adults,  nineteen 
white  children,  and  one  negro.  My  communicants  have  in- 
creased none.  I  meet  with  the  most  trouble  from  the  Quakers, 
who  are  extraordinary  zealous  to  propagate  their  sect  in  this 
Parish,  there  being  swarms  of  them  at  Long  Island  and  West- 
chester, from  whence  they  make  frequent  visits  hither,  and  hold 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  257 

their  yearly  meetings,  monthly,  quarterly  and  weekly  meetings, 
yea,  and  sometimes  daily.  The  letter  I  printed  to  a  parishioner 
which  I  enclosed  to  you  last  fall,  did  some  service  in  putting  a 
check  to  them,  but  they  have  very  lately  printed  and  dispersed 
what  they  call  an  answer  to  it,  which,  though  silly  enough, 
amuseth  some  people,  especially  after  themselves  have  mightily 
applauded  it ;  by  way  of  reply  to  which  I  have  prepared  three 
dialogues  which  I  have  now  ready  for  the  press,  and  have  com- 
municated them  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson  and  some  others,  who 
earnestly  advise  to  the  printing  of  them  and  think  they  will  be 
of  great  service  to  stop  the  growth  of  Quakerism  in.  these  parts, 
and  Mr.  Johnson  tells  me  he  will  give  twenty  or  thirty  shillings 
towards  it,  and  some  of  my  parishioners  have  subscribed  about 
forty  shillings  more,  but  the  whole  charge  will  be  about  £10, 
which  considering  the  circumstances  of  my  family,  is  something 
too  heavy  upon  me  ;  for  as  the  Quakers  disperse  their  books 
freely,  so  our  people  will  expect  it  from  me,  and  indeed  they 
have  never  been  used  to  buy  books,  for  besides  the  books  I  re- 
ceive from  the  Society,  I  have  myself  been  at  about  £5  charge 
towards  the  letters  I  have  dispersed  among  them  ;  for  which 
reason,  if  the  Honourable  Society  would  be  pleased  to  give  me 
some  small  assistance  in  this  matter,  it  shall  be  thankfully  ac- 
cepted and  employed  for  the  benefit  of  other  Parishes  as  well  as 
my  own,  and  I  ask  it  the  rather  because  1  don't  know  how  far  I 
shall  find  it  necessary  to  proceed,  having  thus  begun  with  them. 
I  shall  only  add  my  earnest  prayers  to  Almighty  God  to  suc- 
ceed all  the  charitable  designs  of  the  Honourable  Society  for  the 
extensive  good  of  mankind,  and  beg  leave  to  subscribe,  as  I  am 
in  great  sincerity, 

Reverend  Sir, 
Yours  and  the  Honourable  Society's 

most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

James   Wetmore."* 

At  the  close  of  1731,  he  acquaints  the  Society  "that  his  Parish 


*  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulhaio,  vol.  ii,  43.  45.    (Hawks' ) 

17 


258  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

is  in  a  flourishing  condition ;  that  last  year  he  baptized  one 
adult  person  and  twenty  children,  two  of  which  were  negroes  ; 
hath  some  new  communicants,  and  that  all  things  in  his  Parish, 
are  at  present  quiet  and  easy,  and  likely  to  remain  so." 

In  the  following  communication  to  his  Diocesan,  Mr.  Wet- 
more  refers  to  his  printed  dialogues  which  seem  to  have  ended 
the  controversy  with  the  Quakers,  and  also  to  the  great  want  of 
a  suffragan  bishop  : — 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  BISHOP  OF  LONDON. 

•     Rye,  Province  of  New- York,  April  3rd,  1732. 
My  Lord, 

"I  take  this  opportunity,  by  Mr.  Beach,  who  waits  upon  your 
Lordship  for  your  benediction  and  orders,  to  return  my  humble 
thanks  for  the  favour  of  your  letter  in  approbation  of  what  I  had 
undertaken  in  respect  of  the  Quakers.  I  now  send  by  Mr. 
Beach,  the  dialogue  I  printed  in  reply  to  the  Quaker's  answer 
to  my  letter,  in  which  I  should  have  spared  some  expressions,  if 
I  had  received  your  Lordship's  directions  before  they  were 
printed,  but  the  greatest  asperity  being  only  the  relating  of  such 
facts  as  are  open  and  notorious,  they  can  make  little  advantage 
of  it.  They  are  a  sort  of  people  that  take  greatest  advantage 
from  being  used  with  smoothness,  which  they  fancy  their  own 
merit  extorts.  They  did  not  expect  I  would  have  treated  them 
with  so  much  freedom  and  plainness,  but  I  am  well  assured  it 
has  done  good  ;  it  has  opened  the  eyes  and  awakened  the  con- 
sideration of  some  that  were  almost  drawn  over  to  them  upon 
account  of  their  being  thought  a  sober,  virtuous,  good  people, 
though  they  have  as  many  vitiary  people  in  their  herd  as 
among  any  sort  of  professors,  but  their  trick  is  to  call  such  only 
:  hangers  on,'  though  they  are  as  zealous  for  their  principles  as 
the  best  of  'em. 

It  is  now  9  months  since  the  dialogues  were  printed,  and 
though  at  first  they  gave  out  they  had  an  answer  ready,  yet  it 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  259 

does  not  appear,  and  of  late  not  a  syllable  is  heard  about  it,  they 
are  mighty  still  now,  and  rather  afraid  of  losing  their  own  peo- 
ple than  intent  upon  prostituting  ours. 

Mr.  Beach  will  be  able  to  acquaint  your  Lordship  how  fast 
the  principles  of  the  church  gain  ground  in  New  England, 
chiefly  among  the  teachers  in  Connecticut,  on  which  account 
we  might  hope  to  have  this  country  reclaimed  from  this  schism 
so  dishonourable  and  prejudicial  to  religion,  and  destructive  to  the 
souls  of  men,  if  some  method  could  be  projected  for  perfecting 
an  establishment  of  religion  here,  and  removing  the  difficulty 
which  is  indeed  great  and  burthensome,  of  going  1000  leagues 
over  sea,[through  many  perils,  for  ordination  ;  if  only  one  suffra- 
gan was  allowed  under  your  Lordship,  (the  two  or  three  would  do 
better  to  ordain  and  confirm,)  in  other  things  Commissaries  might 
answer,  it  would  give  a  new  tone  to  the  Church  among  us,  and 
I  believe  the  Country  would  generally  submit  to  an  Episcopal 
government,  in  a  little  time  if  there  was  provision,  that  laws  or 
canons  might  be  made  here  for  regulating  some  circumstantial 
things,  according  to  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  this  Country, 
I  mean  in  reference  to  the  calling  of  Ministers  and  their  main- 
tainance,  which  the  people  will  be  fond  of  having  their  voice  in, 
and  in  respect  of  which  they  are  afraid  of  imposition,  and  per- 
haps it  may  be  thought  not  necessary  to  insist  upon  a  perfect 
uniformity,  in  things  indifferent,  as  a  term  of  communion,  where 
unity  in  government,  and  all  essentials  can  be  gained,  for  which 
a  discretionary  power  in  your  Lordship,  or  your  suffragan,  to 
prescribe  for  this  country,  the  form  and  method  of  worship  at 
Croft,  wherein  it  may  be  thought  proper  to  bar  in  any  respect, 
from  the  established  English  Liturgy  would  be  sufficient. 

I  have  not  the  vanity  to  think  of  projecting  a  scheme  or  pre- 
scribing to  your  Lordship,  but  only  to  breathe  out  my  own  and 
others  wishes  and  desires  into  the  bosom  of  your  Lordship, 
as  the  Father  and  head  of  the  Church,  in  the  Plantations,  who 
has  expressed  a  zealous  and  fraternal  care  of  us,  and  whose 
wisdom  and  goodness  we  confide  in  with  pleasure,  to  project  for 


260  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

us,  and  still  further  bring  about  that  what  is  wanting,  may  be 
perfected  and  set  in  order.  I  am  with  all  dutiful  submission, 

My  Lord,  &c, 

James  Wetmore."1 

His  next  semi-annual  report  to  the  Secretary,  bears  date  the 
same  year. 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  Neio-  York,  June  6th,  1732. 

Rev.  Doctor, 
"  I  have  received  yours  of  Dec.  13th,  1731,  wherein  I  am  order- 
ed to  acquaint  the  people  of  North  Castle  with  the  sentiments 
of  the  Honourable  Society,  concerning  their  neglect  in  encour- 
aging Mr.  Dwight's  school,  which  letter  1  have  communicated 
to  Mr.  Dwight,  and  he  has  discoursed  the  people  upon  it,  and  I 
expect  to  go  among  them  in  a  fortnight,  and  then  1  shall  dis- 
course them  myself,  upon  the  affair.  Mr.  Dwight  tells  me  they  are 
very  unwilling  he  should  be  removed  from  them,  the  people  are 
indeed  very  poor  and  that  which  is  worse,  they  are  unhappily 
divided  one  against  another,  which  hinders  their  uniting  to  pro- 
mote their  common  interest ;  those  we  had  greatest  dependence 
upon,  to  encourage  learning  and  religion  among  them,  are  either 
dead  or  fallen  to  decay,  and  removed  out  of  the  place,  within 
two  years  ;  Mr.  Dwight  tells  me,  as  he  thinks  them  a  poor  unfor- 
tunate people,  deserving  compassion,  so  he  has  hopes,  their  af- 
fairs will  mend,  and  he  is  willing  to  make  some  further  trial,  if 
the  Honourable  Society  think  fit  to  allow  him,  being  urged  by 
some  new  comers  among  them,  and  after  some  trial  he  will  ac- 
quaint you  with  his  success.  Mr.  Cleator,  who  has  been  the 
Honourable  Society's  schoolmaster  in  Rye  for  many  years,  died 
about  the  latter  end  of  March.     The  people  have  desired  me  to 


*  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  54,  56.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  261 

present  their  hearty  thanks  to  the  Honourable  Society,  for  the 
benefit  they  have  had  by  Mr.  Cleator's  labours,  and  to  request 
in  their  behalf  the  continuance  of  the  Honourable  Society's  fa- 
vours, and  that  Samuel  Purdy,  Esq.,  may  be  appointed  to  suc- 
ceed Mr.  Cleator,  who  is  a  gentleman  very  well  respected  in  the 
town,  a  constant  communicant  in  the  Church,  a  man  of  good 
abilities  and  sober  exemplary  life,  and  conversation  ;  he  is  the 
foremost  Justice  of  the  Peace  in  the  Parish,  and  one  of  the  Quo- 
rum as  well  as  chaplain  of  the  militia,  but  these  being  pla- 
ces that  require,  rather  than  make  a  fortune,  he  has  private 
reasons  to  make  him  accept  a  mission  from  the  Honourable  So- 
ciety, and  the  greater  his  interests  in  the  people's  esteems  and 
affections,  by  the  honourable  character  he  sustains  ;  he  will  be 
under  the  greater  advantage  to  promote  religion  and  the  interests 
of  the  church  for  which  he  has  always  had  a  good  affection  and 
his  father  before  him,  who  was  one  of  the  chief  promoters  of  the 
Church,  in  the  time  of  Mr.  Muirson  and  Mr.  Bridge,  being  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  and  Representative  of  the  county  upon  the  As- 
sembly, for  many  years.  This  gentleman  is  well  qualified  to 
teach  and  instruct  children  in  the  principles  of  religion,  and 
such  learning  as  is  fit  for  the  country,  and  I  doubt  not  he  will 
be  very  faithful  and  industrious,  if  the  Honourable  Society  will 
be  pleased  to  employ  him.  Since  my  last  I  have  baptized  one 
adult  and  twenty  children,  of  which  two  are  negroes,  and  have  ad- 
mitted three  more  new  communicants,  and  buried  three  of  those 
that  were  formerly  communicants  ;  the  state  of  the  Church  con- 
tinues flourishing,  all  things  at  present  are  easy  and  quiet,  and  like- 
ly to  remain  so.  Our  trustees  are  repairing  the  windows  of  the 
church,  for  which  they  raised  £20  last  year  by  a  public  rate,  and 
we  are  contriving  to  build  a  steeple  to  the  Church,  for  which  we 
have  begun  subscriptions.  I  have  bought  a  bella  to  make  a  pre- 
sent of,  weighing  93  lb.,  that  for  the  bigness  sounds  well,  and  I 


■  The  first  notice  of  a  Bell  occurs  in  the  minutes  of  the  Vestry,  for  January 
lfith,  1732,  when  it  was  resolved  "  to  raise  £l  for  a  Bell  Ringer  and  sweeping  the 
Church." — See  Church  Records,  p.  57. 


2G2  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

have  subscribed  thirty  shillings  besides  to  the  people  ;  Mr.  Crea- 
tor has  also,  upon  his  death  bed,  given  half  his  last  years  salary 
to  this  use,  so  that  I  hope  we  shall  accomplish  it,  tho'  I  do  not 
find  the  people  so  ready  to  subscribe  as  I  expected  ;  a  zeal  for 
the  honour  and  decency  of  God's  house,  and  worship,  is  a  tem- 
per very  much  wanting  in  this  country,  I  pray  God  to  increase 
it  and  to  give  abundant  success  to  the  pains  and  charitable  de- 
signs and  endeavours  of  the  Honourab'e  Society,  &.c  , 

James  Wetmore."3- 

Mr.  Joseph  Cleator,  whose  death  is  alluded  to  in  the  above 
letter,  and  whose  appointment  has  been  already  noticed,  "la- 
boured faithfully  and  successfully  for  nearly  twenty-eight  years," 
in  his  useful  calling  as  schoolmaster  for  the  Society,  for  which 
he  received  the  very  moderate  compensation  of  £15  sterling, 
per  annum. 

In  the  following  report,  Mr.  Wetmore  again  recommends  Mr. 
Samuel  Purdy,  to  the  Society: — 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  Neio-  York,  Aug.  20th,  1733. 

Rev.  Sir, 
"  Last  summer  I  informed  the  Honourable  Society  of  the  death 
of  Mr.  Cleator,  their  schoolmaster  in  this  town,  and  the  request 
of  sundry  inhabitants,  that  Samuel  Purdy,  Esq.,  might  be  ap- 
pointed to  succeed  him  in  this  school  with  the  Honourable  Soci- 
ety's bounty,  but  having  had  no  answer  to  that  letter,  pre- 
sume to  intercede  in  behalf  of  the  poor  people  in  this  Parish,  to 
have  that  mission  continued,  without  which  many  children  will 
have  little  to  distinguish  them  in  their  education  from  the  wild 
heathen.     Mr.  Dwight,  at  North  Castle,  continues  very  diligent 

a  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  63,  64.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  263 

and  faithful  in  his  school,  and  very  well  esteemed  by  the  people 
there,  but  the  great  misfortunes  of  that  place  make  him  weary 
of  it;  more  than  half  the  people  that  first  encouraged  his  coming 
among  them,  and  were  very  zealous  for  the  church,  and  desi- 
rous of  preserving  some  appearance  of  religion  and  the  worship 
of  God  among  them,  in  that  new  place,  are  since  dead  or  remov- 
ed away,  and  those  left  are  so  poor  that  they  can  give  him  but 
little  encouragement.  His  sober  and  good  behaviour,  and  dili- 
gence in  his  calling,  renders  him  worthy  of  recommendation,  and 
the  great  extent  of  this  Parish,  the  number  of  children,  as  well  as 
slaves  that  live  so  remote,  that  they  never  appear  to  be  catechi- 
zed of  the  Church,  and  are  never  likely  to  have  any  catechetical 
instructions,  unless  some  further  endeavours  are  used,  than  can  be 
expected  from  one  minister,  in  so  large  a  Parish,  makes  me  presume 
to  add  this  further  request,  that  the  Honourable  Society,  if  they 
think  fit,  would  appoint  Mr.  Dwight,  Catechist  for  the  Parish  of 
Rye,  with  liberty  to  teach  school  in  such  parts  of  the  Parish  where 
he  shall  find  the  best  prospect  of  doing  service  in  his  catechetical 
office,  and  that  he  be  ordered  to  take  particular  pains  in  several 
parts  of  the  parish,  which  he  may  perform  by  appointing  several 
places  to  attend  that  work  by  turns,  and  I  shall  be  ready  to  assist 
all  that  lies  in  my  power,  to  render  such  a  method  successful. 

Our  most  forward  promoters  of  Independency,  have  of  late  dis- 
covered a  better  temper,  and  often  come  to  Church,  and  I  hope 
that  a  few  years  more  will  wholly  wear  that  spirit  out.  As  for  the 
Quakers,  there  is  little  to  be  done  with  them,  but  only  to  guard 
against  their  attempts,  and  I  think,  (by  God's  blessing)  they 
have  not  made  one  proselyte  here  for  two  years  past.  Since 
my  last,  I  have  baptized  one  adult,  twenty-four  children  in  this 
parish,  and  three  in  Greenwich  ;  I  have  had  but  one  new  com- 
municant, but  there  are  four  or  five  more  which  1  hope  will  re- 
ceive, next  Christmas. 

Rev.  Sir,  yours,  and  the  Honourable  Society's 

most  obedient  and  humble  servant, 

James  Wetmore."* 


■  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  G7.  G8.     (Hawks'.) 


2G4  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  Society  appears  to  have  acted  immediately  upon  the  re- 
commendation of  Mr.  Wetmore,  by  appointing  Mr.  Samuel  Pur- 
ely, schoolmaster  at  Rye,  with  a  salary  of  £15  sterling  per  an- 
num. 

Notwithstanding  his  arduous  duties  at  home,  it  seems  that 
Mr.  Wetmore,  like  his  predecessors,  occasionally  extended  his 
missionary  labors  into  Connecticut. 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  Jime2£th,  1734. 

Rev.  Sir, 
"My  Parish  continues  in  a  flourishing  state,  tho'  we  have 
many  yet  that  show  too  little  reverence  for  religion.  The 
Church  is  commonly  more  filled  this  summer  than  heretofore,  and 
since  my  last,  I  have  baptized  in  my  own  Parish,  twenty-seven 
children  and  two  adults,  in  Greenwich  in  Connecticut,  three  chil- 
dren, and  Norfolk,  in  Connecticut,  two  children  and  one  adult,  an 
Indian  slave,  and  I  have  admitted  eight  new  communicants,  all  of 
very  sober  conversation,  and  good  lives.  The  people  of  Connec- 
ticut begin  to  show  a  friendly  disposition  towards  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  Church  of  England,  which  disposition  seems  to  in- 
crease apace,  which  makes  more  and  more  want  of  a  Bishop  in 
the  country,  that  some  places  might  be  supplied  with  ministers, 
that  now  cannot,  without  burdening  the  Honourable  Society. 
Some  zealous  bigots  among  the  Independent  teachers  are  awa- 
kened to  make  fresh  attempts  to  amuse  and  enslave  the  peo- 
ple by  their  scurrillous  pamphlets,  which  they  spread  industri- 
ously, full  of  bold,  audacious  calumnies,  but  little  argument 
yet  would  be  of  mischievous  consequence,  if  we  did  not  anti- 
dote their  poison  by  printing  and  dispersing  such  books  as  ap- 
pear serviceable  to  this  end,  in  which  I  was  urged  last  summer 
to  give  some  assistance  by  printing  an  answer  to  a  pamphlet 
that  undertook  to  prove  the  necessity  of  separating  from  the 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  265 

Church  of  England,  and  the  divine  right  of  Presbyterian  ordi- 
nation and  government.  There  is  now  dispersing  in  this  coun- 
try a  defence  of  that  pamphlet,  stuffed  with  vile  aspersions  and 
unmannerly  reflections  upon  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  govern- 
ment of  the  nation,  done  by  two  or  three  hands,  one  of  which 
I  conclude  Mr.  Browne,  of  Providence,  will  reply  to,  and  the 
other,  Mr.  Johnson  and  I  must  prepare  an  antidote  for,  which  I 
hope  will  prove  to  as  good  acceptance  in  the  country  as  what  we 
printed  last  year,  and  have  the  same  good  effect,  which  has 
been  very  visible  in  promoting  the  interest  of  the  Church.  My 
prayers  and  endeavours  shall  always  be  zealous  to  promote  the 
great  and  charitable  designs  of  the  Honourable  Society  for  prop- 
agating the  gospel  of  Christ. 

I  am.  Rev.  Sir,  your  most  obedient,  humble  servant, 

James  WETMORE."a 

In  his  report  for  the  years  of  1735,  1738,  1739,  occur  the  fol- 
lowing memoranda: — 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  Neio-  York,  Dec.  5th,  1735. 

Rev.  Doctor, 

"It  is  no  less  my  inclination  than  duty  to  obey  the  Honoura- 
ble Society's  order  in  keeping  a  frequent  correspondence  with 
you,  although  to  transmit  an  account  exactly  according  to  the 
prescribed  method  in  this  Parish,  seems  impracticable ;  the 
bounds  of  the  parish  being  very  large,  and  the  people  so  often 
removing  to  and  from,  so  many  sectaries  of  so  various  denomi- 
nations, and  so  many  of  such  an  indifferent  temper,  that  scarce 
themselves  know  what  profession  they  are  of. 


New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii,  p.  71,  75.    (Hawks'.) 


206  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

I  continue  my  method  of  preaching  alternately  at  several 
parts  of  the  parish,  viz:  three  Sundays  in  the  Church  of  Rye; 
then  one  at  North  Castle  ;  then  three  again  at  Rye ;  then  one 
at  White  Plains;  besides,  the  first  Wednesday  in  each  month 
I  preach  at  Bedford,  about  eighteen  miles  from  Rye,  within  my 
parish,  and  upon  the  request  of  some  that  profess  themselves  of 
the  Church  of  England,  I  have  preached  several  times  at  Nor" 
walk,  Stamford,  Greenwich,  and  Horse  neck,  the  western  towns 
in  Connecticut  colony,  in  which  places  I  have  baptized  several 
adult  persons  and  near  twenty  children  the  year  past,  and  ad- 
mitted five  to  the  Holy  Communion.  They  are  very  desirous 
in  those  towns,  to  be  supplied  with  an  Episcopal  minister,  but 
because  we  have  little  grounds  to  give  them  encouragement  to 
hope  for  such  a  supply  at  present,  I  have  promised  to  preach  at 
Stamford,  which  is  near  the  centre  of  those  towns,  the  third 
Wednesday  of  every  month,  and  find  a  very  considerable  con- 
gregation of  very  serious,  well  disposed  people,  and  the  inclina- 
tion of  others  towards  the  established  Church,  seems  daily  in- 
creasing in  those  parts  as  well  as  several  other  parts  of  New 
England. 

In  my  own  parish,  although  a  contest  among  the  inhabitants 
concerning  their  lands,  has  occasioned  some  difficulty  to  keep 
them  united  in  religion,  and  a  few  rash  and  heady  persons  have 
grown  to  neglect  the  Church  upon  that  account,  yet  by  the  acces- 
sion of  others,  the  Church  is  generally  as  full  as  ever  it  has 
been,  and  a  party  spirit  among  the  sectaries  decreaseth  very  ev- 
idently. I  have  baptized  the  year  past,  five  adults,  two  of 
which  were  negroes. 

Mr.  Dwight's  catechumens,  and  several  others,  are  desirous 
of  baptism,  which  I  have  promised  to  administer  to  them  as 
soon  as  Mr.  Dwight  has  prepared  them  by  necessary  instruc- 
tions. They  belong  to  Quaker  masters,  but  yet  got  leave  to  come 
pretty  often  to  Church,  where  Mr.  Dwight  catechises  them  with 
such  chidren  as  offer  themselves  after  evening  service,  and  keeps 
a  school  at  the  White  Plains  to  the  people's  good  satisfaction, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  267 

and  Mr.  Purely  is  in  his  school  at  Rye  ;  is  very  diligent  and  ac- 
ceptable to  the  people."a 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  July  1st,  173S. 
Rev.  Sir  : 

"  There  are,  besides  the  numbers  contained  in  the  enclosed 
Notitia  Parochialis,  about  fifty  families  near  adjoining  to  this 
Parish,  in  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  who  have  requested  me  to 
officiate  among  them  as  often  as  I  can  be  spared  from  my  own 
Parish,  among  whom  I  preach  a  lecture  the  third  Wednesday  in 
each  month;  visit  them  in  sickness,  baptize  their  children,  and 
once  in  a  year,  administer  the  Lord's  Supper  among  them  : 
many  of  them  live  so  near  as  to  attend  church  at  Rye  pretty 
constantly.  These  people  are  much  oppressed  by  the  Dissent- 
ers among  whom  they  live,  which  in  some  degree  prevents  the 
increase  of  their  numbers,  and  when  we  have  applied  to  all 
their  courts  for  a  just  relief,  according  to  their  own  law,  we 
have  been  baffled  under  one  trifling  pretence  or  another,  even 
where  the  law  appears  most  plain  in  our  favour,  and  unless  some 
powerful  protection  can  be  obtained  from  home  for  the  profes- 
sors of  the  Church  of  England,  in  their  just  and  natural  rights, 
that  colony  will  find  so  many  pretences  to  oppress  them,  as  will 
put  the  Church  of  England  under  the  greatest  discountenance. 

Some  particulars  of  this  nature,  will,  I  believe,  soon  be  rep- 
resented by  the  clergy. "b 

To  this  account  may  be  added  the  following,  from  the  Socie- 
ty's Abstracts  : — 

Mr.    Wetmore  acquaints  the  Society,  by  a  letter  of  July  1st, 


»  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulliam,  vol.  ii.  p.  00,  92.     (Hawks'.) 
b  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  117, 118.     (Hawks'.) 


268  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

1730,  "  that  his  congregation  holds  well  together,  and  his  church 
is  full  and  flourishing  ;  and  he  had  baptized  within  the  last 
half  year,  five  adults,  besides  children.  Mr.  Wetmore  hath 
likewise  transmitted  certificates  of  the  behaviour  of  the  two 
schoolmasters  of  the  Society,  in  his  Parishes,  attested  likewise 
by  the  churchwardens,  and  other  inhabitants,  by  which  it  ap- 
pears, that  they  both  give  daily  attendance  in  their  schools  ; 
and  Mr.  Purdy,  the  schoolmaster  in  the  town  of  Rye,  teaches 
twenty-one  children,  whose  parents  profess  themselves  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  fourteen  children  of  Dissenting  pa- 
rents, as  likewise  three  Dutch,  two  Jewish,  and  one  negro  child, 
in  all,  forty-one,  and  that  Mr.  Dwight,  the  schoolmaster,  at  the 
White  Plains,  six  miles  from  Rye,  teaches  twenty-seven  child- 
ren, whose  parents  profess  themselves  to  be  of  the  Church  of 
England,  seventeen  born  of  Dissenting  parents,  and  two  negro 
children,  in  all.  forty-six.  The  Society  hath  sent  Mr.  Wetmore 
two  dozen  of  small  Common  Prayer  books  for  the  poor."a 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  August  5th,  1739. 

Rev.  Sir.. 

"  The  two  last  times  I  preached  at  the  White  Plains,  where 
Mr.  Dwight  teaches  school,  it  was  judged  the  congregation  con- 
sisted of  at  least  three  hundred  people,  where,  not  having  any 
house  large  enough  to  receive  the  people,  I  am  obliged  to  preach 
in  the  open  fields  ;  and  if  the  congregation  at  Rye  increases  as 
it  has  done  the  year  past,  we  must  be  forced  to  enlarge  the  Par- 
ish church."b 

Mr.  Wetmore,  by  a  letter,  dated  July  15th,  1740,  writes  : — 
"  that  besides  his  regular  duty  at  Rye,  he  officiates  once  a  month 


*  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc. 

b  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  107.    (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  269 

at  Stamford  and  at  Greenwich  in  Connecticut,  and  lately  bap- 
tized at  Greenwich,  a  very  sober  man,  his  wife,  and  all  the  fam- 
ily, except  one  negro  woman,  whom  he  reserved  for  further  in- 
struction ;  he  had  been  a  long  time  instructing  this  family,  who 
had  been  tainted  with  Quakerism  and  Anabaptism."  Mr.  Wet- 
more  spent  some  days  last  winter,  in  visiting  sundry  families 
in  the  woods,  and  a  great  number  of  people  assembled  to  whom 
he  read  divine  service,  and  preached,  and  baptized  one  adult, 
and  eight  children  ;  and  they  were  very  thankful,  and  pressed 
him  much  to  visit  them  again,  which  he  proposed  to  do  in  a 
short  time.  According  to  Mr.  Wetmore's  Notitia  Parochial  is, 
his  number  of  communicants  is  fifty,  and  he  had  baptized  from 
the  3d  day  of  May,  1739,  one  hundred  and  eleven  children,  of 
Avhom,  five,  were  negroes,  and  seven  adults,  of  whom  one  was  a 
negro  ;  and  he  returns  thanks  for  some  Common  Prayer  books 
lately  sent  him."a 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  Sept.  2Sth,  1741. 
Rev.  Sir, 

"  The  efforts  of  the  sectaries  in  this  parish,  have  been  various 
the  year  past,  and  their  endeavours  indefatigable,  to  weaken  and 
destroy  our  church,  and  they  have  been  much  encouraged  by 
the  countenance  of  some  that  were  formerly  professors  of  the 
Church  of  England,  but  for  several  years  past,  have  proved  the 
worst  enemies  to  it.  However,  by  God's  help,  we  hitherto 
maintain  our  ground,  and  tho'  some  few  of  our  number  are  cor- 
rupted with  the  wild  enthusiasm  of  the  new  sect,  which  has  in- 
fected the  greater  part  of  the  Independents,  yet  in  all  the  parts 
of  the  parish,  where  I  preach  alternately,  the  congregations  seem 
to  be  as  large  as  ever  they  have  been,  and  I  hope  the  measures 
I  use  to  establish  and  strengthen  my  people  in  the  faith  of  Chris- 
tianity, according  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Church  of  England, 

•Printed  Abstracts  of  the  Ven.  Prop.  Soc,  from  1710  to  1741. 


.270  HISTORY  OF  THE  PAEISH 

will,  by  God's  blessing,  prevent  (his  new  Methodism,  or  rather, 
downright  distraction,  in  the  shape  it  now  appears  among  the 
itinerant  sectaries,  •  from  gaining  much  ground  among  us.  I 
shall  only  enclose  the  Notitia  Parochiaiis,  and  beg  leave  to  pre- 
sent my  humble  duty  to  the  Venerable  Hoard,  and  subscribe, 
Rev.  Sir,  your  most  obedient, 

humble  servant, 

James  Wetmore."* 

According  to  Mr.  Wetmore's  Notitia  Parochiaiis,  (for  1711.) 
he  had  baptized  within  twelve  months,  sixty-nine  children,  four 
of  whom  were  negroes;  and  four  adults,  one  of  whom  was  a 
negro. 

In  the  two  following  extracts  from  reports  of  Mr.  Wetmore, 
some  further  allusions  are  made  to  the  "  new  Methodists,  or 
right  down  distraction  ists,"  who  were  probably  associated  with 
Mr.  Whitefield  in  his  labours  : — 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  March  25th,  1743. 

Rev.  Sir, 

<:  The  boundaries  of  my  parish  being  very  large.  I  preach  al- 
ternately at  five  different  places,  yet  so  as  to  be  three  Sundays 
or  four,  to  be  at  the  parish  church  in  Rye.  I  have  considerable 
large  congregations  in  all  the  out  places  where  I  preach,  but 
the}'  mostly  consist  of  people  unsettled  in  their  principles,  and 
who  go  after  all  sorts  of  teachers  that  come  in  their  way,  and 
many  of  them  much  confused  by  the  straggling  methodist 
teachers  that  are  continually  about  among  us. 

Some  few  families  that  professed  themselves  of  the  Church  of 
England,  living  very  remote  from  the  church,  have  been   car- 

■  Now- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  FoJham,  vol.  ii.  V21.  105.      (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE  2711 

ried  away  with  their  zealous  pretences  ;  and  as  the  Dissenting 
faction  have  now  got  one  of  that  sort  ordained  among  them,  re- 
siding not  far  from  me,  it  gives  me  a  great  deal  of  trouble  and 
uneasiness.  Some  that  used  to  frequent  the  church,  and  had  al- 
most worn  off  their  prejudices  against  it,  now  follow  those  meet- 
ings, and  are  wheedled  after  them  by  continued  visits  and  fair 
pretences,  but  we  have  some  again  made  more  zealous  in  attend, 
ing  the  Church,  and  I  hope  are  more  settled  in  their  principles."* 

MR.  WETMORB  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Province  of  New-  York,  Rye.  Sept.  29th,  1 743. 

Rev.  Sir, 
"As  to  the  state  of  my  Parish,  nothing  very  remarkable  has 
happened  since  my  last,  but  I  find  my  care  and  labours  in. 
creased,  by  having  two  Independent  Methodist  teachers  settled 
by  that  party  rin  my  Parish,  besides  exhorters  and  itinerants 
that  frequently  call  people  together  to  instill  wild  and  enthu- 
siastic notions  into  them.  They  have  made  much  confusion  in 
the  remote  parts  of  the  Parish,  but  chiefly  among  those  who  al- 
ways were  Dissenters;  and  when  my  turn  is  to  preach  in  those 
places,  I  find  my  congregations  are  larger  than  before  those  tu- 
mults, and  many  apply  to  me  for  instruction,  and  to  have  the 
doctrines  of  Christianity  explained  to  them,  which  I  endeavour, 
in  the  most  plain  and  intelligible  manner  I  can,  according  to  the 
articles,  catechism,  and  offices  of  our  Liturgy.  And  although 
the  teacher  that  holds  his  meeting  near  the  parish  church,  is 
much  cried  up  by  his  party,  and  indeed  is  unwearied  in  his  at- 
tempts to  amuse  the  people  with  fair  speeches,  and  prejudice 
them  against  the  Church  in  his  private  visits  from  house  to 
house,  yet  some  of  his  first  proselytes  have  returned  to  the 
church  already,  and  I  don't  know  of  one  he  has  gained  for 

*  New- York  MSS.,  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vo'.  ii.  p.  148.    (Hawks.) 


272  .  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

six  months  past,  and  our  church  was  never  so  full  as  this  sum- 
mer, insomuch  that  we  mid  a  necessity  of  enlarging  it,  which  I 
hope  with  the  next  spring  I  will  prevail  with  my  people  to  ef- 
fect. I  was  last  week  at  Middletown,  on  Connecticut  River, 
eighty  miles  from  this  place,  which,  being  the  place  of  my  na- 
tivity, I  visit  annually,  and  keep  one  Sunday  among  them, 
where  I  find  a  disposition  to  the  Church  grows  very  much,  and 
there  are  near  forty  families  that  would  rejoice  to  have  a  min- 
ister of  the  Church  of  England  among  them."a 

One  of  the  "  wild  and  enthusiastic  notions"  of  the  new  Me- 
thodists referred  to  in  the  above  letter,  related  to  the  doctrine  of 
Regeneration,  as  appears  from  the  following  : — 

REV.  MR.  COLGAN  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Jamaica.  L.  I.,  Nov.  22nd,  1740. 

Rev.  Sir, 

"  Some  enthusiastic  itinerant  teachers  have  of  late  been  preach- 
ing upon  this  island.  The  notorious  Mr.  Whitefield  being  at  the 
head  of  them,  and  among  other  pernicious  tenets  have  broached 
such  false  and  erroneous  opinions  concerning  the  doctrine  of  Re- 
generation as  tend  to  the  destruction  of  true  religion  and  of  a 
holy  and  virtuous  life ;  and  therefore,  I  take  this  opportunity  to 
beg  that  the  Society  would  be  pleased  to  bestow  upon  the  peo- 
ple of  this  Parish  a  few  of  Dr.  Waterland's  pieces  on  that  sub- 
ject, and  of  his  Lordship,  the  Bishop  of  London's  Pastoral  Letters 
upon  Lukewarmness  and  Enthusiasm.13  The  agitation  of  these 
erroneous  views,  led  to  a  thorough  examination  of  the  doctrine 


*  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  pp.  149, 150.     (Hawks'.) 
b  New-York,  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham.  (Hawks'.)   In  1743,  Mr.  Colgan 
asks  for  "  some  small  tracts,  such  as  the   Trial  of  Mr.  Whitefield's  Spirit;  An 
Englishman  Directed  in  the  Choice  of  his  Religion;  Bishop  Stillingfleets  Unrea- 
sonableness of  Separation." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  273 

of  Regeneration  by  Dickinson,  on  the  Presbyterian,  and  Wet- 
more,  on  the  Episcopal  side. 

In  1743,  Mr.  Dickinson  published  a  work  "  on  the  Nature  and 
Necessity  of  Regeneration,  with  remarks  on  "Dr.  Waterland's 
Discourse  on  Regeneration."  To  which  the  Rev.  James  Wet- 
more  replied  by  "A  Defence  of  Waterland's  Discourse  on  Re- 
generation." 

At  this  period,  Mr.  Wetmore  writes  to  the  Society,  "  That  he 
is  fully  occupied  in  performing  duty  at  Rye,  Scarsdale,  and  the 
White  Plains,  and  calls  for  an  assistant  under  him  at  Bedford 
and  North  Castle,  where  are  four  hundred  families,  the  inhabi- 
tants promising  £30  to  his  assistance."  In  the  following  letter 
Mr.  Wetmore  speaks  of  Mr.  Lamson  who  was  subsequently  ap- 
pointed to  fill  the  office  :  — 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 
Province  of  New -York,  Rye,  Dec.  IWi,  1744.. 
Rev.  Sir, 

"  Mr.  Lamson  took  a  passage  from  Boston  sometime  in  June 
last,  and  there  being  no  account  of  his  arrival  in  England,  it  is 
feared  he  is  taken  by  a  Spanish  privateer  and  carried  into  some 
port  in  Spain.  If  that  should  prove  to  be  his  hard  fortune,  I 
hope,  by  the  favour  of  Divine  Providence,  he  may  find  some  way 
for  redemption  and  get  to  London. 

In  Ridgefield  not  being  able  to  do  so  much  for  the  support  of 
a  minister,  as  to  encourage  them  to  hope  for  obtaining  one  to 
themselves  alone,  have  proposed  joining  with  the  northern  parts 
of  my  Parish  so  as  to  have  a  minister  perform  divine  service 
alternately  at  Ridgefield,  Bedford  and  North  Castle,  and  many 
of  my  Parishioners  in  these  towns  seem  very  forward  to  have  it 
effected,  as  they  live  so  remote  from  the  Parish  Church  at  Rye, 
that  they   seldom  or  ever  go  to  church  except   once  in    two 

18 


274  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

months,  which  is  the  proportion  1  have  observed  for  officia- 
ting in  these  parts,  having  a  considerable  congregation  at  the 
White  Plains  and  Scarsdale,  about  seven  miles  west  of  the 
Parish  Church,  which  I  also  attend  once  in  two  months. 

In  the  northern  parts,  Bedford  and  North  Castle,  were  near 
four  hundred  families,  mostly    very    poor    people  ;    many  un- 
baptized  and  such  as  have  very  little  sense  of  religion. 
Reverend  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 

and  humble  servant, 

J.  Wetmore."* 

The  Society's  Abstracts  for  1745,  say: — "  Mr.  Wetmore,  the 
Society's  missionary  to  the  Parish  of  Rye,  in  this  Province,  ac- 
quaints the  Society  that  he  is  so  fully  employed  in  perform- 
ing the  duties  of  his  holy  function  at  Rye,  Scarsdale  and  the 
White  Plains,  that  he  cannot  attend  the  distant  parts  of  his 
parish  so  often  as  he  could  wish,  and  therefore,  he  humbly 
prays  the  Society,  instead  of  appointing  a  successor  to  the  late 
Mr.  D wight,  the  Society's  schoolmaster  at  the  White  Plains, 
they  would  grant  him  an  assistant  minister  to  officiate  under 
him  ;  and  the  good  people  of  Bedford  and  North  Castle,  in  which 
are  four  hundred  families  that  stand  much  in  want  and  are 
very  desirous  of  instruction  in  the  true  sound  principles  of 
Christianity,  and  to  those  of  Riclgefield,  adjoining  to  them, 
where  a  church  is  already  built ;  and  the  inhabitants  of  those 
towns  earnestly  petitioning  the  Society  to  the  same  purpose, 
and  promising  £30  per  annum  towards  the  expence,  the  So- 
ciety hath  granted  this  request  and  appointed  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Lamson,  lately  arrived  from  New  England,  with  very  ample 
testimonials  from  the  clergy  of  that  province,  to  be  upon  his 
admission  into  holy  orders,  assistant  minister  to  Mr.  Wetmore, 
in  officiating   to  the  inhabitants  of  Bedford,  North  Castle,  and 


■  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii,  p  134.  \(Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OP  RYE.  275 

Ridgefield,  with  a  salary  of  £20  per  annum  ;  besides  a  gratuity 
of  the  same  sum  out  of  compassion  to  Mr.  Lamson's  sufferings 
and  necessities,  who  was  taken  prisoner,  stripped,  and  carried, 
into  France,  on  his  voyage  towards  England,  and  afterwards 
in  his  way  from  Port  Louis,  in  France,  to  London,  was  de- 
tained four  months  by  a  fever,  at  Salisbury,  where  he  lost 
by  that  distemper,  his  companion  and  fellow  sufferer,  Mr. 
Minor,  another  worthy  candidate  for  the  Society's  favour;  and 
the  Society  hath  lately  had  the  satisfaction  to  be  informed 
that  Mr.  Lamson  arrived  safe  sometime  since  at  Nenr-York, 
and  went  from  thence  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  his  mis- 
sion.'4 

Under  date  of  March  25th,  1745,  Mr.  Wetmore  writes  to  the 
Secretary  as  follows  : — 

Rev.  Sir, 

"Our  several  churches  in  this  colony  continue  in  peace,  and  a 
very  good  harmony  among  the  clergy  in  general,  which  good 
agreement  and  comely  order  in  a  time  of  so  great  confusion 
and  disorder  among  all  our  sectaries,  gains  the  Church  of 
England  much  honour  and  reputation  in  the  country  and  brings 
many  proselites  to  it.  I  have  had  several  from  the  wild  Metho- 
dists themselves,  whose  zeal  and  madness  very  much  abates 
through  the  country. 

I  am,  Reverend  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient 

humble  servant, 

James  Wetmore."1* 

The   following   extract   shows  that   the   flames   kindled   in 


1  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Society. 

fc  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  155.  (Hawks'.) 
This  year  Colonel  Robinson,  one  of  the  wardens  of  Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.,  was 
ordered  by  the  Vestry  of  that  church  to  deliver  to  Mr.  Peter  Jay,  the  old  com- 
munion cloth,  pulpit  cloth  and  desk  cloth,  for  the  use  of  the  Church  at  Rye,  in 
Westchester  County. 


l/ 


276  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

1722,  by  Johnson,  Cutler,  Wet  more  and  others,  were  spreading 
rapidly,  and  adding  fresh  numbers  and  strength  to  Episco- 
pacy : — 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 
Province  of  New  -  York,  Rye,  Oct.  3,  1745. 

Rev.  Sir, 

"  I  was  three  weeks  ago  at  Middletown,  in  Connecticut,  the 
place  of  my  nativity,  which  I  have  been  used  to  visit  annually 
while  my  father  lived  there,  and  have  not  only  frequently 
preached  among  them  and  baptized  many  children  and  some 
adults,  but  taken  pains  in  conversation  with  my  relations  and  ac- 
quaintances to  give  them  justnotionsof  religionand  beget  inthem 
a  liking  to  the  Church  of  England,  and  I  am  rejoiced  to  see  very 
hopeful  prospect  of  a  good  church  gathering  in  that  place,  chiefly 
promoted  by  some  brethren  of  mine;  and  it  was  a  pleasure  to  me 
to  observe  at  the  Commencement ,  in  New  Haven,  (at  which  I 
was  present  in  my  way  to  Middletown,  with  Dr.  Johnson  and 
several  others  of  our  clergy)  no  'ess  than  five  of  the  Batchelors 
graduated  this  year,  openly  professing  the  Church  of  England, 
and  was  told  some  others  of  them  had  a  good  disposition  to- 
waids  it,  by  whom  we  were  treated  very  respectfully;  and 
if  we  may  imagine  the  questions  defended  in  publick  dispu- 
tation as  the  prevailing  sentiments  of  the  country,  we  may 
see  a  great  change  in  that  colony  for  the  better  in  a  very  few 
years — by  the  following  questions,  which  indeed  I  was  sur- 
prised to  hear  defended  by  those  whose  fathers  have  held,  and 
acted  upon  their  reverse,  in  their  separation  from  the  Church  of 
England.     The  questions  publickly  disputed  were  : — 

1st.  The  Potestus  legislative  sit  unicumque  societati  Essentialis  affirmat  re- 
spondens. 

2nd.  Aures  in  se  indiffiantes  sunt  proprie  humonie  potestalis  objectum  respon- 
dens  affirmat. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  277 

3rd.  An  conscientia  dictenniiia,  conferent  jen  agendi  vel  cogitandi  contra  veri- 
tatem  nuget  respondens. 

Reverend  Sir,  yours,  &c,  &c, 

James  Wf.tmore."* 

The  two  following  are  Mr.  Wetmore's  semi-annual  reports 
for  1748:— 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  March  26th,  1748. 

Rev.  Sir, 

"Since  my  last,  dated  December  28th,  1747,  nothing  remarka- 
ble relating  to  the  state  of  religion  has  happened  among  us, 
except  the  deaths  of  sundry  persons  that  have  been  esteemed 
principal  inhabitants  in  the  Parish,  and  some  new  attempts  of 
the  enemies  of  the  Church  to  promote  divisions  in  the  Parish, 
in  hopes  of  making  some  advantages  to  themselves  by  su,ih 
contentions,  in  which  I  hope  they  will  meet  with  a  disap- 
pointment. That  by  this  means  they  have  hindered  us  from 
repairing  our  Church  and  adding  galleries  and  steeple  to  it  as 
we  projected,  at  least,  we  are  obliged  to  defer  it  because  some  of 
the  most  wealthy  of  the  professors  of  our  Church  have,  to  gain 
an  ascendancy  in  the  Parish,  so  far  sided  with  the  Independents, 
that  they  will  do  nothing  which  the  others  will  dislike.  All 
endeavours  can't  excite  a  proper  zeal  in  the  professors  of  the 
Church  of  England  among  us  to  come  to  the  Lord's  Supper 
so  that  the   number  of  actual  communicants  continues  small, 


*  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Pulham,  vol.  ii.,  p.  155.  (Hawks'.) 
The  Society's  Abstracts  fee"  1745,  say : — "and  Mr.  William  Sturgeon,  a  Batchelor  of 
Arts  ot  that  college,  (Yale)  who  teaches  a  school  within  the  precincts  of  the 
Parish  of  Rye,  though  the  son  of  a  Presbyterian  teacher,  who  lived  lately  among 
them  he  desired  Mr.  Wetmore  to  recommend  him  to  the  Society  as  a  candidate 
for  employment  in  the  Church,  which  he  attends  steadily,  and  is  esteemed  very 
worthy  of  favour,  and  as  such  he  is  entered  upon  the  books  of  the  Society." — Print- 
ed Abstracts  for  1745. 


278  HISTORY  OF  THE  PAEISH 

4 

in  proportion  to  the  number  of  professors,  and  deaths,  and  re- 
movals, seem  to  equal  our  accessions  ;  but  I  have  lately  been 
using  such  endeavours  with  many,  whose  conversation  in  other 
respects,  appears  sober  and  christianlike,  and  have  hopes  of  four 
or  five  new  communicants  at  Easter. 

I  lately  preached  a  lecture  at  Mamaroneck,  the  westermost 
part  of  my  Parish,  where  many  more  attended  than  I  had  ex- 
pectation of,  upon  which  I  have  promised  to  visit  them  again 
and  continue  to  give  them  frequent  lectures  as  long  as  their 
zeal  will  continue  to  attend  them  ;  I  have  also  undertaken  to 
preach  a  monthly  lecture  at  North  Castle,  besides  their  usual 
turn  upon  Sundays,  and  this  I  shall  continue  as  long  as  I  find  a 
good  disposition  in  this  people  to  attend  such  lectures. 

James  Wetmore."3- 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  Sept.  29th,  1748. 

Rev.  Sir, 

"In  compliance  with  the  commands  of  the  Honourable  Society, 
to  which  I  would  always  pay  dutiful  and  strict  obedience,  1  give 
you  this  trouble,  with  my  Notitia  Parochialis  enclosed,  and  ac- 
quaint you  that  I  have  drawn  upon  the  treasurer  a  sett  of  bills, 
bearing  date  this  day,  for  £25  sterling,  payable  at  thirty  days 
sight  in  favour  of  Mr.  Samuel  Farmer,  merchant.  Since  Mr. 
Lamson  has  removed  from  this  Parish  and  Mr.  Chandler  decli- 
ned accepting  the  catechetical  mission  at  North  Castle  and  Bed- 
ford, I  do  the  duty  at  these  places  as  formerly  ;  and  although 
I  find  large  congregations  when  I  preach  among  them,  yet  I 
don't  find  that  forwardness  I  could  wish,  to  exert  themselves  in 
building  churches  and  providing  for  the  support  of  a  minister  or 
catechist;  and  it  is  a  trouble  to  me  that  the  same  negligent 
temper  prevails  in  other  parts  of  my  Parish.     Our  church,  the 

»  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii..  pp.  196,  197.  (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OP1   RYE.  2"9 

only  one  in  the  Parish,  is  much  out  of  repair,  which,  after  seve- 
ral year's  endeavouring  to  bring  my  people  to  a  scheme  to  make 
decent  and  ornamental,  I  am  yet  unable  to  effect,  obstructed  by 
the  difficult  humours  of  some  professing  themselves  of  the 
Chinch,  chiefs  of  the  Parish  for  estates,  from  whom  I  have  had 
my  greatest  troubles  since  I  have  had  the  care  of  this  Parish. 
To  whom,  also,  1  esteem  it  owing  that  the  dissenters  aie  now 
endeavouring  to  get  into  their  possession  the  small  glebe  be- 
longing to  our  Church,  which  is  scarcely  worth  the  charge  of  a 
law  suit ;  yet  I  have  commenced  a  suit  to  defend  it,  which  I 
believe,  the  wealthiest  of  my  parishioners  will  not  assist  me  with 
a  farthing  to  support. 

I  have  enlarged  and  repaired  the  parsonage  house  some 
years  ago,  at  my  own  charge,  solely,  and  it  is  now  grown  so 
old  and  decayed,  that  it  is  scarce  worth  repairing.  As  I  find  it 
agreeable  to  the  sentiments  of  the  Honourable  Society,  that  the 
people  to  whom  they  send  missionaries,  should  provide  a  house 
and  glebe  for  their  minister,  I  believe  a  line  or  two  from  you  up- 
on tins  subject,  directed  to  the  church  wardens,  would  be  of  more 
eff.-ct  than  many  words  of  mine,  which  I  therefore  request  the 
favourof;  and  as  I  have  not  been  troublesome  by  begging  books 
from  the  Society  for  many  years,  and  Prayer  Books  and  Cate- 
chisms are  grown  very  scarce  in  my  Parish,  and  poor  people 
frequently  applying  to  me  to  be  supplied,  a  small  present  of  that 
kind  would  be  thankfully  received  by  me  and  the  poor  people 
that  are  destitute.  I  only  add  further,  my  humble  duty  to  the 
Venerable  Board,  and  hearty  prayers  to  Almighty  God  to  bless 
all  their  pious  and  charitable  designs,  and  am,  with  much  sub- 
mission, 

Rev.  Sir, 

your  most  obedient  and  most 
humble  servant, 

James  Wetmore."1 


■  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fuiham,  vol.  ii.  p.  202.    (Hawks'.) 


280  HISTORY   OF  THE   PARISH 

The  Society  it  seems,  complied  with  Mr.  Wetmore's  sugges- 
tion, for,  at  a  Vestry  meeting  of  this  Parish,  held  at  Mr.  Benja- 
min Brown's,  Sen.,  in  Rye,  January  16th,  1749,  the  Rev.  James 
Wetmore  delivered  the  following  letter  from  the  Rev.  Philip 
Bearcroft,  D.  D.,  Secretary  to  the  Venerable  Propagation  So- 
ciety : — 

London,  Charter  House,  June  27th,  1749. 

Gentlemen, 
"  It  is  with  much  concern  that  the  Society  for  the  Propaga- 
tion of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts  are  informed,  that  your 
church  and  parsonage  house  are  very  much  out  of  repair,  and 
that  even  the  possession  of  the  glebe  is  disputed  against  your 
very  worthy  pastor,  Mr.  Wetmore,  whose  great  pains  and  abili- 
ties in  the  cause  of  God's  Church,  cannot  but  recommend  him 
to  every  worthy  member  of  it  ;  therefore,  the  Society  hope  and 
expect,  that  upon  due  consideration,  you  will  give  orders  for  the 
full  repair  of  the  church  and  the  parsonage  house,  and  defend  Mr. 
Wetmore  in  the  maintenance  of  all  his  just  rights,  as  you  desire 
his  longer  continuance  among  you. 
1  am,  gentlemen, 

your  very  humble  servant, 

Philip  Bearcroft,  Secretary. 
To  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestry 

of  the  Church  of  Rye,  New-  York."3- 

In  a  letter  dated  Rye,  October  the  5th,  1749,  Mr.  Wetmore 
writes  to  the  Secretary  as  follows  : — 

Rev.  Sir. 
"  I  use  my  utmost  endeavours  to  answer  the  design  of  my  mis- 
sion, and  find  that  the  several  congregations  where  I  officiate  by 
turns,  something  increasing,  and  not  at  all  lessened  by  the  ef- 
forts of  our  adversaries,  and  that  the  tryal  with  the  Dissenters, 

»  Church  Rec.  of  Rye,  115. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  281 

concerning  the  parsonage  lot,  is  to  be  the  24th  of  this  month, 
according  to  notice  of  tryal  given.  The  lot  is  of  no  great  valne} 
be;ng  but  seven  and  a  half  acres,  yet  I  have  thought  it  my  duty 
not  to  give  it  up  without  tryal,  allho'  I  am  threatened  by  the 
same  persons,  to  have  an  ejectment  served  upon  me  for  the  poor 
house,  and  two  acres  of  land  upon  which  I  live,  unless  I  will 
agree  to  some  terms  whereby  the  Presbyterians  may  have  a 
share  of  what  was  anciently  designed  for  a  parsonage;  but  as 
there  is  no  more  than  two  small  lots,  (which  have  been  long  in 
the  possession  of  the  Church)  I  think  to  show  no  concession 
unless  obliged  to  it."a 

That  the  Society's  letter  of  June  27th,  1749,  produced  the  de- 
sired effect,  appears  from  the  following: — 1751,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Wetmore,  the  Society's  missionary  at  Rye,  in  this  Province, 
writes,  that  "their  Church  had  been  lately  improved,  and  is 
made  neat  and  beautiful,  and  n  >t  only  things,  but  pei sons  are 
amended  ;  several  who  were  formerly  very  negligent  in  their 
attendance  on  the  Church,  and  very  remiss  in  religion,  being  re- 
formed in  those  particulars." 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  letter  of  Mr.  Samuel  Purdy, 
the  Society's  schoolmaster  at  Rye  : — 

MR.  PURDY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  December-  20th,  1749. 

Rev.  Sir, 
"  I  have  for  several  years  maintained  in  my  house,  a  very 
capible  master,  well  qualified,  and  employed  wholly  to  tend 
th«  school ;  whom  I  have  inspected  as  to  his  diligence  and  care 
in  teaching  and  catechising,  and  by  the  advice  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Wetmore,  I  have,  a  few  mouths  ago,  agreed  with  the  people 
where  Mr.   D\vight  formerly  kept  his  school,  about  three  miles 

1  New-York  M38.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  Vol.  ii.  p.  222.     (Hawks'.) 


282  HISTORY  OF  THE   PARISH 

and  a  half  from  the  church,  in  a  place  where  there  is  a  good 
schoolhouse,  built  in  Mr.  Dwight's  time,  and  a  good  number  of 
children  near  to  it,  mostly  of  parents  belonging  to  the  Church 
— among  whom  I  have  a  prospect  of  being  more  useful,  by 
having  a  steady  and  constant  school  kept  there,  than  in  the 
place  where  I  have  always  kept  it,  near  which  are  many  Dis- 
senters, and  their  teacher  having  fixt  himself  near  thereto,  lately 
they  have  given  me  so  much  trouble  and  opposition,  and  made 
many  endeavours  of  so  little  use,  that  I  chose  to  be  at  some 
more  trouble  in  having  the  care  of  my  school  at  three  miles  dis- 
tance, and  being  at  the  expence  to  piy  for  the  master's  diet  at 
a  convenient  house  there,  rather  than  labour  to  little  purpose 
among  an  ungrateful  people."3 

"There  is  nothing  with  which  I  have  been  so  much  struck 
and  impressed,  (says  Dr.  Berrian)  as  the  zeal,  the  earnestness, 
and  devotedness  of  the  schoolmasters  and  catechists  of  that 
day.  The  former  appear  to  have  been  selected  from  among  the 
laity  with  great  caution  and  care,  and  to  have  been  persons  of 
respectability  and  worth.  Some  of  these  were  men  of  liberal 
education,  who,  in  the  commencement  of  their  professional  life, 
were  full  of  promise,  and  who  ended  it  with  respect  and  hon- 
or. But  they  all  seem  to  have  entered  with  the  same  spirit 
upon  their  humble  labors,  and  to  have  prosecuted  them  with  a 
patience,  and  interest,  and  a  blessed  result,  which  put  ours  to 
shame  at  the  present  day.  Intellectual,  was  not  then,  to  the  ex- 
tent that  it  is  now,  separated  from  religious  improvement,  but 
both  went  hand  in  hand  throughout  the  week.  The  whole  of 
early  life  was,  in  a  certain  measure,  devoted  to  Christian  instruc- 
tion, and  not  merely  reserved  for  the  scanty  intervals  between 
the  hours  of  worship  on  the  Lord's  day.  It  is  delightful  to  ob- 
serve, in  the  annual  reports  of  the  schoolmasters  and  catechists 
to  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  with  what 
cheerfulness  and  industry  they  appear  to  have  labored  in  their 
useful,  but  lowly  employment,  &c."b 

1  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii,  p.  223.      (Hawks'.) 
b  Rev.  Dr.  Berrian's  Hist,  of  Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.,  pp.  86,  87. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  283 

The  two  following  extracts  are  taken  from  Mr.  Wetmore's 
reports  for  1752  : — 

MR  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  April  2d,  1 752. 

Rev.  Sir, 

(:  *  *  The  party  disputes  which  have  run  high  among 
us  for  several  years,  to  my  great  grief,  obstruct  the  success 
which  I  might  otherwise  hope  for,  in  my  endeavours  to  promote 
a  becoming  z?al  for  piety  and  reformation  of  manners  among 
the  looser  sort  of  my  parishioners,  which  are  too  numerous. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  of  more  visible  success  among  my  breth- 
ren, especially  in  Stamford  Parish,  which  I  am  told,  flourishes 
happily,  and  increases  by  ihe  diligent  endeavour  of  good  Broth- 
er Dibblee,  who  nevertheless  finds  himself  hard  put  to  it,  to  sup- 
port a  family  with  so  small  a  salary  as  he  has,  and  I  am  afraid 
the  zeal  of  some  young  men  in  New  England  to  undertake  the 
ministry  with  such  slender  supports,  and  in  expectation  of 
more  assistance  from  the  poor  people  than  they  will  find,  may 
in  the  end  prove  of  bad  consequence  in  bringing  contempt  upon 
our  order.3 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  October  2d,  1752. 

Rev.  Sir, 

My  Parish  is  not  free  from  factions  and  par- 
ties, but  I  think  as  quiet  a^  it  has  been  for  sundry  years  past, 
and  the  several  dissenting  teachers  in  the  bounds  of  my  Parish 

1  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  242.     (Hawks'.) 


2S4.  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

mike  no  advances  to  the  prejudice  of  my  several  congregations, 
although  they  use  their  utmost  endeavours  ;  however,  as  licen- 
tiousness and  wickedness  evidently  abound  more  than  formerly) 
yet  I  can  attribute  it  to  nothing  more  than  party  factions,  which 
have  been  occasioned  by  the  introducing  and  settling  among  us 
these  sort  of  teachers  which  we  had  no  trouble  with  till  a  few 
years  ago."a 

Mr.  Wetmore,  in  his  report,  for  1753,  -acquaints  the  Society 
that  his  several  congregations  at  Rye,  White  Plains,  North  Cas- 
tle and  Bedford,  are  large  and  flourishing,  and  the  disposition  of 
those  that  opposed  the  interest  of  the  Church  in  those  places, 
seems  changed  for  the  better.  The  new  light  preacher  is  re- 
moved from  Bedford,  and  there  are  some  hopes  of  the  people 
uniting  with  North  Castle  towards  supporting  a  minister  in  the 
holy  orders  of  our  Church,  to  officiate  alternately  to  them;  in 
the  meantime,  the  Church  hath  suffered  a  loss  by  the  death  of 
Mr.  Purdy,  the  Society's  schoolmaster,  who  was  a  friend  to  reli- 
gion, and  did  many  kind  offices  to  the  poor,  as  far  as  he  was 
able.  His  corpse  was  attended  to  the  church,  on  Ash- Wednes- 
day, by  a  great  concourse  of  people  of  all  persuasions,  to  whom 
Mr.  Wetmore  preached  a  sermon  adapted  to  that  day,  and  to 
the  melancholy  occasion."  Mr.  Wetmore  also  mentions  the  loss 
of  another  worthy  communicant,  of  exemplary  piety  and  virtue, 
praying  God  to  fill  the  breach  made  in  his  flock,  by  the  loss  of 
two  such  worthy  members. b  Mr.  Purdy  was  succeeded  in  his 
office  of  schoolmaster  for  the  Parish,  by  Mr.  Timothy  Wetmore, 
eldest  son  of  the  Rector,  the  appointment  having  been  made  by 
the  Society,  on  the  recommendation  of  the  inhabitants  of  Rye. 

The  Rev.  James  Wetmore.  by  his  letter  of  October  4th,  1756, 
acknowledges  the  receipt  of  the  Society's  instructions,  and  prom- 
ises his  best  endeavours  to  observe  and  perform  the  contents  of 
them  ;  in  order  to  which,  he  had  gone  through  all  the  parts  of  his 
extensive  Parish,  and  preached  in  some  adjacent  places,  where 
he  had  never  been  before,  and  where  the  people  much  wanted 

1  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulhaio,  vol.  ii.  p.  "242.     (Hawks'.) 

*  Printed  Abstracts  of  Yen.  Prop.  Soc.  from  lGth  Feb.,  1753.  to  loth  Feb.,  1754. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  285 

and  seemed  very  desirous  of  further  instruction.  Mr.  Wet  more 
hath  furnished  his  son,  the  Society's  schoolmaster  at  Rye,  with 
some  proper  sermons,  and  sends  him  on  Sundays  to  read  pr.iy- 
ers,  and  officiate  to  them,  which  gives  such  good  satisfaction, 
and  affords  such  promising  hopes  of  promoting  christian  know- 
ledge among  them,  that  young  Mr.  Wetmore  continues  the  la- 
bour with  great  pleasure. "a 

The  Abstracts  of  the  Society's  proceedings  for  1759,  say  : — 
"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Wetmore,  the  Society's  missionary,  at  Rye,  in 
the  Colony  of  New- York,  has  the  pleasure  of  acquainting  the 
Society  by  his  letter,  dated  April  7th,  1759,  that  a  very  worthy 
person,  a  native  of  England,  but  now  living  in  New- York,  has 
put  into  his  hands  £600  of  that  currency,  of  which  he  reserves 
to  himself  the  interest  during  his  life,  and  hath  left  by  his  will 
£400  more  to  be  added  to  it  after  his  death,  to  purchase  a  con- 
venient glebe  for  the  use  of  the  Society's  missionary  at  Rye, 
for  ever;  and  he  hath  likewise  intrusted  several  other  charita- 
ble legacies  to  the  care  of  the  Society,  besides  the  remainder  of 
his  estates  for  those  good  purposes  for  which  the  Society  is  in- 
corporated, and  Mr.  Wetmore  makes  not  the  least  doubt  of  this 
good  gentleman's  perseverance  in  this  resolution,  he  having  given 
him  leave  to  communicate  thus  much  to  the  Society,  and  being 
always  extraordinarily  careful  in  the  religious  education  of  his 
family ;  wherefore,  the  Society  have  returned  their  hearty 
thanks  to  this  most  worthy  benefactor,  for  the  £600  already 
aiven,  and  for  his  kind  intentions  of  his  other  benefactions  by  his 
last  will,  with  the  assurance  that  they  will  most  religiously  ob- 
serve his  directions  concerning  them,  and  to  the  utmost  of  their 
power  fulfill  the  same."b 

In  a  letter  of  April  7th,  1759,  Mr.  Wetmore  acquaints  the 
Society,  "That  a  very  worthy  person,  a  native  of  England,  (St. 
George  Talbot,  Esq.,)  but  now  being  in  New-York,  had  put  into 
his  hands  £600  currency,  of  which  he  reserves  to  himself  the 


*  Soc.  Abstracts  from  20th  Feb.,  1756,  to  18lh  Feb.,  1757. 
b  Printed  Abstracts  of  the  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  for  1759. 


280  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

interest  during  life,  and  hath  left  by  his  will  £400  more  to  be 
added  after  his  death,  to  purchase  a  convenient  glebe,  and  other 
liberal  legacies."3- 

The  Rev.  James  Wetmore,  finished  his  earthly  course,  and 
fell  asleep  in  the  Lord,  on  Thursday,  May  loth,  1760,  having 
been  nearly  thirty-four  years  minister  of  this  Parish.  "  The  last 
scene  of  his  life  was  such  as  afforded  the  most  pleasing  pros-, 
pectof  the  real  Christian's  ho;  e.  His  views  were  clear,  his  love 
was  strong,  and  his  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory."  His  re- 
mains repose  in  the  old  Parish  burial  ground,  on  the  north-west 
side  of  Blind  brook.  A  plain  monumental  tablet  marks  the  spot 
and  bears  the  following  inscription  : — 

Sacred 

to  the  Memory  of 

The  REV.  MR.  JAMES  WETMORE, 

the  late, 

Worthy,  learned  and  faithful  Minister  of  the 

Parish  of  Rye,  for  above  30  years, 

Who  having  strenuously  defended  the  Church  with  his  pen 

and  adorned  it  by  his  Life  and  Doctrine, 

at-length  being  seized  of  the  small  pox, 

Departed  this  Life,  May  15, 1760. 

jEtatis,  65. 

Cujus  Memorise  sit  in 

Benedictione  sempiterna. 

The  subjoined  notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  New- York 
Mercury,  for  May  29th,  1760.  "  On  the  13th,  of  the  small  pox, 
in  the  65th  year  of  his  age,  the  Rev.  Mr.  James  Wetmore,  Rec- 
tor of  Rye,  very  much  lamented.  This  worthy  clergyman  was 
blessed  with  an  extensive  understanding,  which  he  improved  by 
a  due  application  to  the  most  important  studies.  He  was  well 
versed  in  various  parts  of  useful  learning,  and  had  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  our  happy  constitution,  both  in  Church  and  State, 


»  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Society. — Mr.  Wetmore's  death  is  mentioned 
in  the  Society's  Abstracts  for  1761,  where  the  following  character  is  given  of  him 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Winslow  :  "  He  was  a  gentleman  of  extensive  usefulness,  and  a 
father  and  exemplary  pastor  to  the  clergy  in  those  parts." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  287 

of  which  he  was  a  staunch  friend  and  an  able  advocate. a  In  the 
important  discharge  of  his  ministerial  office  he  was  zealous,  con. 
stant,  and  unwearied  ;  and  though  he  observed  with  grief,  the 
great  decay  of  true  Christianity  and  genuine  piety,  (which  he 
often  heartily  lamented  to  his  friends,)  yet  he  persevered  warmly 
in  the  defence  of  the  former,  and  in  recommending  the  latter, 
both  by  precept  and  example.  His  church  has  lost  a  faithful 
pastor,  his  wife  and  family,  an  affectionate  husband  and  a  tender 
parent,  and  the  publick,  a  worthy  and  useful  member.  But, — 
"  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord." 

"I  have  often  heard  some  aged  persons  (says  the  Rev. 
Andrew  Fowler)  who  recollected  Mr.  Wetmore,  speak  of  him 
with  great  veneration,  as  a  good  man  and  a  sound  divine.  He 
was  not  the  eloquent  orator,  nor  the  fascinating  speaker  ;b  but  he 

»  The  following  is  a  list  of  his  writings,  as  far  as  known,  viz: — 

1.  Two  Printed  Letters  in  Answerto  the  Quakers,  1730. 

2.  Printed  Dialogues  in  Answer  to  the  same,  1732. 

3.  A  Defence  of  Waterland's  Discourse  on  Regeneration,  1744. 

4.  A  Vindication  of  the  Professors  of  the  Church  of  England,  in  Connecticut, 
in  reply  to  Mr.  Hobart's  Sermon  in  F.tvor  of  Presbyterian  Ordination  and  a  Re- 
joinder to  Mr.  Hobart's  Serious  Address,  1747. 

5.  The  Englishman  Directed,  1748. 

6.  Appendix,  &c,  to  Rev.  J.  Beach's  "  Calm  and  Dispassionate  Vindication  of 
the  professors  of  the  Church  of  England,"  1749. 

b  •  It  is  reported  of  Mr.  Wetmore,  that  being  in  the  city  of  New- York  on  a  visit, 
be  was  invited  by  the  Rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Dr.  Ogilvie,  to  preach  for  him; 
but  no  sooner  was  the  sermon  over,  than  a  particular  friend  of  the  rector,  asked 
him,  privately,  how  he  could  invite  that  old  f—l  into  his  pulpit  1  "  Why,"  said 
the  Rector,  "  did  you  not  like  him  ?"  His  friend  replied,  "  No:  I  never  heard  a 
more  stupid  discorcrsc  in  my  life."  When  the  Rector  came  home,  he  desired  Mr. 
Wetmore  to  lend  him  the  sermon  he  had  preached  that  day  and  promised  to  return 
it  when  he  should  see  him  again.  Mr.  Wetmore  readily  complied  with  his  re- 
quest, and  loaned  him  the  discourse  ;  and  not  long  after,  the  Rector  thinking  his 
friend  had  forgotten  it,  took  it  to  church,  where  he  happened  to  be  as  usual,  and 
the  Rector  preached  it  instead  of  his  own.  His  friend  was  pleased  with  the  ser- 
mon, and  told  him  after  church,  that  he  had  outshone  himself,  and  that  his  dis- 
course was  the  best  he  had  ever  heard  in  his  life.  The  Rector  replied  that  he  felt 
highly  gratified  to  think  that  he  was  well  pleased  with  the  sermon  ;  but  added,  it 
was  none  of  his  own;  it  was  the  very  one  which  the  Old  F — I,  as  you  called  him, 
at  the  time,  delivered  in  my  pulpit.  "  Well,"  said  he  to  this  Rector's  friend,  "  if 
he  preaches  such  sermons  as  that,  I  will  never  object  to  his  preaching  in  your 
pulpit  again."  So  apt  are  people  to  condemn  a  clergyman  for  what  they  them- 
selves do  not  understand."— Fowler's  MSS.  Biog.  of  the  Clergy,  vol.  ii.,  p.  548. 


288  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

was  the  rational  and  evangelical  divine,  and  few  clergymen  in 
his  day  wrote  better.  When  a  little  work,  entitled,  "The  Eng- 
lishman Directed  in  the  Choice  of  his  Religion,"  was  republish- 
ed in  the  city  of  New- York,  he  wrote  a  preface  or  introduction 
to  it,  which  was  considered  to  be  very  good.  He  also  wrote  and 
printed  several  dialogues  in  answer  to  the  Quakers,  and  in  de- 
fence of  the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  Church  of  England. 
One  of  his  pamphlets  1  have  in  my  possession,  which  appears 
well  calculated  for  the  purpose  it  was  intended  ;  and  I  see  not 
how  the  Quakers  could  answer  it  in  a  rational  and  spiritual 
manner.  I  believe  the  Christian  Church  could  never  boast  of 
better  men,  take  them  as  a  body,  than  the  Society's  missionaries 
to  this  country.  They  chose  their  profession  from  a  pure  love 
to  religion  and  the  cause  of  Christ,  not  from  the  love  of  money 
or  the  praise  of  men.  They  sought  for  no  honour  but  that  which 
cometh  alone  from  God,  and  an  approving  conscience.  Like  their 
beloved  Master,  they  were  despised  and  rejected,  and  their  reli- 
gion was  everywhere  spoken  against  and  vilhfied.  As  the  Apos- 
tles were  a  spectacle  to  men  and  angels,  so  were  these  men,  and 
if  they  suffered  not  as  martyrs,  it  was  because  the  civil  authority 
protected  them."a 

Mr.  Weimore  left  issue  by  his  wife  Anna,  who  died  on  the 
2sth  of  February,  1771,  two  sons,  Timothy,  for  several  years 
the  Society's  school-master  at  Rye,  and  a  person  of  considerable 
influence  in  the  county,  who,  after  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary 
War,  retired  to  New  Brunswick,  resided  at  St.  John's,  and  held 
numerous  situations  of  honor  and  trust.  Thomas,  the  son  of 
Timothy,  also  removed  to  New  Brunswick,  where  he  was  ap- 
pointed Attorney  General,  and  died  in  lb28.b  James,  second  son 
of  the  Rev.  James  Wetmore,  was   also  the  Society's  schoohnas- 


»  Fowler's  MSS.  Biog.,  of  the  Clergy,  vol.  ii,  p.  212. 

b  Robert  G.  Wetmore,  of  New- York,  eldest  sod  of  Timothy,  also  became  a  res- 
ident of  New  Brunswick,  and  abandoning  the  profession  of  the  law,  to  which  he 
was  educated,  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of  divinity,  and  was  ordained  a  clergy- 
man of  the  Episcopal  Church.  He  died  in  1803,  in  Savannah,  Geo.,  at  the  seat  of 
the  Hon.  Joseph  Clay." — See  Sabine's  American  Loyalists. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  289 

ter,  at  Rye,  for  a  short  time,  and  died  in  Nova  Scotia,  leaving 
several  sons,  one  of  these  was  the  late  Ezrahiah  Wetmore,  who 
died  on  the  7th  of  February,  1838,  aged  81.  Elizabeth,  widow 
of  the  latter,  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  93.  The  Rev. 
James  Wetmore  left  also  four  daughters,  Alethea,  wife  of  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Lamson;  Anna,  wife  of  Gilbert Brundage;a  Charity, 
wife  of  Joseph  Pnrdy,  son  of  Samuel,  the  Society's  school- 
master, from  whom  descend  the  Purdy's  of  Rye;  and  Esther, 
who  married  first,  David  Brown,  and  secondly,  Jesse  Hunt,  Esq., 
high  sheriff  of  this  county,  in  17b0. 

THE  LAST  WILL  AND  TESTAMENT  OF  JAMES  WETMORE,  CLERK. 
"  In  the  name  of  God,  Amrn.  This  sixth  day  of  August,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1759.  I,  James  Wetmore,  of  Rye,  iu  the  County  of  Westchester,  and  Prov- 
ince of  New- York,  Clerk,  being  of  sound  mind  and  memory;  but  calling  to 
mind  the  uncertainty  of  human  life,  and  that  'tis  appointed  for  man,  once  to  die, 
and  after  that,  the  judgement ;  do  make,  and  ordain,  and  appoint  this,  my  last  will 
and  testament,  in  manner  following  :,  That  is  to  say  :  First  of  all,  I  bequeath  my 
soul  to  God  whj  gave  it,  hoping  in  his  mercy,  for  everlasting  life,  through  the 
alone  merits  of  my  blessed  Redeemer  ;  and  my  body  to  the  earth,  to  be  buiied  in 
a  christianlike  manner,  at  the  discretion  of  my  executors  hereinafter  named,  in 
an  assured  expectation  of  its  being  raised  up  again  at  the  last  day  by  the  Almigh- 
ty power  of  my  Redeemer,  to  a  state  of  greater  glory  and  perfection,  to  remain 
forever;  and  as  to  the  small  portion  of  my  worldly  estate,  with  which  it  has 
pleased  God  to  bless  me,  I  will,  bequeath,  and  dispose  of  the  same  in  manner  fol- 
lowing, viz: — Imprimis:  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  loving  wife,  Anna  Wet- 
more, instead  of  a  legal  dowry,  the  use  and  emolument  of  all  that  land,  orchard, 
meadow,  and  pasture,  which  Samuel  Lane  sold  to  Raphael  Jacobs,  lying  in  the 
town  of  Rye,  with  the  house  thereon,  and  all  appurtenances  thereto  belonging, 
and  also  that  pasture  lot  adjoining  thereto,  which  formerly  belonged  to  Peter 
Brown,  on  the  east  side  of  the  road  leading  to  Harrison's  purchase,  to  the  sole 
use  of  my  said  wife  and  her  assigns,  during  the  term  of  her  natural  life  ;  also, 
one  equal  half  of  linnen,  bedding,  and  other  household  furniture,  and  the  privi- 
ledge  of  what  firewood  she  shall  have  occasion  of  for  her  own  use  ;  also,  three 
cows  and  one  horse.  Item,  I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  my  loving  son,  James 
Wetmore,  the  priviledge  of  the  shop,  and  dam  upon  Blind  brook,  for  accommo- 
dating a  fulling  mill,  with  the  utensils  belonging  to  said  mill ;  also,  the  wood  and 
pasture  lott  above  the  first  stone  fence,  to  extend  from  Abraham  Brundige's  land, 
south-westerly,  half  the  width  of  my  land  bought  of  Joseph  Haight,  and  from  the 
stone  fence  that  runs  across  my  land  near  Brundige's  house,  north-westerly  to  the 
next  fence  that  now  runs  across  my  land,  together  with  a  priviledge  to  cart  and 


■  Mother  of  Gilbert  Brundage,  the  father  of  the  present  Mrs.  Buckley,  of  Rye. 

19 


290  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

drive  cattle  thereto,  from  the  bridge  to  the  fulling  mill,  to  him,  his  heirs,  and  as- 
signs forever.     Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  to  my  loving  son,  Timothy,  that  house, 
barn,  and  improvements,  bought  of  Mr.  Jacobs,  lying  in  the  town  of  Rye,  with 
all  the  land  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  which  formerly  belonged  to  Peter  Brown. 
and  also  that  part  of  my  land  bought  of  Joseph  Haight,  on  the  west  side  of  Blind 
brook,  running  from  said  brook,  north-westerly  to  the  stone  fence  that  now  runs 
cross  my  land,  near  Abraham  Brundige's,  and  to  extend  northerly  to  the  lai:d  I 
have  sequestered  for  a  glebe,  which,  at  the  upper  end,  by  the  stone  fence,  is  to  be 
half  the  width  of  my  lot,  to  him,  my  said  son  Timothy,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for- 
ever.    Item.  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  loving  daughter,  Alethea,  wife  of  the 
Rev.  Joseph  Lamson,  .£30,  to  be  paid  by  my  executors  in  one  year  after  my  de- 
cease.   Item,  I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  my  loving  daughter,  Anne,  wife  ot 
Gilbert  Brundige,  so  much  of  my  land  at  Bullock's  meadow,  as  will  be  included 
by  a  line  bearing  the  same  course  with  the  line  between  said  Gilbert  Brundige's 
land  and  that  part  of  my  farm  he  adjoins  to,  to  begin  at  the  south-east  corner  of 
said  Gilbert  Brundige's  lot,  bought  of  Henry  Strang,  to  run  cross  meadow  and 
woods,  the  course  before  specified,  unto  the  land  of  William  Haight,  comprising 
that  part  of  my  farm  that  is  north  of  said  line,   unto  my  said  daughter  Anne 
Brundige,  her  heirs  and  assigns  forever;  also,  .£10,  to  be  paid  by  my  executors 
unto  my  said  daughter  within  a  year  after  my  decease.    Item,  I  give  and  bequeath 
unto  my  loving  daughter,  Charity,  wife  of  Josiah  Purdy,  £30,  to  be  paid  by  my 
executors  in  one  year  after  my  decease.     Item,  I  will,  devise,  and  bequeath  unto 
my  loving  daughter,  Esther  Wetmore,  the  reversion  of  all  that  house,  orchard, 
meadow,  and  pasture,  which  was  formerly  Samuel  Lane's,  and  that  pasture  lot 
which  did  belong  to  Peter  Brown,  eastward  of  the  road  that  leads  to  Harrison's 
purchase,  with  all  the  priviledges  and  appurtenances  thereto  belonging,  after  the 
decease  of  my  wife,  to  whom  I  have  given  the  use  for  life,  the  reversion  and  re- 
mainder to  my  said  daughter,  Esther  Wetmore,  to  her  heirs  and  assigns  forever. 
I  also  give  and  bequeath  unto  my  loving  daughter,  Esther,  one  equal  half  part  of 
all  my  linnen,  bedding,  and  other  household  furniture,  the  same  to  be  equally  di- 
vided between  my  wife  and  said  daughter.    All  the  residue  and  remainder  of  my 
estate  real  and  personal,  after  the  payment  of  above  legacies  and  all  my  just 
debts,  I  will,  devise,  and  bequeath  unto  my  two  loving  sons,  James  Wetmore  and 
Timothy  Wetmore,  to  each,  in  severalty,  to  be  equally  divided  between  them,  af- 
ter the  sale  of  so  much  as  shall  be  necessary  for  payment  of  .my  just  debts  and 
legacies,  unto  them,  their  heirs  and  assigns  forever  ;  and  I  do  hereby  nominate  and 
appoint  my  said  loving  sons,  James  and  Timothy,  to  be  executors  of  this,  my 
last  will  and  testament,  disannulling  all   former  wills  by  me  made,  or  executors 
by  me  nominated,  and  do  confirm  this,  contained  in   these  two  pages,  alone  to  be 
my  last  will  and  testament.   In  witness  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  affixed  my  name 

and  seal. 

JAMES  WETMORE.* 


■  Surrogate's  office,  N.  Y.,  Lib.  xxiv.  125,  126.     This  will  was  proved  10th 
June,  17t>0. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  201 

Signed,  sealed,  pronounced  and  declared  to  be  his  last  will  and  testament,  in 
disposing  mind  and  memory,  in  presence  of  Hachaliah  Brown,  Roger  Park,  Jr., 
Benjamin  Brown,  Jr." 

The  Society's  Abstracts  for  1760,  say  that — "  the  Missions  of 
"Westchester  and  New  Rochelle  are  both  within  the  large  and 
populous  county  of  Westchester,  as  is  also  the  Mission  of  Rye, 
to  which  the  worthy  and  learned  Mr.  Wet  more  was  appointed 
Missionary  in  the  year  1727 ;  but  there  is  come  lately  an  ac- 
count of  his  death,  to  the  inexpressible  concern,  not  only  of  his 
own,  but  of  the  neighbouring  congregations  of  our  Church  in 
those  parts,  and  more  especially  and  particularly  of  those  Mis- 
sionaries, who  esteemed  themselves  happy  in  his  friendship  and 
good  counsel,  and  his  loss  will  be  endeavoured  to  be  repaired  in 
the  best  manner  in  which  it  may  be  done."a 

At  a  Vestry  meeting  held  in  Rye,  on  the  9th  of  February, 
1762,  ';  it  was  agreed  to  allow  the  executors  of  the  Rev.  James 
Wetmore,  our  late  minister,  the  interest  of  what  is  due  from  the 
Parish  to  the  estate  of  the  said  James  Wetmore.  Allowed  to 
Timothy  Wetmore,  on  account  of  his  father's  salary  of  £20." 

Nearly  six  months  after  Mr.  Wetmore's  decease,  Dr.  Johnson 
addressed  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Society  as  -follows : — 

MR.  JOHNSON  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

King's  College,  New -York,  Nov.  25th,  1760. 

':  I  wish  (Mr.  Camp)  may  be  appointed  at  Rye,  where  we 
lament  the  death  of  good  Mr.  Wetmore,  of  the  small  pox,  and  a 
good  successor  is  much  wanted,  as  well  as  at  New  Rochelle  and 
Westchester,  especially  the  latter,  for  which,  perhaps,  Mr.  Milner 
may  do  well,  or  one  Mr.  Davis,  a  hopeful  youth,  who  is  going 
in  the  spring."b 


■  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Society,  for  1760. 

«>  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.,  p.  282.     (Hawks'.) 


292  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Mr.  Barclay  writing  to  the  Secretary,  from  New-York,  Dec. 
10,  1760,  observes — "  That  Westchester  and  Rye  continue  still 
vacant  ;  religion  is  at  the  lowest  ebb  in  that  county,  and  unless 
some  zealous  find  discrete  clergyman  be  appointed  to  those  mis- 
sions, the  very  term  of  it  will  soon  disappear.  As  Westchester 
is  a  wide  extended  county,  three  missionaries  can  find  more 
than  sufficient  employment,  and  1  know  of  no  place  where  they 
can  be  more  serviceable,  provided  they  have  the  interest  of 
religion  at  heart."* 

The  following  extract  occurs  in  a  letter  from  Mr.  Timothy 
Wetmore,  to  the  same  : — 

Rye,  May  6th,  1761. 
Rev.  Sir, 

"  It  is  now,  I  think,  six  or  eight  months  since  we  have  been 
favoured  with  a  sermon,  or  had  either  of  the  sacraments  admin- 
istered in  this  Parish  by  a  minister  of  the  Church.  The  Parish 
being  in  this  destitute  condition,  I  have  presumed,  at  the  request 
of  the  poople,  to  read  service  every  Lord's  day,  and  upon  other 
convenient  occasions,  which  appears  to  have  a  tendency,  by  the 
blessing  of  God,  to  keep  up  a  spirit  of  religion,  and  as  I  have  a 
singleness  to  the  glory  of  God  and  the  good  and  comfort  of  my 
fellow  creatures,  I  hope  it  may  tend  to  the  furtherance  of  the  glori- 
ous designs  of  the  Venerable  Society.  The  people  are  constant 
in  their  attendance,  decent  in  their  deportment,  and  the  temper 
of  many  of  the  Presbyterian  congregation  is  such,  (who  have  no 
minister)  that  I  am  much  inclined  to  think,  if  a  popular  man  is 
settled  in  this  Parish,  they  will  not  call  another  preacher,  but 
many  of  them  may  be  brought  into  the  Church. 

The  constitution  of  this  Parish  is  such,  that  the  minister  must 
be  called  by  the  Vestry  and  inducted  by  the  Governour.  The 
Vestry  are  chosen  by  all  sects  in  the  Parish,  which  is  thirty  miles 


•  New- York,  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.,  p.  282  (Hawks'.)—"  The 
Society  have  informed  the  Vestry  (of  Rye)  that  as  soon  as  they  shall  make  appli- 
cation for  a  minister,  and  enter  into  proper  engagements  to  contribute  towards  his 
support,  they  intend  to  appoint  a  missionary." — Society  Abstracts,  1761. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  293 

in  length.  Mr.  Thomas,  who  is  one  of  the  representatives  in 
tli is  county,  and  who,  in  Governour  DeLancey's  time,  being 
favour-id  with  all  the  administration  of  all  offices  in  the  country, 
civil  and  military,  by  the  help  of  which,  he  has  procured  him- 
self a  large  interest  in  the  county,  especially  in  the  distant  and 
new  settlements,  which  abound  with  a  set  of  people  governed 
more  by  vinality  than  by  anything  else.  This  gentleman, 
though  one  of  the  Society's  missionaries'  sons,  is  so -negligent  and 
indifferent  towards  religion  (in  imitation  of  some  of  our  great 
men)  that  it  has  been  a  steady  method  with  him  for  years,  not 
to  attend  publick  worship,  perhaps,  more  than  once  or  twice  in  a 
year,  whose  example  has  been  mischievous.  This  man  is  not 
only  one  of  our  Vestry,  (though  very  little  esteemed  by  the  true 
friends  of  the  Church,)  but  has  procured  that  the  majority  of  the 
Vestry  are  men  that  will  be  governed  by  him  ;  several  of  the 
Vestry  are  not  of  the  Church,  and  not  one  of  them  a  communi- 
cant in  the  Church  ;  accordingly,  the  Church  are  not  at  all  con- 
sulted with  regard  to  a  successor.  It  is,  therefore,  a  mere 
chance  will  be  pleased  in  this  place,  which  will  really  be,  if  pos- 
sible, a  more  melancholy  in  this  Parish  than  others,  from  the 
peculiar  circumstance  of  it.  As  our  Governour  depends,  from  year 
to  year,  upon  the  Assembly  for  his  living,  &c,  and  we  have  not 
so  fully  hopes  of  relief  there,  I  have  thought  fit  to  give  the 
Venerable  Society  a  hint  of  these  things,  which  they  may  pos- 
sibly improve  to  the  good  of  the  Church. 

Reverend  Sir,  &c, 

Timothy  Wetmore."* 

In  answer  to  this  letter  the  Venerable  Society  expressed  their 
readiness  to  send  a  missionary  to  Rye,  if  necessary,  and  did 
so,  by  appointing  the  Rev.  Mr.  Palmer,  in  1762.  From  the 
following  communication,  however,  it  seems  that  the  Vestry 
in  accordance  with  the  Act  of  Assembly,  had  already  called  the 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Punderson,  of  New  Haven. 


»  New- York  MSS.  from.  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii,  pp.  28G,  287.     (Hawks'.) 


294  [HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

CHURCH-WARDENS  OF  RYE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

Rye,  October  5th,  1762. 

Rev.  Sir, 
"  As  we  are  informed  that  the  Vestry  that  have  preceeded  us 
since  the  decease  of  our  late  worthy  minister,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wet- 
more,  have  omitted  writing  to  the  Venerable  Society,  which  we 
are  afraid  may  be  thought  a  neglect  proceeding  from  a  spirit  of 
ingratitude,  and  may  have  a  tendency  to  give  that  Venerable 
Body  a  disadvantageous  opinion  of  the  Parish. 

We  think  it  our  duty  to  represent  to  the  Society,  that  the 
former  Vestry  did  give  a  call  or  invitation  to  two  gentlemen,  who 
refused  to  accept  it,  and  that  it  seems  likely  that  they  omitted 
writing,  expecting  from  time  to  time,  some  gentleman  might  be 
procured  to  recommend  to  the  Society  for  a  missionary  in  this 
Parish.  But,  however  their  conduct  has  been,  we  are  well  as- 
sured, that  the  people  of  this  Church  have  a  most  grateful  sense 
of  the  goodness  of  the  Venerable  Society  to  this  Parish. 

We,  therefore,  in  behalf  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  humbly  present 
to  that  Venerable  Board  our  sincere  and  hearty  thanks  for 
their  great  expense  in  promoting  the  religion  of  the  blessed 
Jesus  in  this  Parish,  and  earnestly  desire  a  continuance  of  their 
favours,  although  we  blush,  yet  it  is  a  pleasing  blush,  to  hear  the 
Society  (by  you  to  Mr.  Timothy  Wetmore,  dated  January  4th. 
17b2.)  express  their  readiness  to  appoint  a  missionary  here,  be- 
fore we  have  made  application. 

We  have,  at  length,  given  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ebenezer  Punderson, 
of  New  Haven,  an  invitation  to  be  our  pastor,  which  he  has  ac- 
cepted, and  as  the  Parish  are  well  united  in  him,  we  have  good 
reason  to  hope  he  may  be  very  serviceable  ;  and  I  hope  that  his 
request  to  the  Society  to  be  removed  here,  will  meet  with  a 
favourable  acceptance.  As  to  a  title,  we  observe  t-Mhe  Society, 
that  by  a  law  of  the  province,  a  minister  properly  inducted  into 
the  Parish,  is  entitled  to  £50  currency.  That  we  have  petition- 
ed His  Excellency,  Mr.  Monckton,  our  Governour,  to  induct  Mr. 
Punderson,  and  we  have  no  reason  to  doubt  he  will  comply  with 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  295 

our  request,  as  every  thing  that  can  be  required,  on  the  part  of 
the  Parish,  is  done.  We  have  also  a  parsonage  house  and  lot, 
which  Mr.  Pundersop  has  seen  and  expressed  his  satisfaction 
with.  We  have  only  to  add  our  thanks  to  the  Venerable  Society, 
and  beg  leave  to  subscribe  ourselves, 
Your  most  obedient 

and  humble  servants, 

Elisha  Budd,  Samuel  Purdy, 
Churchwardens,  and  others."a 

Dr.  Johnson,  writing  to  the  Secretary,May  U)th,  17(33,  says:  — 
"  Mr.  Punderson  was  indeed  much  urged  by  that  people  to  Rye, 
who  have,  by  law,  a  right  to  choose  their  incumbent,  but  upon 
my  urging  the  irregularity  of  it,  without  the  Society's  appoint- 
ment, they  desisted,  and  he  did  not  move  and  only  visited 
them  now  and  then.  But  as  things  were  so  unhappily  embar- 
rassed by  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Palmer,  then  I  saw  there  was 
no  way  to  accommodate  the  difficulty  but  by  advising  an  ex- 
change between  him  and  Mr.  Palmer,  who  was  afso  desirous  of 
it,  and  1  did  not  doubt  but  the  Society  would  readily  come  into 
it.  If  I  presumed  too  far  in  giving  that  advice,  I  humbly  ask 
pardon,  but  as  things  are  gone  so  far  it  will  certainly  be  ex- 
tremely detrimental  to  the  interest  of  religion,  in  both  those 
places,  if  they  are  not  permitted  to  exchange.  I  do,  therefore, 
humbly  beg,  for  once,  that  the  Venerable  Board  will  allow  Mr. 
Punderson  to  go  on  and  settle  at  Rye,  and  appoint  Mr. 
Palmer,  at  New  Haven,  who  have  lately  sent  their  address  for 
him."b 

Mr.  Palmer0  thus  addresses  the  Secretary  in  relation  to  this 
affair  : — 


■  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.,  p.  291.     (Hawks'.) 
b  r'onn.  MSS.  from  Aichives  at  Fulliam,  p.  417.     (Hawks') 
c  The  Rev.  Solomon  Palmer  was  a  dissenting  teacher,  at  Cornwall.  Conn.     In 
1754   lie  conformed  and  went  to  England  for  holy  orders.     He  died  at  his  mission 
of  Litchfield,  Nov.  1st,  1771.  and  was  interred  the  Sunday  following. — See  Conn. 
MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulliam,  p.  G28.    (Hawks'.) 


296  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

MR.  PALMER  TO  THE  SECRETARY". 

[extract.] 
Lilchjield,  Conn..  June  8th.  1763. 

Rev.  Sir, 
"I  wrote  the  Society  my  most  hearty  and  unfeigned  thanks 
for  their  appointment  of  me  at  Rye,  where  I  would  gladly  have 
gone  had  1  not  been  intercepted  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Punderson's 
being  there  before  that  designation  was  known  or  expected  ; 
however,  I  should  have  made  them  a  visit  and  offered  myself  to 
be  chosen  by  them,  had  they  not  taken  a  seasonable  precaution 
to  prevent  it,  by  writing  and  sending  me  a  letter  of  the  follow- 
ing contents,  which  I  received  in  less  than  a  week,  after  yours 
of  the  6th  of  November  last  came  to  hand,  which  gave  me  the 
first  notice  of  my  appointment  to  that  mission." 

Rye,  February  2\st,  1763. 
Rev.  Sir, 
"We,  the  justices,  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  Parish 
of  Rye,  having  greatly  at  heart  the  preservation  of  our  happy 
union,  that  subsists  in  our  church,  presume,  Sir,  that  you,  a 
preacher  of  the  gospel  of  peace,  will  highly  concur  with  us  in 
opinion  of  the  absolute  necessity  of  guarding  against  every 
event  that  threatens  to  impede  its  continuance.  Ever  since 
the  decease  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wetmore,  our  late  worthy  pastor, 
an  unhappy  spirit  of  discord  about  a  successor  to  that  office, 
very  unfortunately  prevailed  among  us,  till  the  coming  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Punderson,in  September  last,  when,  by  his  unwearied 
endeavours  and  successful  preaching  in  the  several  parts  of  his 
Parish,  it  pleased  God  to  reunite  the  minds  of  the  people  in  Mr. 
Punderson,  and  we  did  then,  with  one  general  voice,  give  Mr. 
Punderson  an  invitation  to  be  our  pastor,  and  he,  to  our  great 
satisfaction,  favoured  us  with  his  acceptance  of  it,  and  in  con. 
sequence  whereof,  a  petition  was  inline  iiately  drawn  and  lodged 
in  the  hands  of  the  Honourable  Daniel  Horsmander,  Esq  ,  in 
New- York,  to  be  presented   at  a  proper  time,  by  him  and   the 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  297 

Rev.  Dr.  Barclay,  to  his  Excellency  the  Governour,  to  induct 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Punderson  into  our  Church,  and  on  the  5th  of  Oc- 
tober last,  the  Vestry,  attended  by  a  number  of  parishioners, 
wrote  a  letter  to  the  Honourable  Society,  acquainting  them  with 
their  proceedings,  and  requested  their  consent  to  Mr.  Punder- 
son's  establishment  among  us,  and  which  was  transmitted  to 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Johnson,  of  New- York,  to  be  forwarded  by  the 
first  conveyance,  under  cover  of  the  Dr's.  letter  of  recommenda- 
tion, on  this  occasion,  to  the  Society,  so  that  both  the  Dr's.  and 
Vestry's  letters  have  doubtless  long  ere  now,  reached  the  Socie- 
ty's hands,  and  we  have  the  greatest  reason  to  expect,  from  the 
known  pious  interest  of  that  Venerable  Body,  an  agreeable  an- 
swer to  our  request.  Mr.  Punderson,  who  is  now  here,  and  has 
once  more  favoured  us  with  many  visits,  wherein  he  has  happi- 
ly revived  no  inconsiderable  spirit  of  religion  among  us,  and  in 
consequence  thereof  has  gained  our  greatest  esteem  ;  and  in- 
deed, it  now  visibly  appears  that  he  is  actually  sealed  in  the 
hearts  of  the  people  in  general,  who,  with  great  discontent  now 
lament  our  misfortune,  (excuse  the  expression)  of  your  appoint- 
ment for  this  Parish,  before  the  Dr.'s  and  Vestry's  letters  could 
meet  the  Society's  hand,  and  on  which  occasion,  a  cloud  of  dis- 
cord does  already  threaten  our  peace  in  the  Church;  and  we 
firmly  believe  that  a  disappointment  of  having  Mr.  Punderson 
for  our  minister,  would  prove  very  fatal  to  her.  Thus,  sir,  we 
have  considered  well  ourduty  and  our  representationsof  this  Par- 
ish, giving  you  a  faithful  information  of  our  proceedings  since 
Mr.  Punderson's  first  coming  here,  and  also  our  own,  as  well  as 
the  parishioners  sentiments  in  regard  to  your  appointment,  which 
we  freely  communicate  to  you,  on  no  other  motive  than  an  ear- 
nest desire  of  the  parishioners  in  general,  that  neither  the  con- 
tinuance of  our  happy  reunion  in  Mr.  Punderson,  nor  his  estab- 
lishment among  us  may  be  impeded  on  your  application  to  Dr. 
Johnson  and  other  gentlemen  of  the  clergy,  who  in  general, 
very  well  know  how  matters  stand  here.  We  presume  you'll 
be  convinced  to  your  satisfaction,  that  we  speak  the  real  senti- 
ments of  the  Parish  in  general,  as  they  are  also  our  own,  without 
the  least  tincture  of  prejudice  or  any  other  motive  than  the  preser- 


298  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

vation  of  peace  and  harmony  in  the  Church,  and  also  his  res- 
toration from  his  much  reduced  situation  ;  and  be  assured,  if 
things  were  circumstanced  now  as  they  were  before  Mr.  Pun- 
derson's  coming  here,  we  should  receive  you  cheerfully  with 
open  arms,  agreeable  to  your  character,  and  with  the  respect 
that  is  justly  due  to  the  Venerable  Society's  appointment.  We 
remain,  most  respectfully, 

Rev.  Sir,  your  very  humble  servants, 

Andrew  Merritt,     ;  ,-,,        ,  »  !  3 

(  Churchwardens, 

Ebenezer  Kniffen.  ) 

and  several  others." 

At  the  same  time  I  received  the  above,  came  to  hand  the  fol- 
lowing one  : — 

Neio  Haven,  February  25th,  1763. 
Dear  Brother. 

"Your  letter  for  Dr.  Johnson  of  the  22d  of  January,  which 
came  not  to  hand  until  Wednesday  evening  last.  I  am  inform- 
ed the  Society  have  appointed  you  to  succeed  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Wetmore,  deceased,  at  Rye  ;  (not  having  received  the  united  re- 
quests of  the  people  there,  the  Doctor's  and  myself,  for  my  re- 
moval to  that  place)  as  this  news  was  altogether  unexpected  to 
us  all,  it  seems  not  a  little  to  disconnect  matters,  for  had  I 
known  of  your  writing  to  the  Venerable  Society  for  that  Parish, 
I  should  never  have  consented  to  their  desires  of  becoming 
minister.  However,  the  Doctor  gives  it  as  his  opinion  to  the 
Vestry  at  Rye,  and  also  in  his  letter  to  me,  the  best  method  of 
preserving  peace  and  unity  in  the  Church,  is  for  you  to  succeed 
me  here,  and  for  me  to  remove  to  Rye,  and  he  cannot  but  think 
you  will  give  satisfaction  here.  I  have  with  this,  forwarded  a 
letter  from  the  representatives  of  that  Parish,  which  they  com- 
mitted to  my  care,  as  the  likeliest  method  of  a  direct  convey- 
ance of  it,  for  it  is  the  Doctor's  desire  that  the  affair  may  be 
settled  as  soon  as  possible.     I  am,  your  affectionate  brother, 

Ebenezer  Punderson.'^ 


»  Conn.  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  p.  452.     (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  K\E.  299 

The 

REV.  EBENEZER  PUNDERSON,  A.  M., 

Mr.  Wetmore's  successor,  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Punderson, 
of  New  Haven,  where  he  was  born  in  the  year  1704.  His 
grandfather,  John,  was  the  only  son  of  John  Pnnderson,  who 
emigrated  from  Yorkshire  to  New  England  in  1637.  and  was 
one  of  the  "seven  pillars"  who  formed  the  first  Congregational 
Society  at  New  Haven. a  Mr.  Punderson  was  educated  at  Yale 
College,  where  he  graduated  in  1726.  He  also  received  the  de- 
gree of  Master  of  Arts  from  King's  College  in  New-York,  in 
1753.  Studying  theology  in  the  dissenting  way,  he  was  in" 
stalled  pastor  over  the  Second  Congregational  Society  at  Groton? 
December  25th,  1729. b  In  1732,  he  came  into  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  in  April,  1734,  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  be  ordained. c 
On  his  return,  he  reorganized  a  church  at  the  village  of  Poque- 
tannuck,  North  Groton,  1 73S,  which  has  ever  since  existed, 
though  it  has  always  been  small,  and  has  never  been  able  to 
sustain  a  pastor  of  its  own,  but  has  principally  relied  on  Nor" 
wich  for  ministerial  supply.  Mr.  Punderson  was,  for  some 
years,  an  itinerant  missionary  of  the  Society,  for  the  Propaga- 
tion of  the  Gospel,  and  preached  at  Groton,  Hebron,  and  other 
places  adjacent,  from   1740  to  1750.     He  was   the   first   regular 


*  John  Punderson  sailed  from  England  on  the  25th  of  July,  1637,  in  company 
with  John  Davenport  and  others.  He  died  llth  February,  1680.  His  only  son, 
John,  was  born  in  1643,  and  died  in  1729.  The  name  originally  was  Punchardon. 
The  arms  of  Punderson  are  : — ar.  a  fesse  within  a  bordure  gu.  charged  with  eight 
escallops  of  the  first,     ('rest — a  unicorn's  head,  erased,  gu.,  bezantee  and  armed  or. 

b  Trumbull's  Hist,  of  Conn.,  vol.  ii.  p.  530 

•  Mr.  Seabury  writing  to  the  Sec.  from  New  London,  March  30th,  1734,  says: — 
"  Mr.  Punderson,  who  is  going  to  England,  about  five  years  ago  was  called  to 
preach  in  a  Presbyterian  or  Independent  way  at  Groton,  near  New  London,  where 
be  even  received  ordination,  but  falling  under  d  >ubts  and  scruples  concerning  their 
form  of  ordinal  ion  and  method  of  Church  government,  and  at  the  same  time  ac- 
quainting himself  with  the  Church  of  England,  he  found  himself  obliged  upon  true 
and  regular  conviction  to  embrace  her  communion,  and  thereupon  he  laid  down  his 
ministry,  in  which  he  was  settled  to  good  advantage." — Conn.  M.SS.  from  Archives 
at  Fulham,  p.  18!).     (Hawks'.) 


300  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

officiating  clergyman   at  Norwich,  upon   the  erection  of   their 
church  in  1750. 

The  Venerable  Society's  Abstracts  for  the  year  ending  1753, 
say: — "The  Rev.  Mr.  Punderson,  the  Society's  itinerant  mis- 
sionary in  Connecticut,  having  petitioned  the  Society  to  be  set- 
tled a  missionary,  with  only  a  part  of  his  salary,  (which  is  £70 
per  annum)  to  the  members  of  the  Church  of  England  in  New 
Haven,  the  place  of  his  nativity,  (where  a  new  Church  is  built, 
to  which  Mr.  Punderson  gave  the  greatest  part  of  the  timber,) 
and  to  those  of  the  neighbouring  towas  of  Guilford  and  Bran- 
ford  ;  the  Society,  out  of  regard  to  the  advanced  years  of  Mr. 
Punderson,  and  to  his  past  good  services,  and  to  the  great  trou- 
bles he  has  met  with  from  some  oppressive  persons  in  Connect- 
icut, have  granted  his  request,  and  have  appointed  him  their 
missionary  to  the  three  towns  of  New  Haven,  Guilford,  and 
Bran  ford,  with  a  salary  of  fifty  pounds  per  annum;  and  de- 
sired him  to  recommend  some  proper  young  person,  educated 
in  one  of  the  colleges  there,  to  succeed  him  in  the  remaining 
part  of  his  itinerant  mission."  Mr.  Punderson  was  presented 
to  the  Governor  for  induction,  in  the  following  manner  : — 

THE  PRESENTATION  OP  THE  CHURCHWARDEN'S  AND  VESTRY- 
MEN OF  THE  PARISH  OF  RYE  OF  MR.  EBENEZER  PUNDERSON 
TO  THE  RECTORY  OF  SAID  PARISH. 

"  To  the  Honourable  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq.,  his  Majesty's  Lieuten- 
ant Governour,  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  and  the  Territories  depending  thereon,  in  America  : 
The  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  including  the  districts 
or  precincts  of  Rye,  Mamaroneck,  and  Bedford,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  in 
the  Province  of  New- York,  the  true  and  undoubted  patrons  of  the  said  Parish,  with- 
in your  Honour's  government ;  in  all  reverence  and  obedience  to  your  Honour,  due 
and  suitable,  send  greeting,  in  our  Lord  God  everlasting,  and  certifye  that  to  the  said 
Parish  of  Rye,  including  the  districts  or  precincts  of  Rye,  Mamaroneck,  and  Bed- 
ford, now  being  vacant  by  the  natural  death  of  James  Wetmore,  the  last  incum- 
beut  of  the  same,  and  to  our  presentation  of  full  right  belonging,  we  have  called  our 
beloved  in  Christ,  Ebenezer  Punderson,  Clerk,  to  officiate  in  the  said  Parish  church  of 
Rye.  called  Grace  Church  ;  and  him,  the  said  Ebenezer  Punderson,  sends  by  these 
presents  to  your  Honour,  present,  humbly  praying  that  you  would  vouchsafe  him  to 
the  said  church  and  Parish  of  Kye,  including  the  districts  or  precincts  aforesaid,  to 
admit,  institute,  and  cause  to  be  inducted,  with  all  its  rights,  members,  and  appurte- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  301 

nances,  and   (hat  you  will,  with  favour   and   effect,  do  and   fulfill   all  and  singular, 

other  things  which  in  this  behalf  are  proper  and  fitting  for  your  Honour  to  do. 

In  testimony  whereof,  we,  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  aforesaid,  have  to 

these  presents  put  our  hands  and  seals,  this         day  of  November,  in  the  year  of  our 

Lord,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-three. 

Ebenezer  Kniffen,  )  „,       ,         , 

>  Churchwardens, 
Andrew  Merrit.      S 

and  seven  Vestrymen."3 

LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOUR  COLDEN'S  ADMISSION  OF  MR.  PUN- 
DERSON  AS  RECTOR  OF  THE  PARISH  CHURCH  OF  RYE,  &c. 
"  I,  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esquire,  his  Majesty's  Lieutenant  Governour,  and 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New- York,  and  the  Territories  depending 
thereon  in  America,  do  admit  you,  Ebenezer  Punderson,  Clerk  to  be  Kector  of  the 
Parish  Church  of  Rye,  commonly  called  Grace  Church,  and  of  the  Parish  of  Rye, 
including  the  several  districts  or  precincts  of  Rye,  Mainaroueck,  and  Bedford,  in  the 
County  of  Westchester,  within  the  said  Province. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  prerogative  sea]  of  the  Province  of  New-York,  at 
Fort  George,  in  the  City  of  New-York,  the  seventeenth  day  of  November,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-three. 

CADWALLADER  GOLDEN."*- 

LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOUR  COLDEN'S  INSTITUTION  OF  MR.  PUN- 
DERSON AS  RECTOR  OF  THE  PARISH  CHURCH  OF  RYE,  &c. 
"  I,  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esquire,  bis  Majesty's  Lieutenant  Governour  and 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New- York,  and  the  Territories  depending 
thereon,  in  America,  do  institute  yuu,  Ebenezer  Punderson,  Clerk,  Rector  of  the 
Parish  Church  of  Uye,  commonly  called  Grace  Church,  and  of  the  Parish  of  Rye 
including  the  several  districts  or  precincts  of  Rye,  Mamaroneck,  and  Bedford,  in  the 
County  of  Westchester,  in  the  said  Province,  to  have  the  care  of  the  souls  of  the 
parishioners  of  the  said  Parish  ;  and  take  your  cure  and  mine. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  the  prerogative  seal  of  the  Province  of  New-York,  at 
Fort  George,  in  the  City  of  New-York,  the  seventeenth  day  of  November,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-three. 

CADWALLADER  COLDEN." 

MANDATE   FROM    LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOUR  COLDEN    TO  IN- 
DUCT MR.  PUNDERSON  INTO  THE  RECTORSHIP  OF  THE  PAR- 
ISH OF  RYE. 
'•'  The  Honourable  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esquire,  his  Majesty's  Lieutenant  Gover- 


*  Copied  from  the  original  document  in  the  possession  of  John  C.  Jay,  Esq.,  Se- 
nior Warden  of  the  Parish. 
b  Ibid. 


302  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

nour  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New-York,  and  the  Territories  de- 
pending thereon  in  America.  To  all  and  singular.  Rectors  and  Parish  Ministers 
whatsoever,  in  the  Province  of  New-York,  or  to  Andrew  Alcrrit  and  Ebenezer  Knif- 
fen,  the  present  Churchwardens  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  in  tho  County  of  Westches- 
ter, and  to  the  Vestrymen  of  the  said  Parish,  and  to  each  and  every  of  you,  greet- 
ing: — Whereas,  I  have  admitted  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Ebenezer  Punderson,  Clerk, 
to  the  Rectory  of  the  Parish  Church  at  Rye,  commonly  called  Grace  Church,  and 
of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  including  the  several  districts  or  precincts  of  Rye,  Mamaro- 
neck,  and  Bedford,  in  the  county  of  Westchester  within  this  government,  to  which 
the  said  Ebenezer  Punderson  was  presented  unto  me  by  the  Churchwardens  and 
Vestrymen  of  the  said  Parish,  the  true  and  undoubted  patrons  of  the  said  Parish,  va- 
cant, as  is  say'd  by  the  natural  death  of  James  Wetmore,  the  last  incumbent  there, 
on  or  about  the  nineteenth  day  of  May,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty  ; 
and  him,  the  said  Ebenezer  Punderson,  I  have  instituted  into  the  Rectory  of  the 
said  Parish  Church  and  Parish,  with  all  their  right:,  members,  and  appurtenances, 
observing  the  laws  and  canons  of  right,  in  that  behalf  required  and  to  be  observed. 
To  you  therefore,  jointly  and  severally,  I  do  commit,  and  firmly  injoining,  do  com- 
mand each  and  every  of  you,  that  in  due  manner,  him  the  said  Ebenezer  Punder- 
son, or  his  lawfull  Proctor,  in  his  name  and  for  him,  into  the  real,  actual,  and  corpo- 
ral possession  of  the  Rectory  of  the  said  Parish  Church  and  Parish,  including  the 
districts  or  precincts  aforesaid,  and  of  all  their  rights  and  appurtenances,  whatsoever, 
you  induct,  or  cause  to  be  inducted,  and  him  so  inducted,  you  do  defend:  and  of 
what  you  shall  have  done  in  the  premises  thereof,  you  do  duely  certify  unto  me  or 
other  competent  judge,  in  that  behalf,  when  thereunto  you  shall  be  duely  required. 
Given  under  my  hand  and  the  prerogative  seal  of  the  Province  of  New-York,  at 
Fort  George,  in  the  City  of  New-York,  the  seventeenth  day  of  November,  in  tho 
year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-three."* 

CADWALLADER  COLDEX." 

CERTIFICATE  OF  MR  PUNDERSON'S  INDUCTION  INTO  THE  REC- 
TORSHIP OF  THE  PARISH  OF  RYE,  &c. 

"  I,  John  Milner,  Rector  of  the  Parish  of  Westchester,  in  the  County  of  West- 
chesLer  and  Province  of  New- York,  do  hereby  certifye,  that  by  virtue  of  a  warrant 
hereunto  annexed,  from  the  Honourable  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esquire,  his  Majesty's 
Lieutenant  Governour  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New-York, 
aforesaid,  and  the  Territories  depending  thereon,  in  America  ;  I  have  this  day  in- 
ducted the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Punderson,  into  the  real,  actual,  and  corporal  possession 
of  the  Rectory  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Rye,  commonly  called  Grace  Church  an^ 
of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  including  the  several  districts  or  precincts  of  Rye.  Mama- 
runeck,  and  Bedford,  in  the  County  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  with  all  their  rights, 
members,  and  appurtenances,  the  21st  day  of  November,  Anno  Domini,  17G3. 

1  Rec.  of  Commissions  at  Albany,  fol.  v.,  274-5. — The  original  documents  are  in 
the  possession  of  John  C.  Jay,  Esq. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  RYE.  303 

The  induction  of  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Punderson  being  executed,  the  above  cer- 
tificate was  signed,  in  consequence  thereof,  by  the  Rev.  John  Milner,  in  the 
presence  of  us,  who  subscribe  our  names  as  witnesses  thereunto. 

JOHN  MILNER,  Rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Westchester, 
and  twenty-one  others." 

"  I,  Ebenezer  Punderson,  do  here  declare  my  unfeigned  assent  and  consent  to  alj 
and  everything  contained  and  prescribed  in  and  by  ye  Book  entitled  the  Book  of 
Common  Prayer,  and  Administration  of  ye  Sacraments;  and  ye  Rites  and  Cere, 
monies  of  ye  Church,  according  to  the  use  of  the  Church  of  England ;  together 
with  ye  Psalter  or  Psalms  of  David,  pointed  as  they  are  to  be  sung  or  said  in 
Churches,  and  the  form  or  manner  of  making,  ordaining,  and  consecrating  Bish- 
ops, Priests,  and  Deacons." 

"  Upon  the  4th  day  of  December,  17G3,  the  above  mentioned  Ebenezer  Punder- 
son, after  divine  service  was  began,  and  before  it  was  ended,  read  distinctly  the 
thirty-nine  Articles  of  Religion,  and  declared  his  unfeigned  assent  and  consent 
to  them;  and  also  made  the  above  declaration. 

Witness.  Hachaliah  Brown,  Timothy  Wetmore."" 

The  following  extract  is  from  Mr.  P  undersoil's  first  report  to 
the  Secretary  : — 

MR.  PUNDERSON  TO  THi^  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  November  12th.  1762. 

Rev.  Sik, 
"I  am  now  entered  upon  the  thirtieth  year  in  the  service  of 
the  Venerable  Society  for  the    Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  &c, 
and   notwithstanding  I  have   laboured  under  many  infirmities, 


a  Copied  from  the  original  documents  in  the  possession  of  John  C.  Jay,  Esq. 
"  The  ancient  mode  of  induction  was  as  follows  : — The  person  who  executed  the 
induction,  took  the  individual  to  be  inducted  by  the  hand,  laid  it  on  the  key  of 
the  Church,  in  the  door,  and  pronounced  these  words,  viz : — '  By  virtue  of  this 
warrant,  I  induct  you  into  the  real,  actual,  and  corporal  possession  ot  the  Parish 
Church  of  Rye,  commonly  called  Grace  Church,  and  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  in- 
cluding the  several  Districts  or  Precincts  of  Rye,  Mamaroneck,  and  Bedford,  in 
the  County  of  Westchester,  within  this  Province  of  New- York,  with  all  their 
rights,  members,  and  appurtenances' — Then  he  opened  the  door  of  the  Church, 
and  put  the  person  in  possession  thereof,  who  usually  tolled  the  Church  bell — 


304  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

yet  have  by  divine  goodness  been  enabled  to  perform  divine 
service  every  Sunday,  save  one,  during  the  long  term  ;  and  have 
rid,  and  preached  more  than  two  sermons  in  three  weeks,  ye 
whole  of  the  time.  Upwards  of  nine  years  have  I  been  in  the 
Society's  service,  at  New  Haven,  Guilford,  and  Brandford,  where 
I  have  six  churches,  and  have  more  than  one  hundred  and  sixty 
communicants,  and  by  the  blessing  of  heaven  upon  my  zealous 
and  painful  endeavours  to  serve  the  Church  of  God  which  he 
has  purchased  with  his  own  blood  ;  I  have  almost  solely 
raised  up  eleven  churches  in  Connecticut,  and  from  the  force 
and  fraud  of  the  powers  of  darkness  and  evil,  and  wicked  men, 
who  are  their  instruments,  have  suffered  more  than  probably 
almost  any  man  now  alive  ;  but  blessed  be  God  whose  property 
it  is  lo  bring  light  out  of  darkness,  good  out  of  evil,  and  order 
out  of  confusion,  has  made  all  these  things  work  together  for 
my  best  good,  the  increase  of  my  faith,  and  patience  and  fer- 
vent zeal  to  promote  the  salvation  of  immortal  souls.a 

Rev,  Sir,  &c, 

Ebenezer  Punderson." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry  held  at  the  house  of  Abraham 
Theall,  on  the  1st  of  February,  1763,  the  Vestry  "allowed  to 
the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Punderson,  for  his  service  in  the  Church, 
from  the   1st  day  of  July,   1762,  to  the   1st  day  of  February, 

1763,  the   sum  of  £25  0  0;  also,  for  his  salary  to  January  1st, 

1764,  £50." 

Upon  the  9th  of  April,  1763,  "The  Justices  and  Vestry  voted 


then  the  inductor  certified  the  induction,  which  he  endorsed  on  the  warrant,  and 
also  all  those  who  were  present  usually  set  their  hands  to  it  as  witnesses.  The 
person  thus  inducted,  had  to,  within  two  months  afterward,  read  the  thirty-nine 
Articles,  and  declare  his  unfeigned  assent  and  consent  lo  them,  after  the  Com- 
mon Prayer  was  began,  and  before  it  was  ended,  and  likewise  within  the  said 
two  months,  he  had  upon  Sunday,  to  read  the  whole  service  for  that  day,  out  of 
the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  and  deilver  his  assent  to  it  in  that  very  Church  to 
which  he  was  i.iducted,  in  the  words  as  above. 
■  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Pulham,  vol.  ii.  pp.  311,  312.      (Hawks'.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  305 

the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  forty-five  pounds  on  the  several 
districts  of  the  Parish,  in  manner  following,  viz : — 

Rye,        -        -        -        -        £68  18  7 
Manor  of  Scarsdale,     -  25     4  6 

Bedford,  -         -         -  50  18  6 

Mamaroneck,       -         -  18  10  0 

White  Playns,  -         -  24     9  0 

North  Castle,        -         -  56  19  5 

£245  00  0 

At  this  meeting,  "  The  Vestry  considered  that  there  was  not 
money  in  the  Churchwardens  hands  to  pay  the  Rev.  Mr.  Pun- 
derson  the  twenty-five  pounds  that  was  voated,  for  services  done 
in  the  Church  by  said  Mr.  Punderson,  from  July  the  1st,  1762, 
to  January  1st,  1763. — There  then  appeared  Mr.  Peter  Jay, 
John  Thomas,  Esq.,  Mr.  Benjamin  Griffen,  Elisha  Budd,  Esq., 
and  Mr.  William  Sutton,  and  advanced  five  pounds  a  piece,  ma- 
king the  twenty-five  pound.  Ordered  that  the  aforesaid  be  paid 
as  soon  as  it  shall  be  collected  by  the  constables,  and  paid  to 
said  persons  above,  by  the  Church  wardens."3- 

The  Society's  Abstracts  for  1763,  say  :— «  The  Rev.  Mr.  Pun- 
derson, the  Society's  missionary  at  Rye,  in  his  letter  dated  Oc- 
tober 10th,  1763,  writes,  since  his  removal  to  Rye,  in  May  last, 
besides  preaching  two-thirds  of  the  Sundays  at  Rye,  and  the 
other  third  at  White  Plains,  North  Castle  and  Bedford,  (the  first? 
seven,  and  the  other,  twenty  miles  from  Rye  Church)  he  has 
been  twice  to  Crumpond  and  once  to  Croton,  each  thirty  miles 
from  Rye.  In  his  occasional  visits,  and  since  his  residence  at 
Rye,  he  has  christened  nineteen  adults,  and  ninety-two  children, 
and  he  has  added  several  to  our  communion,  and  is  preparing 
many  more.  Upon  Mr.  Punderson's  representation  of  a  great 
want  of  Prayer  Books,  a  large  number  have  been  sent  him  to 
be  distributed  among  his  poor  parishioners."b 

■  Church  Records  of  Rye. 

b  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  from  18th  of  Feb.,  1763,  to  17th  of  Feb., 
1764. 

20 


306  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Thus  actively  engaged  in  the  glorious  work  of  extending  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom,  the  life  of  this  faithful  and  virtuous  sol- 
dier of  the  Cross  glided  peacefully  along,  until  the  22d  day  of 
September,  1764,  when  his  Master  called  him  home  tothe  rest  that 
remaineth  for  the  people  of  God.  His  remains  are  interred  be- 
side those  of  Wetmore,  in  the  Episcopal  burying  ground  at  Rye, 
where  a  neat  monument  is  erected,  with  the  following  inscrip- 
tion :  — 

Sacred  to  the  Memory  of  the 
Rev:d.  Ebenezer  Punderson,  Late 
Missionary  to  the  Rev'"1.  Society  for 
Propagating  the  Gospel  in  foreign 
Parts,  who  died  22d  SeP.,  A.  D.  1764, 
Being  60  Years  of  Age. 
With  Pure  Religion  Was  his  Spirit  fraught, 
Practis'd  Himself  what  he  to  others  Taught. 

The  following  notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  "  New- 
York  Post  Boy,"  for  October  4th,  1764  :— 

"We  hear  from  Rye,  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ebenezer  Punderson, 
late  Minister  of  that  place,  missionary  from  the  Honourable  So- 
ciety for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  &c,  died  there  on  Sat- 
urday, the  22d  alt.,  after  a  few  days  illness,  much  lamented."* 

Mr.  Punderson  left  two  sons,  Ebenezer,  the  eldest,  graduated 
at  Yale  College  in  1755,  and  settled  at  Preston,  Connecticut, 
where  he  died,  A.  D.,  1809.b  His  son,  Ebenezer,  died  in  1846- 
7,  leaving  two  sons,  Francis,  of  Hudson,  Columbia  Countv, 
N.  Y.,  and  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Punderson,  of  Western  New- 
York  ;    besides  two  daughters,  Mary  and  Elizabeth.      Cyrus 


»  The  Boston  Gazette  ftfr  the  15th  of  October,  1764,  says  :— "that  he  died  at 
Rye,  on  Sunday,  the  22d  ult.,"  but  this  must  be  a  mistake,  as  the  22d  occurred 
on  a  Saturday. — See  Cresswell's  Secular  Diary,  published  in  N.  Y.,  A.  D.,  1849. 

b  The  following  obituary  notice  appeared  in  the  Churchman's  Mag.,  for  1809. 
"  Uied  at  Preston,  in  Connecticut,  on  Thursday,  the  6th  of  April  last,  after  about 
a  fortnight's  illness  of  the  epidemic,  typhus  fever,  Mr.  Ebenezer  Punderson,  Mer- 
chant, eldest  son  of  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Punderson,  deceased,  who  was  formerly 
a  missionary  for  the  Ven.  Soc.  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  in  Connecticut, 
afterwards  at  New  Haven,  and  finally  at  Rye." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE."  397 

Punderson,  the  second  son  of  the  Rev.  Ebenezer,  was  born  at 
North  Groton,  Conn.,  April  17th,  1737,  educated  at  Yale,  and 
was  admitted  Master  of  Arts  of  Kings  College,  N.  Y.,  in  175S. 
He  entered  the  medical  profession,  and  married  Catharine,  el- 
dest daughter  of  Dr.  George  Muirson,  (only  son  of  the  Rev. 
George  Muirson,  second  Rector  of  this  Parish,)  by  whom  he  left 
issue,  six  children,  viz  :— Elizabeth,  George  Muirson,  Cyrus  Mi- 
ner, Thomas,  Anna,  and  Gloriana.  The  latter,  who  was  born 
August  9th,  1778,  and  married  Capt.  Jedediah  Hart,  is  still  liv- 
ing at  Setauket.  Dr.  Punderson  died  at  New- York,  January 
10th,  1789,  and  was  buried  beside  his  wife,  under  Caroline 
Church,  Setauket,  Long  £sland.a 

Upon  the  19th  day  of  December,  1764,  Grace  Church,  Rye, 
received  the  following  charter  from  King  George  the  Third  :— 

ROYAL  CHARTER  OP  GRACE  CHURCH,  RYE. 

"  George  the  Third,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  Prance  and  Ire- 
land, King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  and  so  forth,  To  all  to  whom  these  presents 
shall  come,  greeting:  "Whereas  our  loving  subjects,  Peter  Jay,  Elisha  Budd 
Christopher  Isinghart,  Timothy  Wetmore,  Caleb  Purdy,  Joshua  Purdy,  John 
Guion,  Joseph  Purdy,  Gilbert  Willet,  John  Carhart,  Thomas  Sawyer,  Gilbert 
Brundige,  John  Thomas,  William  Sutton,  Anthony  Miller  and  John  Adee,  in- 
habitants of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  in  our  province  of 
New- York,  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established  ;  by 
their  humble  petition  presented  on  the  sixteenth  day  of  November  last  past,  to  our 
trusty  and  well  beloved  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esquire,  our  Lieutenant  Governour 
and  Commander  in  chief  of  our  Province  of  New- York  and  the  territories  de- 
pending thereon  in  America,  in  Council,  did  set  forth  that  the  inhabitants  of  the 
said  Parish  of  Rye,  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  bv  law  established, 
have  by  voluntary  contributions  erected  and  finished  a  decent  and  convenient 
church  in  the  town  of  Rye,  in  the  said  Parish,  for  the  celebration  of  divine  service, 
according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Church  of  England,  but  that  from  a 
want  of  some  persons  legally  authorized  to  superintend  the  same  and  manage  the 
affairs  and  interests  thereof,  the  said  church  is  greatly  decayed,  and  the  petitioners 
discouraged  from  contributing  to  the  repair  thereof,  least  the  money  given  for 
that  purpose  may  be  mis-applied,  and  that  on  that  account  also,  charitable  and  well 
disposed  people  are  discouraged  in  their  design  of  establishing  proper  funds  for 
the  future  support  of  the  said  church  and  the  better  maintenance  of  the  ministry, 


*  Kindly  furnished  by  the  Rev.  F.  M.  Noll,  Rector  of  Setauket. 


303  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

and  therefore  humbly  prayed  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  said  Parish  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established, 
our  letters  patent  incorporating  them  and  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  said 
Parish  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  for  the 
time  being,  a  body  corporate  and  politick,  with  such  rights,  privileges,  and  immu- 
nities, as  should  appear  proper  and  expedient  to  answer  the  purposes  aforesaid. 
Now,  We  being  willing  to  encourage  the  pious  intentions  of  our  said  loving  sub- 
jects and  to  grant  this  their  reasonable  request,  Knew  Ye,  that  of  our  espe- 
cial grace,  certain  knowledge  and  mere  motion,  we  have  ordained,  given,  grant- 
ed and  declared,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs,  and  successors,  do  ordain, 
give,  grant  and  declare,  that  they  the  said  petitioners  and  the  rest  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  said  Parish  of  Rye  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by 
law  established,  and  their  successors  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  Parish  of  Rye  in 
communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  with  the  rector  of 
the  said  Parish  of  Rye  for  the  time  being,  for  ever,  shall  forever  hereafter  be  one 
body  corporate  and  politick  in  deed,  fact  and  name,  by  the  name,  stile  and  title  of 
the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  in  communion  of  the  Church  of 
England  as  by  law  established,  and  them  and  their  successors  by  the  same  name, 
we  do  by  these  presents,  for  us  our  heirs  and  successors  really  and  fully  make; 
erect,  create  and  constitute  one  body  politick  and  corporate  indeed,  fact  and  name 
for  ever,  and  will,  give,  grant,  and  ordain,  that  they  and  their  successors,  the  rec- 
tor and  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Rye  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England 
as  by  law  established,  by  the  same  name  shall  and  may  have  perpetual  succes- 
sion, and  shall  and  may  be  capable  in  law  to  sue  and  be  sued,  implead  and  be 
impleaded,  answer  and  be  answered  unto,  defend  and  be  defended  in  all  courts 
and  elsewhere,  in  all  manner  of  actions,  suits,  complaints,  pleas,  causes,  matters 
and  demands  whatsoever,  as  fully  and  amply  as  any  other  our  liege  subjects  of 
our  said  Province  of  New- York  may  or  can  sue  or  be  sued,  implead  or  be  im- 
pleaded, defend  or  be  defended,  by  any  lawful  ways  or  means  whatsoever,  and 
that  they  and  their  successors  by  the  same  name  shall  be  tor  ever  hereafter  capa- 
ble and  able  in  the  law  to  purchase,  take,  hold,  receive,  and  enjoy  any  mes- 
suages, tenements,  houses,  and  real  estate  whatsoever,  in  fee  simple,  for  term  of 
life  or  lives,  or  in  any  other  manner  howsoever,  for  the  use  of  the  said  church, 
and  also  any  goods,  chattels,  or  personal  estate  whatsoever;  Provided  always,  that 
the  clear  yearly  value  of  the  said  real  estate  (exclusive  of  the  said  church  and  the 
ground  whereon  the  same  is  built  aad  the  cemetery  belonging  to  the  same)  doth 
not  at  any  time  exceed  the  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds  current  money  of  our  said 
province,  and  that  they  and  their  successors  by  the  same  name  shall  have  full 
power  and  authority  to  give,  grant,  sell,  lease  and  dispose  of  the  same  real  estate 
for  life  or  lives,  or  years,  or  for  ever,  under  certain  yearly  rents,  and  all  goods, 
chattels  and  personal  estate  whatsoever,  at  their  will  and  pleasure,  and  that  it  shall 
and  may  be  lawful  for  them  and  their  successors  to  have  and  use  a  common  seal, 
and  our  will  and  pleasure  further  is,  and  we  do  hereby  for  us,  our  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors, ordain  and  appoint  that  there  shall  be  for  ever  hereafter  belonging  to  the 
said  church,  one  rector  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  duly 
qualified  for  the  cure  of  souls,  two  churchwardens  and  eight  vestrymen,  who  shall 


AND  CHURCH  OP  RYE.  309 

conduct  ami  manage  the  affairs  and  business  of  the  said  church  and  corporation 
in  mariner  as  hereafter  is  declared  and  appointed,  and  for  the  more  immediate 
carryiig  into  execution  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  herein,  we  do  hereby  assign, 
constitute  and  appoint  Peter  Jay  and  Elisha  Budd  to  be  present  churchwardens, 
and  John  Thomas,  Joshua  Purdy.  Christopher  Isinghart,  William  Sutton,  John 
Adee,  Caleb  Pardy,  Anthony  Miller  and  Timothy  Wetmore,  to  be  the  present  ves- 
trymen of  the  said  church,  who  shall  hold,  possess,  and  enjoy  their  said  respective 
offices  until  Tuesday  in  Easter  week,  which  shall  come  and  be  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  sixty-six,  and  for  the  keeping  up  the  succes- 
sion in  the  said  offices,  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  establish, 
direct  and  require,  that  on  the  said  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  in  the  said  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  sixty-six,  and  yearly  and  every  year 
thereafter  for  ever,  on  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  in  every  year,  the  rector  and 
inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Rye  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by 
law  established,  shall  meet  at  the  said  church,  and  there  by  the  majority  of  voices 
of  such  of  them  as  shall  so  meet,  elect  and  choose  two  of  their  members  to  be 
churchwardens,  and  eight  others  of  their  members  to  be  vestrymen  of  the  said 
church  for  the  ensuing  year,  which  said  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  so  elected 
and  chosen,  shall  immediately  enter  upon  their  respective  offices,  and  hold,  exer- 
cise and  enjoy  the  same  respectively  from  the  time  of  such  elections  for  and  du- 
ring the  space  of  one  year,  and  until  other  fit  persons  shall  be  elected  and  chosen 
in  their  respective  places,  and  in  case  the  churchwardens  or  vestrymen,  or  either 
of  them,  by  these  presents  named  and  appointed  or  which  shall  be  hereafter  elect- 
ed and  chosen  by  virtue  of  these  presents,  shall  die  or  remove  from  the  said  Par- 
ish of  Rye  before  the  time  of  their  respective  appointed  services  shall  be  expired, 
or  refuse  or  neglect  to  act  in  the  office  for  which  he  or  they  is  or  are  herein  nomi- 
nated and  appointed,  or  whereunto  he  or  they  shall  or  may  be  so  elected  and 
chosen,  then  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  hereby  direct,  ordain  and 
require  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Rye  in  communion  as  aforesaid, 
for  the  time  being  to  meet  at  the  said  church,  and  choose  other  or  others  of  their 
members  in  the  place  and  stead  of  him  or  them  so  dying,  removing  or  refusing  to 
act  within  thirty  days  next  after  such  contingency,  and  in  this  case  for  the  more 
due  and  orderly  conducting  the  said  elections  and  to  prevent  any  undue  proceedings 
therein,  wo  do  hereby  give  full  power  and  authority  to,  and  ordain  and  require  that 
the  rector  and  the  said  churchwardens  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  any 
two  of  them,  shall  appoint  the  time  for  such  election  and  elections,  and  that  the  rec- 
tor of  said  church,  or  in  his  absence,  one  of  the  said  churchwardens  for  the  time  being, 
shall  give  public  notice  thereof  by  publishing  the  same  at  the  said  church,  imme- 
diately after  divine  service  on  the  Sunday  next  proceeding  the  day  appointed  for  such 
election,  hereby  giving  and  granting  that  such  person  or  persons  as  shall  be  so 
chosen  from  time  to  time  by  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  said  Parish  of  Rye  in 
communion  as  aforesaid,  or  the  majority  of  such  of  them  as  shall  in  such  case  meet 
in  manner  hereby  directed,  shall  have,  hold,  exercise  and  enjoy  such  the  office  or 
offices  to  which  he  or  they  shall  be  so  elected  and  chosen  from  the  time  of  such  elec- 
tion, until  the  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  thence  next  ensuing,  and  until  other  or  others 


310  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

be  legally  chosen  in  his  or  their  place  or  stead,  as  fully  and  amply  as  the  person  or 
persons  in  whose  place  he  or  they  shall  he  chosen  might  or  could  have  done  hy  vir- 
tue of  these  presents  ;  and  we  do  hereby  will  and  direct  that  this  method  shall  for  ever 
hereafter  be  used  for  the  filling  up  all  vacancies  that  shall  happen  in  either  the  said 
offices  between  the  annual  elections  above  directed  ;  and  our  royal  will  and  pleasure 
further  is,  and  we  do  hereby  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant  that  as 
well  the  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  in  these  presents  nominated  and  appointed, 
as  such  as  shall  from  time  to  time  be  hereafter  elected  and  chosen  as  is  herein  directed, 
shall  have  and  they  are  hereby  invested  with  full  power  and  authority  to  execute  their 
several  and  respective  offices  in  as  full  and  ample  manner  as  any  churchwardens  or 
vestrymen  in  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England,  or  in  this 
our  province  of  New- York,  can  or  lawfully  may  execute  their  said  respective  offices  ; 
and  further  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our 
heirs  and  successors,  give,  grant,  ordain  and  appoint,  that  the  rector  and  the  said 
churchwardens  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  any  two  of  them,  shall  and 
may  from  time  to  time,  as  occasion  shall  require,  summon  and  call  together,  at  such 
day  and  place  as  they  shall  think  proper,  the  said  rector,  churchwardens  and  vestry- 
men for  the  time  being,  to  meet  in  vestry,  giving  them  at  the  least,  one  day's  notice 
thereof,  and  we  hereby  require  them  to  meet  accordingly  :  and  we  do  hereby  give, 
grant  and  ordain,  that  the  said  rector  and  one  of  the  said  churchwardens  for  the  time 
being  at  least,  together  with  the  majority  of  the  said  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  for 
the  time  being,  being  met  in  vestry  as  above  directed,  shall  forever  hereafter  have* 
and  they  are  hereby  invested  with  full  power  and  authority  by  a  majority  of  their 
voices,  to  do  and  execute  in  the  name  of  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of 
Rye  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  all  and  singular, 
the  powers  and  authorities  hereinbefore  given  and  granted  to  the  said  rector  and  in- 
habitants of  the,  Parish  of  Rye  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law 
established,  any  wise  touching  or  relating  to  such  lands,  messuages  and  tenements, 
real  and  personal  estate  whatsoever,  as  they  the  said  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the 
Parish  of  Rye  in  communion  as  aforesaid,  shall  or  may  acquire  for  the  use  of  the  said 
church,  and  also  in  like  manner  to  order,  direct,  manage  and  transact  the  general  in- 
terest, business  and  affairs  of  our  said  corporation,  and  also  shall  have  full  power  and 
authority  in  like  manner  to  make  and  ordain  such  rules,  orders  and  ordinances  as 
they  shall  judge  convenient  for  the  good  government  and  discipline  of  the  members 
of  the  said  church,  provided  such  rules,  orders  and  ordinances  be  not  repugnant  to  the 
laws  of  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England,  or  of  this  our  pro- 
vince of  New-York,  but  as  near  as  may  be  agreeable  thereto,  and  that  the  same  be 
fairly  entered  in  a  book  or  books  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose  ;  and  also  in  like  man- 
ner to  appoint  the  form  of  the  common  seal  hereinbefore  granted,  and  the  same  to 
alter,  break,  and  new  make  at  their  discretion ;  and  also  in  like  manner  to  appoint 
such  officer  or  officers  as  they  shall  stand  in  need  of;  always  provided,  that  the  rector 
of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  nominating  and  ap- 
pointing the  clerk  to  assist  him  in  performing  divine  service,  as  also  the  sexton,  any 
thing  hereinbefore  contained  to  the  contrary  in  any  wise  notwithstanding ;  which 


AND   CHURCH   OF   RYE.  3U 

clerk  and  sexton  shall  hold  and  enjoy  their  respective  offices  daring  the  will  and 
pleasure  of  the  rector  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being.  And  whereas  by  the 
death  of  the  late#ministerof  the  said  church  the  same  is  now  in  avoidance,  our  royal 
will  and  pleasure  is,  that  in  this  case,  and  also  in  case  of  every  future  avoidance  of 
the  said  church,  either  by  the  death  of  the  rector  thereof  or  otherwise,  that  the  pow- 
ers and  authorities  hereby  vested  in  the  rector,  churchwardens  and  vestrymen,  in 
vestry  met  as  above  mentioned,  shall,  until  the  said  church  be  lega'ly  supplied  with 
another  incumbent,  vest  in  and  be  executed  by  the  said  churchwardens  of  the  said 
church  for  the  time  being  ;  provided  always,  they  have  the  concurrence  and  consent 
of  the  major  number  of  the  whole  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  appointed  by  these 
presents,  or  chosen  by  virtue  hereof,  for  the  time  being,  in  every  thing  they  shall  in 
such  case  do  by  virtue  hereof.  And  further,  we  do  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs 
and  successors,  give  and  grant  unto  the  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Rye  in 
communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  and  their  successors 
for  ever,  that  this  our  present  grant  shall  be  deemed,  adjudged  and  construed  in  all 
cases  most  favorably  and  for  the  best  benefit  and  advantage  of  the  said  rector  and  in- 
habitants of  the  Parish  of  Rye  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law 
established,  and  that  this  our  present  grant  being  entered  on  record  as  is  hereinafter 
particularly  expressed,  shall  be  good  and  effectual  in  the  law  to  all  intents,  construc- 
tions and  purposes  whatsoever,  against  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  according  to  our 
true  intent  and  meaning  herein  before  declared,  notwithstanding  the  not  reciting  or 
misreciting,  not  naming  or  misnaming  of  any  of  the  aforesaid  franchises,  privileges, 
immunities,  offices  or  other  the  premises,  or  any  of  them,  and  although  no  writ  of  ad 
quod  damnum,  or  other  writs,  inquisitions  or  precepts  hath  or  have  been  upon  this 
account  had,  made,  issued  or  prosecuted  ;  to  have  and  to  hold  all  and  singular  the 
privileges,  liberties,  advantages  and  immunities  hereby  granted  or  meant,  mentioned 
or  intended  so  to  be,  unto  them  the  said  rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Rye 
in  communion  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  and  to  their  succes- 
sors for  ever.  In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made 
patent,  and  the  great  seal  of  our  said  province  to  be  hereunto  affixed,  and  the  same  to 
be  entered  on  record  in  our  secretary's  office  ill  our  city  of  New-York,  in  one  of  the 
books  of  patents  there  remaining.  Witness,  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Cadwaliader 
Colden,  Esquire,  our  Lieutenant  Governour  and  Commander  in  chief  of  our  Province 
of  New- York,  and  territories  thereon  in  America,  at  our  Fort  in  our  city  of  New- 
York,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  our  Council  for  our  said  province,  the 
nineteenth  day  of  December,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand,  seven  hundred 
and  sixty-four,  and  of  our  reign  the  fifth.  First  skin,  line  the  fortieth,  the  words 
or  with,  and  second  skin,  line  the  twenty- seventh,  the  word  is  are  interlined. 

CLARKE.'" 

At  a  vestry  meeting,  for  this  Parish,  on  the  7th  of  May,  1765, 


Book  of  Commissions,  Secretary  of  State's  office,  Albany. 


312  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

it  was  "ordered  that  the  churchwardens  do  take  up  on  interest, 
the  sum  of  twenty-five  pounds  to  payoff  the  salary  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Punderson,  deceased,  in  case  his  widow  shall  give  security  that 
it  shall  not  be  hereafter  claimed  by  his  executors  or  other  per- 
sons as  his  estate." 

The  following  month  the  Society  were  favored  with  another 
letter  from  their  faithful  friend  and  schoolmaster  at  Rye  : — 

MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  June  1st,  1765. 

Rev.  Sir, 

"The  Venerable  Society  have,  doubtless, long  since  heard  that 
our  Parish  is  again  reduced  to  the  melancholy  state  of  being 
without. a  minister,  exposed  to  the  infection  of  schism,  irreligion, 
profaneness,  and  deism,  or  rather  atheism.  Mr.  Smith,  some- 
thing of  a  popular  dissenting  preacher,  is  again  introduced  into 
Rye  and  the  White  Plains.  I  am  sorry  to  say  it,  I  think  the 
appearances  of  religion,  are  not  so  favourable  as  they  have  here- 
tofore been,  and  though  the  necessity  is  so  great,  the  neighbour- 
ing clergy  are  so  attached  to  their  proper  missions,  that  we  have, 
not  had,  I  think,  the  sacrament  but  once,  and  but  two  sermons 
preached  in  our  Parish,  since  the  death  of  Mr.  Punderson. 
This  being  the  melancholy  state  of  the  Church,  and  many  mani- 
festly verging  towards  an  indifferency  about  public  worship ;  to 
prevent  which,  and  the  dreadful  consequences  thereof,  and  also 
to  prevent  as  far  as  lay  in  my  power,  as  many  as  possible  from 
being  habituated  to  the  dissenting  meeting,  taverns,  and  sloth- 
fulness  on  the  Lord's  Day,  vices  to  which  many  of  our  people 
are  too  much  addicted,  and  which  Mr.  Punderson's  successor 
might  be  obliged  to  struggle  hard  with  before  he  would  be  able 
to  master,  as  also  that  we  may  have  an  opportunity  of  publicly 
adoring  our  great  Creator,  Redeemer  and  Sanctifyer  ;  I  have 
presumed  again  to  enter  the  sacred  desk  and  read  prayers  at 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  313 

Rye  and  the  White  Plains,  and  elsewhere,  occasionally,  and 
such  sermons,  as  I  think,  are  best  calculated  for  these  purposes, 
and  to  propagate  the  great  doctrines  and  practice  of  Christians  ; 
and  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  think  that  my  weak  endeavours 
are  not  without  a  blessing  ;  many  profess  to  be  pleased,  and 
established  and  comforted  thereby  in  the  blessed  hopes  of  the 
Gospel. "a 

Upon  the  2nd  of  June,  1765,  the 

REV.  EPHRAIM  AVERY,  A.  M., 

was  licensed  and  appointed  to  the  vacant  mission  of  Rye.  He 
was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Avery,  whose  ancestors, 
originally  seated  at  Wells,  in  Somersetshire,  were  among  the 
early  settlers  of  New  England. b  His  father  was  installed  pas- 
tor of  the  Second  Congregational  Society,  at  Pomfret,  Windham 
County,  Conn.,  Sept.  4th,  1735,  and  died  Oct.  20th,  1754. <=  His 
mother,  Deborah,  in  1765  married  the  distinguished  patriot, 
General  Israel  Putnam,  who  died  in  1794 ;  she  died  at  his  head- 
quarters, in  the  Highlands,  in  1777,  and  was  interred  in  the 
family  vault  of  the  well  known  Col.  Beverly  Robinson.  Mr. 
Avery  was  born  in  Pomfret.  on  the  13th  of  April,  1741, d  and 
graduated  at  Yale,  in  1761.  Soon  after  he  left  college,  he  went 
into  New  Jersey  and  taught  school  there,  at  a  place  called 
Second  River,  in  the    township  of  Newark. e      The    Society's 


»  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Pulham,  vol.  ii.,  pp.  392,  393.   (Hawks'.) 

b  William  Avery  received  a  grant  of  land,  at  Ipswich,  in  1638.  John  Avery, 
of  Boston,  died  31st  of  July,  1651.  Christopher  Avery  was  a  selectman,  of 
Gloucester,  in  161(5.  The  arms  of  Avery,  of  Wells,  are  :— gu.  a  chev.  between 
three  bezants.     Crest — two  lions  gambs,  or,  supporting  a  bezant. 

c  Trumbull's  History  of  Connecticut,  vol.  ii.,  p.  532. 

d  "  Ephraim  Avery  and  Samuel  Avery,  sons  of  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Avery,  by 
Deborah  his  wife,  were  born  April  the  13th,  1711."— Extract  from  the  Records 
of  the  town  of  Pomfret,  Windham  County,  Conn.  Ephraim  and  Samuel 
Avery,  twin  sons  of  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Avery,  were  baptized  at  Pomfret,  Sunday 
April  19th,  1741.— Record  of  the  1st  Ecclesiastical  Society  of  Pomfret. 

e  Fowler's  MSS.,  vol.  iv.,  p.  726. 


314  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Abstracts  for  1763,  say: — «  The  Rev.  Isaac  Brown,  the  Society's 
missionary,  at  Newark,  in  his  letters,  dated  October  6th,  1762, 
and  April  6th,  1763,  acquaints  the  Society  that  Mr.  Avery,  a 
young  gentleman,  graduated  at  Yale  College,  has  taken  care  of 
the  school  at  Second  River,  from  Dec.  1st,  1761,  and  proposes 
to  continue  it  upon  the  encouragement  of  the  Society's  bounty 
and  some  allowance  from  the  inhabitants.  The  Society  have  in 
consequence  of  Mr.  Brown's  recommendation,  appointed  Mr. 
Avery  schoolmaster  at  Second  River,  with  the  usual  salary,  and 
given  him  leave  to  draw  for  the  same  from  Christmas,  1761."a 
Whilst  laboring  here,  he  turned  his  attention  to  theology,  in 
which  he  made  good  proficiency,  and  was  considered  a  very 
promising  young  man.  He  then  went  to  England  for  holy 
orders,  and  was  ordained  deacon  and  priest  by  Dr.  Hinchman, 
Bishop  of  London. b  From  the  Society's  Abstracts  for  1765,  we 
learn,  that  "  Mr.  Ephraim  Avery,  being  well  recommended  to 
the  Society,  by  the  clergy  in  New  Jersey,  and  others,  and  found 
worthy  by  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  to  be  admitted  into  holy 
orders,  is  appointed  to  the  vacant  mission  of  Rye,  to  which  he 
has  since  been  inducted  by  the  Governour."c 

At  a  meeting  of  the  vestry  of  this  Parish,  held  on  the  24th  day 
of  August,  1765,  "Mr.  Jay  presented  a  letter  to  the  church- 
wardens and  vestrymen  from  the  Honourable  Society,  acquaint- 
ing them  that  the  Society  had  appointed  the  Rev.  Ephraim 
Avery,  to  be  rector  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Rye.  Upon  reading 
the  letter  the  vestry  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  house  of  Jotham 
Wright,  on  the  27th  inst.,  at  2  o'clock,  in  the  afternoon." 

"Pursuant  to  adjournment, there  met  and  was  present,  this 27th 
of  August,  1765,  James  Horton,  Jr.,  Samuel  Purdy,  William 
Griffen,  liobert  Bloomer,  Timothy  Wetmore  and  Roger  Parke,  Jr. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Avery  having  relinquished  all  claim  to  the 
salary  due  from  the  Parish,  since  the  death  of   the  Rev.   Mr. 


*  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  from  Feb.  18,  17G3  to  Feb.  17, 1764. 

t>  Fowler's  MSS. 

c  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  for  1765. 


AND   CHURCH  OF  RYE.  315 

Punderson,  to  this  day,  which  he  signifies  by  subscribing  his 
hand  hereunto  ;  the  vestry  gave  him  a  call,  and  a  presentation  to 
the  Hon.  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Governour  of  the 
Province  of  New- York,  to  induct  him  accordingly."51 

LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOUR  COLDEN'S  ADMISSION  OF 
MR.  AVERY  TO  BE  RECTOR  OF  THE  PARISH  CHURCH 
OF  RYE,  &c. 

"  I,  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esa.,  His  Majesty's  Lieutenant  Governour  and 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New-York  and  the  Territories  depending 
thereon  in  America,  Do  admit  you,  Ephraim  Avery,  Clerk,  to  be  Rector  of  the 
Parish  Church  of  Rye,  commonly  called  Grace  Church,  and  of  the  Parish  of 
Rye,  including  the  several  Districts  or  Precincts  of  Rye,  Mamaroneck  and  Bed- 
ford, in  the  County  of  Westchester,  within  the  said  Province.  Given  under  my 
hand  and  the  prerogative  seal  of  the  Province  of  New- York,  at  Fort  George,  in 
the  City  of  New- York,  the  9th  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-five. 

CADWALLADER  COLDEN."b 

LETTERS  OF  INSTITUTION  BY  LIEUTENANT  GOVER- 
NOUR   COLDEN    TO   MR.  AVERY. 

<:  I,  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esa.,  His  Majesty's  Lieutenant  Governour  and 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New- York  and  the  Territories  depend- 
ing thereon  in  America,  Do  Institute  you,  Ephraim  Avery,  Clerk,  Rector  of  the 
Parish  Church  of  Rye,  commonly  called  Grace  Church,  and  of  the  Parish  of 
Rye,  including  the  several  Districts  or  Precincts  of  Rye,  Mamaroneck  and  Bed- 
ford, in  the  County  of  Westchester,  in  the  said  Province,  to  have  the  care  of  the 
souls  of  the  Parishioners  of  the  said  Parish,  and  take  your  cure  and  mine.  Given 
under  my  hand  and  the  prerogative  seal  of  the  Province  of  New-York,  at  Fort 
George,  the  9th  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  sixty-five. 

CADWALLADER  COLDEN." 

MANDATE  FROM  LIEUTENANT  GOVERNOUR  COLDEN  TO 
INDUCT  MR.  AVERY  INTO  THE  RECTORSHIP  OF  THE 
PARISH  OF  RYE. 

"The  Honourable  Cadwallader    Colden,  Esq.,  His  Majesty's  Lieutenant 


■  Church  Records  of  Rye. 

b  Book  of  Commissions,  Secretary  of  State's  Office,  Fol.  v,  297. 


316  HISTORY  OF   THE  PARISH 

Governour  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New- York,  and  the  Terri- 
tories depending  thereon  in  America.  To  all  and  singular,  Rectors  and  Parish  Min- 
isters whatsoever  in  the  Province  of  New- York,  and  to  Peter  Jay  and  Elisha  Budd, 
the  present  Churchwardens  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  in  the  County  of  Westchester, 
and  to  the  Vestrymen  of  the  said  Parish  and  to  each  and  every  of  you  Greeting  : 
Whereas,  I  have  admitted  our  beloved  in  Christ,  Ephraim  Avery,  Clerk,  to 
the  Rectory  of  the  Parish  Church  of  Rye,  commonly  called  Grace  Church 
and  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  including  the  several  Districts  or  Precincts 
of  Rye,  Mamaroneck  and  Bedford,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  within  this 
Government,  to  which  the  said  Ephraim  Avery  was  presented  unto  me,  by  the 
Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  said  Parish,  the  true  and  undoubted 
patrons  of  the  said  Parish,  vacant  by  the  natural  death  of  Ebenezer  Punderson, 
the  last  incumbent  .there;  and  him,  the  said  Ephraim  Avery,  I  have  instituted  into 
the  Rectory  of  the  said  Parish  Church  and  Parish,  with  all  their  rights,  members 
and  appurtenances  observing  the  Laws  an. I  Canons  of  Right  in  that  behalf  re- 
quired and  to  be  observed.  To  you,  therefore,  jointly  and  severally  I  do  commit 
and  firmly  enjoining,  do  command  each  and  every  of  you,  that  in  due  manner 
him,  the  said  Ephraim  Avery,  or  his  lawful  proctor  in  his  name,  and  for  him, 
into  the  real,  actual  and  corporal  possession  of  the  Rectory  of  the  said  Parish 
Church  and  Parish,  including  the  Districts  or  Precincts  aforesaid,  and  of  all  their 
rights  and  appurtenances  whatsoever,  you  induct  or  cause  to  be  inducted,  and  him 
so  inducted  you  do  defend ;  and  of  what  you  shall  have  done  iu  the  premises 
thereof,  you  do  duly  certify  unto  me,  or  other  competent  judge  in  that  behalf 
when  thereunto  you  shall  be  duly  required.  Given  under  my  hand  and  the  pre- 
rogative seal  of  the  province  of  New- York,  at  Fort  George,  in  the  City  of  New- 
York,  the  9th  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  sixty-five. 

CADWALLADER  COLDEN."* 

On  the  21st  of  January,  1766,  the  vestry  of  the  Parish  "al- 
lowed to  the  Rev.  Ephraim  Avery,  for  his  service  as  rector  of 
the  Parish  of  Rye,  from  the  27th  day  of  August  last  to  the  1st  of 
January,  1766,  £16  13  4,  added  for  three  days  8s.  6d.;  and  rais- 
ed for  the  rector's  salary,  from  January  1st,  1766  to  January, 
1767,  the  sum  of  £50;"  also  ordered,  "That  the  Church 
warden,  Joshua  Purdy,  to  pay  unto  the  Rev.  Mr.  Avery,  £17 
Is.,  from  this  date,  till  paid  on  January,  1767."  "At  a  vestry 
meeting  held  on  the  18th  day  of  March,  1766,  the  justices 
and  vestry  agreed  to  raise  for  the  poor,  &c,  for  the  present  year, 


*  Book  of  Commissions,  Secretary  of  State's  Office,  Fol.  V.  297-8. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  317 

£150,  which   was  quoted   in   the   following  manner,  viz.  : — 

Rye,    -        -        -        -  £81  13  9 

White  Plains,  -         -  -        28     2  6 

Manor  of  Scarsdale,     -  -   20  10  0 

Mamaroneck,  -         -  -        14  13  9 

Bedford,      -  .      -        -  -    55  00  6 

North  Castle,  -         -  -        68  15  0 


£268  15  0"a 


Extract  of  a  letter  from 

MR.  AVERY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Rye,  March  25th,  1766. 

Rev.  Sir, 
"  I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  the  Venerable  Society,  that  the 
people  of  my  Parish  seem  to  be  under  very  peaceable  circum- 
stances, an  entire  harmony  subsisting  between  them  and  myself, 
especially  those  who  are  professors  of  tb.p.  Church  of  England, 
and  indeed,  the  other  party  are  very  quiet.  It  gives  me  a  good 
deal  of  satisfaction  to  find  my  people,  in  general,  much  more 
calm  with  respect  to  the  stamp  act  than  the  most  of  others  ;  'tis 
true,  they  esteem  the  act  rather  aggressive ;  but  to  resist  the 
higher  powers  in  a  rebellious  manner  they  think  not  only  un- 
lawful, but  unchristian.  In  this  Parish  are  at  present  about  forty 
communicants,  some  of  which  have  come  to  the  holy  ordinance 
since  my  resideuce  among  them,  and  many  more,  I  believe, 
would  soon  join  themselves,  could  their  too  scrupulous  con- 
sciences, be  fully  satisfied  in  a  few  points,  that  now  seem  to  be 
a  bar  in  their  way  ;  for  which  reason  I  would  beg  of  the  Ven- 
erable Society  a  few  pious  tracts  to  be  distributed  among  lhem.b 


»  Church  Records  of  Rye. 

fc  New-York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.     (Hawks'.) 


318  HISTORY  OF  TIIE  PARISH 

In  1767,  Mr.  Avery  received  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts, 
from  King's  College,  New- York,  a  literary  honor  which  he 
richly  deserved. 

Mr.  John  Rand  succeeded  Mr.  Timothy  Wetmore,  as  the 
Society's  schoolmaster  and  catechist  for  the  Parish,  in  1769.  He 
must  have  removed,  however,  the  same  year,  for  the  name,  of 
Mr.  John  Avery  occurs  on  the  Society's  list,  as  schoolmaster  at 
Rye,  in  1770,  with  a  salary  of  £10  per  annum.  In  1779,  Mr. 
Avery  left  his  school,  being  engaged  in  other  employments, 
whereupon,  Mr.  James  We'.more,  a  brother  of  the  former  school- 
master, was  appointed  to  the  office. 

In  1772,  Mr.  Avery  writes,  "  That  peace  and  unanimity 
subsists  between  him  and  his  people. "a 

The  Society's  Abstracts  for  the  year  1773,  say  : — "  two  letters 
have  been  received  from  Mr.  Avery,  whose  congregation  at  Rye, 
continues  as  usual,  ten  or  twelve  children  are  regularly  in- 
structed by  Mr.  Wetmore,  the  schoolmaster.  The  church  at 
North  Castle  which  hath  been  some  time  building,  is  in  a  tolera- 
bly decent  state.  Mr.  Avery's  notitia  stands  thus  : — baptized 
ninety  of  white  children  and  infants;  of  adults,  six  ;  of  black 
infants,  five  ;  marriages,  fifteen  ;  burials,  ten."b 

In  1774,  <;  Mr.  Avery  assures  the  Society  that  Mr.  Wetmore 
carefully  attends  upon  his  school ;  instructs  ten  or  twelve  ;  four 
children  upon  the  bounty  of  the  Society.  He  hath  baptized 
thirty-seven  white,  and  four  black  infants  and  four  white  adults  ; 
married  seven,  and  buried  five."c 

"Soon  after  this  the  clergy  of  the  Church  of  England  fell 
upon  troublous  times,  which  tried  to  the  utmost  the  firmness  of 
men,  and  often  excruciated  the  minds  of  the  scrupulous  and 
conscientious.  The  Revolutionary  War  broke  out,  threatening  an 
utter  disruption  of  the  ties  which  had  so  long  bound  the  colonies 
and  the  mother  country  together.     The  relations  of  the  clergy 


»  Printed  Abstracts  of  Veil.  Prop.  Soc.  from  Feb.  21st,  1772,  to  Feb.  19th,  1773. 
*  Ibid  from  Feb.  19th,  1773,  to  Feb.  18th,  1774. 
«  Ibid  from  Feb.  18th,  1774,  to  Feb.  17th,  1775. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  RYE.  319 

with  the  latter,  were  perhaps  of  a  more  close  and  enduring 
character  than  those  of  almost  any  other  class  of  men.  They 
were  for  the  most  part  employed  and  supported  by  the  Society 
at  home,  they  were  nurtured  in  sentiments  of  loyalty,  and  they 
could  not  bring  themselves  to  forsake  at  once,  and  forever,  the 
ruler  whom  God  in  his  providence  had  placed  over  them,  and 
whom  they  had  so  long  implored  him  to  prosper  and  bless. 

Whatever  may  be  politically  our  view  of  this  great  question, 
in  which  men  equally  good,  so  widely  differed,  we  must  at  least 
respect  the  scruples  which  no  worldly  considerations  ct'iild  over- 
come, and  which  led  to  the  sacrifice  of  home,  comfort  and 
wealth,  for  conscience'  sake.  With  these  qualifications,  I  trust 
that  [  shall  be  open  to  no  misconstruction,  in  the  unvarnished 
narrative  I  am  about  to  give." 

In  a  letter,  dated  October  31,  1776,  "Mr.  Inglis  assures  the  So- 
ciety, that  all  their  missionaries,  without  excepting  one,  in  New 
Jersey,  New- York,  Connecticut,  and  so  far  as  he  could  learn  in 
the  other  New  England  colonies,  had  proved  themselves  faith- 
ful, loyal  subjects  in  those  trying  times,  and  had  to  the  utmost 
of  their  power  opposed  the  spirit  of  disaffection  which  had  in- 
volved this  continent  in  the  greatest  calamities  ;  and  although 
their  joint  endeavours  could  not  prevent  the  rebellion,  yet  tor 
some  time  they  had  considerably  checked  it.  Amidst  all  the  suc- 
ceeding disorder  and  confusion,  they  went  on  steadily  with  their 
duty  in  their  sermons;  confining  themselves  to  the  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  without  touching  on  politics,  using  their  influence  to 
allay  political  heats  and  cherish  a  spirit  of  loyalty  among  their 
people.  This  conduct,  however  harmless,  gave  great  offence. 
They  were  every  where  threatened,  often  reviled  with  the  most 
opprobious  language  and  sometimes  treated  with  bru  tal  violence." 
He  then  goes  on  with  an  enumeration  of  the  many  instances  of 
insult,  outrage  and  wrong,  which  had  been  inflicted  on  his 
brethren  and  friends;  and  concludes  his  account  with  the  re- 
mark, "that  if  every  case  of  the  kind  could  be  faithfully  collect- 
ed, it  is  probable  that  the  sufferings  of  the  American  clergy 
might  appear  in  many  respects  not  inferior  to  those  of  the  same 


320  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

order  in  the  great  rebellion  of  the  last  century,  and  that  such  a 
work  would  be  no  bad  supplement  to  Walker's  Sufferings 
of  the  Clergy." 

"  Some  (say  the  Society's  Abstracts)  were  carried  prisoners  by 
armed  mobs  into  distant  provinces,  and  were  detained  in  close 
confinement  for  several  weeks.  Some  flung  into  jails  for  frivo- 
lous suspicious.  Some  obliged  to  fly  the  provinces,  have  been 
taken  prisoners  and  brought  back,  and  threatened  to  he  tried 
for  their  lives,  because  they  fled  from  dangers.  Some  have  been 
pulled  out  of  the  reading  desk,  because  they  have  prayed  for 
the  King,  and  that  before  Independency  was  declared.  Others 
have  been  warned  to  appear  at  militia  musters  with  their  arms, 
have  been  fined  for  not  appearing,  and  threatened  with  impris- 
onment. Others  have  had  their  houses  plundered,  and  their 
desks  broken  open,  under  pretence  of  their  containing  treason- 
able papers.  After  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  the  clergy 
were  greatly  embarrassed  to  officiate  publicly,  and  not  to  pray  for 
the  King,  according  to  the  Liturgy,  was  against  their  duty  and 
oath,  as  well  as  the  dictates  of  their  conscience  ;  and  to  use  the 
prayers,  would  have  drawn  on  them  inevitable  destruction. 
The  only  course  which  they  could  pursue,  to  avoid  both  evils, 
was  to  suspend  the  public  exercise  of  their  functions,  and  shut 
up  their  churches. "a  This  wasdonewithoutany  concert,  through- 
out the  whole  extent  of  the  above  mentioned  provinces.  The 
venerable  Mr.  Beach,  of  Newtown,  in  Connecticut,  is  alone  to 
be  excepted,  who  officiated  as  usual  after  Independency  was  de. 
clared  ;  and  upon  being  warned  of  his  danger,  he  said,  with 
more  firmness  and  spirit  than  prudence  and  discretion,  that  he 
would  do  his  duty,  and  pray  and  preach  for  the  King  till  they 
should  cut  out  his  tongue.  It  is  a  little  remarkable,  that  not- 
withstanding his  contumacy,  he  was  never  disturbed.15 

"The  persecutions  and  privations  to  which  the  clergy  were 


*  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc. 

b  Hist,  of  Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.,  by  Dr.  Berrian,  p.  141. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYK  321 

exposed  (says  Dr.  Hawkins)  in  the  war,  whether  from  the 
royalist  or  amerioan  armies,  proved  fatal  to  several  of  them. 
At  Rye,  Mr.  Avery  was  a  principal  sufferer.  His  horses  were 
seized,  his  cattle  driven  off,  and  his  property  plundered.  His 
death,  by  some  supposed  to  have  been  occasioned  by  these  loss- 
es, happened  soon  afterwards."3 

One  letter  from  Mr.  Avery,  dated  5th  June,  1776,  containeth 
nothing  material  ;  having  lost  the  use  of  his  right  hand,  he  was 
incapable  of  v/riting,  and  sent  no  account  of  the  state  of  his 
Parish.  "  Mr.  Wetmore  hath  diligently  attended  his  school, 
consisting,  in  the  course  of  the  year,  of  seventy-one  scholars, 
whom  he  instructs  to  the  satisfaction  of  their  parents."b 

The  Society's  Abstracts  for  1776,  say  : — "  By  a  private  letter, 
since  received  from  Mr.  Inglis,  it  appears  that  Mr.  Avery  was 
murdered  by  the  rebels0  in  a  most  barbarous  manner  on  the  3d 


•  Hist.  Not.  of  the  Miss,  of  the  Church  of  England,  by  Ernest  Hawkins,  B.  D. 
b  Printed.  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc,  from  16th  Feb.,  1776,  to  21st  Feb., 

1777.  The  Abstracts  for  1777,  say  :— "  Mr.  Wetmore,  the  Society's  schoolmaster 
at  Rye  ;  from  whom  three  letters  have  been  received  in  the  course  of  the  year 
acquaints  the  Society  that  in  October,  1776,  he  had  sixty  scholars,  but  was  then 
obliged  to  fly  to  N.  Y.,  leaving  his  numerous  family  in  the  power  of  the  rebels. 
From  Mr.  Wetmore's  last  letter,  it  appears  that  he  had  taken  a  school  on  L.  I. 
and  hath  fifty  scholars." 

•  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  from  16th  Feb.,  1776,  to  21st  Feb., 
1777. — Tradition,  however,  reports  that  Mr.  Avery  was  murdered  by  one  Harris 
an  Irish  Jesuit,  who  at  that  period  kept  a  private  school,  which  for  many  years 
stood  upon,  or  near  the  site  now  occupied  by  a  carriage  shed,  directly  opposite 
the  Church,  at  Rye.  It  is  said  that  frequent  discussions  on  religious  topics  ha& 
taken  place  between  them ;  on  these  occasions,  Mr.  Avery  was  always  observed 
to  maintain  his  argument  with  great  coolness  and  moderation,  while  his  antago- 
nist, who  was  naturally  of  a  violent  and  hasty  temper,  would  frequently  betray 
the  worst  feelings.  Under  the  garb  of  liberty,  the  murderer  waylaid,  and  shot 
his  innocent  and  defenceless  victim;  cut  his  throat,  and  dragged  him  into  the 
public  highway;  thus  adding  to  his  crime,  a  vile  attempt  to  defame  the  fair 
character  of  a  worthy  and  excellent  minister.  But  amid  the  turmoil  of  civil  war 
the  conscience-stricken  murderer  found  no  rest ;  he  wandered  from  place  to  place, 
entirely  dependant  on  the  charity  of  others,  and  finally  removed  into  the  State  of 
Ohio.  Not  long  afterward  he  was  tried  for  a  second  murder,  and  condemned  to 
expiate  his  crime  on  the  gallows.  According  to  an  account  of  his  execution, 
published  in  one  of  the  Ohio  papers  of  the  day,  on  the  bolts  being  drawn,  the  rope 


322  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

of  last  November,  for  refusing  to  pray  for  the  Congress,  his  body- 
having  been  shot  through,  his  throat  cut.  and  his  body  thrown 
into  the  public  highway." 

The  full  particulars  of  this  melancholy  event  are  thus  related 
by  Mr.  Seabury,  afterwards  Bishop  of  Connecticut. 

MR.  SEABURY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

New-  York,  March  29th,  1777. 

Rev.  Sir, 

"  When  I  last  wrote,  I  neglected  to  inform  the  Society  of  the 
death  of  their  missionary  at  Rye,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Avery.  With  re- 
gard to  the  circumstances  of  his  unfortunate  end,  I  can  now  only 
relate  what  has  been  commonly  reported. 

When  the  King's  army  were  about  to  leave  the  County  of 
Westchester,  the  latter  end  of  October  last,  one  brigade  under 
the  command  of  General  Agnew,  pushed  forward  about  two 
miles  beyond  Rye,  in  hopes  of  bringing  a  large  detachment  of 
the  rebel  army  which  lay  there,  to  an  engagement,  but  not  being 
able  to  come  up  with  them,  they  returned  on  a  Sunday  afternoon 
to  join  the  Royal  army  near  the  White  Plains.  That  evening, 
the  rebels  returned  to  Rye,  and  as  Mr.  Avery  and  many  of  the 
loyalists  had  shown  particular  marks  of  joy  when  the  King's 
troops  came  there,  they  became  very  obnoxious  to  the  rebels, 
who  showed  their  resentment  by  plundering  their  houses,  dri- 
ving off  their  cattle,  taking  away  their  grain,  and  imprisoning 
some  of  them.  Among  the  rest,  Mr.  Avery  was  a  sufferer,  and 
lost  his  cattle,  horses,  &c.  On  Tuesday  morning,  he  desired  a 
maid  servant  to  give  the  children  their  breakfast,  and  went  out. 


broke,  and  the  unfortunate  man  fell  to  the  ground.  While  in  this  distressing  situ- 
ation, he  entreated  the  officers  of  justice  to  spare  him  a  few  moments,  as  he  had 
something  further  to  communicate  ;  when  he  solemnly  declared  that  he  first  shot 
Mr.  Avery,  and  then  cut  his  throat." — Related  on  the  testimony  of  Mrs.  Wet- 
more  and  other  aged  inhabitants  of  this  Parish,  who  have  heard  their  parents 
speak  of  Barris,  and  remember  to  have  seen  an  account  of  his  execution  in  the 
papers  of  the  day. — Editor. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  323 

Sometime  after,  he  was  found,  some  say,  under  a  fence,  or  in  an 
out-house,  with  his  throat  cut,  either  dead,  or  just  expiring. a 
Many  people  are  very  confident  that  he  was  murdered  by  the 
rebels  ;  others  suppose  that  his  late  repeated  losses  and  disap- 
pointments, the  insults  and  threats  of  the  rebels,  and  the  ab  - 
sence  of  his  best  friends,  who  had  the  day  before,  gone  off  for 
fear  of  the  rebels,  drove  him  into  a  state  of  desperation  too  se- 
vere for  his  strength  of  mind.  He  had  last  spring,  a  stroke  of 
the  palsy,  which  deprived  him  of  the  use  of  one  hand,  and  af- 
fected his  reason  a  good  deal.  He  also  about  the  same  time  lost 
his  wife,  a  prudent  and  cheerful  woman,  which  affected  him  so 
much,  that  when  I  attended  at  her  funeral,  I  did  not  think  it 
right  to  leave  him  suddenly,  but  tarried  with  him  several  days 
till  he  was  more  composed.  I  visited  him  again  a  fortnight  af- 
ter, and  found  him  much  better,  and  would  have  repeated  my 
visits,  but  the  times  became  too  critical  to  admit  of  it.  He  has 
left  five  or  six  helpless  orphans,  I  fear  in  great  distress  ;  indeed 
I  know  not  what  is  to  become  of  them  ;  I  have  only  heard  that 
•the  rebels  had  humanity  enough  to  permit  them  to  be  carried 
to  Mr.  Avery's  friends  at  Norwalk,  in  Connecticut."11 

From  the  above  letter,  it  appears  that  Mr.  Avery's  death  took 
place  on  Tuesday,  November  5th,  1770.  He  had  been  rector  of 
Rye  nearly  eleven  years,  and  was  the  sixth  minister  who  died 
incumbent  of  this  Parish.  His  remains,  with  those  of  his  wife 
repose  in  the  burying  ground  belonging  to  the  Church,  on  the 
opposite  side  of  Blind  brook. 

"  There  the  weary  are  at  rest." 

The  inscription  on  the  tombstone  of  Mrs.  Avery  is  as  fol- 
lows : — 


•  Mr.  James  Wetmore  writing  to  the  Secretary  from  New- York,  January  10th , 
1777,  says: — "Our  unfortunate  minister,  Mr.  Avery,  was  found  dead  near  his 
house,  the  beginning  of  November  last."— New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at 
Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  609.     (Hawks'.) 

*  New- York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  614.    (Hawks'.) 


324  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

SACRED 

to  the   Memory  of  Mrs.  Hannah, 

late  Consort  of 

the  Rev.  Ephraim  Avery, 

who  having  lived  greatly 

beloved,  Died  universally 

lamented,  after  six  weeks 

excruciating  pain  on  ye  13th 

Day  of  May,  A.  D.  1776  in  ye 

39th  year  of  her  Age. 

Blessed  are  the  dead 

who  die  in  the  Lord. 

The  Mission  of  Rye,  (say  the  Society's   Abstracts)  being  va- 
cated by  the  death  of  Mr.  Avery,  the 

REV.  ISAAC  HUNT,  A.  M., 

who  had  been  lately  ordained  by  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London, 
as  a  missionary  to  Trinity  Bay,  Newfoundland,11  was  in  the 
month  of  March,  1777,  appointed  missionary  to  Rye,  with  a 
salary  of  £40  per  annum."b  He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Isaac 
Hunt,  Rector  of  St.  Michael's,  in  Bridgetown,  Barbadoes,  where 
he  was  born  in  1752.  On  his  father's  side,  his  ancestors  were 
Cavaliers,  who  tied  from  the  tyranny  of  Cromwell,  and  settled 
in  Barbadoes.  For  several  generations,  they  were  clergymen. 
He  was  intended  for  the  same  profession,  but  being  sent  to  col- 
lege at  Philadelphia,  he  there  commenced,  on  the  completion  of 
his  studies,  as  a  lawyer,  and  married.  He  took  the  degree  of 
Master  of  Arts,  both  in  Philadelphia  and  New- York. c  It  was, 
again  curious,  that  the  Revolution  breaking  out,  the  conserva- 
tive propensities  of  the  family  broke  out  so  strong  in  him,  as 
to  cause  him  to  flee  for  safety  to  England,  as  his  ancestors  had 
formerly  fled  from  it.  He  had  been  carted  through  Philadel- 
phia by  the  infuriated  mob,  only  escaping  tarring  and  feather- 
ing by  a  friend  taking  the  opportunity  of  overturning  the  tar 


a  He  was  licensed  for  Trinity  Bay,  on  the  4th  of  March,  1777. 

b  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc'. 

«  He  was  graduated  A.  M.  at  Kings  College,  (now  Columbia)  in  1773. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  325 

barrel  set  ready  in  the  street,  and  being  consigned  to  the  prison, 
he  escaped  in  the  night  by  a  bribe  to  the  keeper. a 

Tn  1777,  he  was  ordained  deacon  and  priest  by  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Robert  Lowth,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  London,  and  in  the  month  of 
March  of  that  year,  appointed  missionary  to  Rye.  Whether  he 
ever  visited  his  mission,  we  have  no  means  of  ascertaining  ;  prob- 
ably the  troubles  of  the  Revolution  prevented  his  doing  so. 
His  name  appears,  however,  on  the  Society's  list  of  missiona- 
ries, until  February  20th,  1778. 

"Mr.  Hunt,"  says  Howitt,  '•'■  seems  to  have  been  one  of  those 
who  are  not  made  to  succeed  in  the  world.  He  did  not  obtain 
preferment,  and  fell  into  much  distress.  At  one  time  he  was  a 
very  popular  preacher,  and  was  invited  by  the  Duke  of  Chan- 
dos,  who  had  a  seat  near  Southgate,  to  become  tutor  to  his  ne- 
phew, Mr.  Leigh.  Here  he  occupied  a  house  at  Southgate,  call- 
ed Eagle  Hall ;  and  here  his  son,  the  poet,  was  born,  and  was 
named  after  Mr.  Leigh,  his  father's  pupil. "b  His  wife  was  Mary, 
daughter  of  Stephen  Shewell,  merchant,  of  Philadelphia,  whose 
sister  was  the  wife  of  Benjamin  West."c 

The  Rev.  Isaac  Hunt  died  in  1S09,  aged  57  years,  and  was 
buried  in  the  church  yaid  in  Bishopgate  street,  London. 

During  the  subsequent  years,  the  Parish  of  Rye  suffered  con- 
siderably from  the  confusion  that  attended  the  Revolutionary 
War.  The  Church  was  burned,  the  glebe  lands  hired  out  on 
terms  which  produced  but  a  small  income,  and  the  parishioners 
scattered."1 

"  The  Revolution,  (observes  the  late  Right  Rev.  J.  P.  K.  Hen- 


»  Howitt's  Homes  of  the  Poets,  and  Autobiography  of  Leigh  Hunt. 

b  Ibid.   Vol.  ii.  p.  399,  340.    See  Autobiography  of  Leigh  Hunt,  published  in 
1810. 

c  Sabine's  Hist,  of  American  Loyalists. 

d  The  last  meeting  of  the  Veitry  took  place  in  tlic  house  of  John  Doughty,  in 
Rye,  April  the  5th,  1776,  present— Lewis  McDonald,  Jan.,  and  Gilbert  Merritt, 
Esq'rs.,  Justices,  Joshua  Purdy  and  Jam:s  Horton,  Jan.    Churchwardens,  Gilbert 
Bloomer,   Stephen  Baxter,   Israel  Lyon,   Gilbert  Horton,  Joseph   Owens,  John 
Haight,  Joshua  Hunt,  and  Zene  Carpenter,  Vestrymen. 


326  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

shaw)  glorious  as  it  was  in  its  results  upon  our  civil  and  politi- 
cal interests  as  a  nation,  was.  for  a  time,  most  disastrous  to  the 
interests  of  our  Church.  After  the  storm  of  war  had  swept 
over  our  country,  it  was  found  to  have  left  in  its  train,  not  only 
scepticism  in  religion  and  looseness  of  morals  as  a  common  ca- 
lamity to  our  people,  but  as  most  of  ?he  clergy  of  our  commu- 
nion were  obliged  to  flee  on  account  of  their  attachment  to  the 
cause  of  a  sovereign  for  whom  they  had  been  bound  to  pray, 
the  Episcopalians  were  left  with  a  few  scattered  flocks,  wander- 
ing as  sheep  without  a  shepherd  ;  with  churches  deserted  and 
altars  desolate  ;  with  only  here  and  there  a  man  of  God  who 
dared  to  put  on  the  sacerdotal  garments  to  lead  their  devotions 
and  break  to  them  the  bread  of  life. 

Although  Washington  and  Lee  had  fought  our  battles,  though 
Duche  made  the  first  prayer  in  Congress,  and  White  was  its  reg- 
ular chaplain,  and  though  many  other  of  the  leading  spirits 
who  guided  the  Revolution,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  the  Re 
public,  were  sincere  Churchmen;  yet  in  the  view  of  the  multi- 
tude, Monarchy  and  Episcopacy  were  mseperable,  and  such  was 
the  bitterness  of  opposition  to  the  former,  that  the  latter  was 
scarcely  allowed  toleration. 

As  there  are  some,  in  our  day,  weak  or  wicked  enough  to  re- 
peat this  worn  out  appeal  to  vulgar,  political  prejudices,  it  may 
Hot  be  amiss  to  notice,  that  Washington,  Jefferson,  Madison, 
Monroe,  Jackson,  Van  Buren,  Harrison,  Tyler,  and  Taylor, 
among  our  Presidents ;  Henry,  Jay,  Hamilton,  Marshall,  and 
others,  among  our  departed  revolutionary  worthies,  were  atten- 
dants upon  the  services  of  our  Church  ;  and  Clay,  Webster, 
Badger,  Woodbury,  Kent,  Berrian,  and  others,  among  the  most 
distinguished  statesmen  and  jurists,  the  nation  has  ever  known, 
became  Churchmen  as  the  result  of  patient  inquiry  and  exami- 
nation. The  late  Rufus  King,  of  New- York,  on  his  death-bed, 
speaking  of  the  great  good  effected  by  the  Propagation  Society, 
said.  '  It  is  the  brightest  light  shining  in  the  candlestick  of  the 
Reformation.'  It  seems  almost  a  marvel  that  the  Church  was 
saved  from  extinction.  In  the  mercy  of  God,  it  was  so  saved  ;  and 
towards  the  close  of  the  last  century,  in  the  consecration  of  three 


AND  CHURCH  OP  RYE.  327 

Bishops  for  the  United  States-,  we  received  as  an  independent 
nation,  that  boon  which  had  been  denied  to  the  Colonies  for 
more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  years.  Thus  made  an  inde- 
pendent branch  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  having  organized 
an  ecclesiastical  union,  under  a  Constitution  and  Canons  closely 
resembling  the  fundamental  laws  of  the  Federal  Government, 
our  Church  began  to  '  lengthen  her  cords,  and  strengthen  her 
stakes.'  The  dominion  of  ignorance  and  bigotry  over  the  pub- 
lic mind  gradually  subsided.  The  Church,  freed  from  alliance 
with  all  human  sovereigns,  and  acknowledging  no  king  but 
Him  '  whose  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world,'  having  struck  its 
roots  into  the  soil,  and  demonstrated  its  congeniality  with  our 
free  institutions — took  an  attitude  to  demand  notice,  and  chal- 
lenged an  examination  of  her  claims."0- 

For  six  months,  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  Mr- 
Andrew  Fowler  read  prayers  and  sermons  in  the  parsonage 
every  other  Sunday,  and  collected  the  congregation  here  and  at 
White  Plains.b 

Upon  the  27th  of  April,  1785,  a  meeting  of  the  congregation 
of  the  Episcopal  Church  of  Rye,  was  called  at  the  house  of 
Mrs.  Tamar  Haviland,  when  the  following  persons  were  cho- 
sen trustees  to  take  charge  of  the  temporalities  of  the  Church, 
— John  Thomas,  Esq.,  William  Miller,  Esq.,  Col.  Gilbert  Budd, 
Mr.  Joshua  Purdy,  Mr.  John  Falconer,  and  Mr.  Isaac  Brown. 
William  Miller,  Esq.,  was  chosen  clerk. 

The  same  year,  the  trustees  hired  out  the  Church   glebe,  con- 


*  Discourse  delivered  in  Grace  Church,  Providence,  on  the  occasion  of  the 
Third  Jubilee  of  the  Soc.  for  the  Prop,  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  on  the 
First  Sunday  after  Trinity,  June  22d,  1851,  by  J.  P.  K.  Henshaw,  D.  D.,  Rec- 
tor of  said  Church,  and  Bishop  of  Rhode  Island. 

b  "  At  the  close  of  the  war,  (says  Mr.   Fowler)  I  collected  the  congregation 
there  and  at  the  White  Plains,  where  I  read  prayers  also,  every  other  Sunday 
Began  at  Rye  the  1st  Sunday  in  April,  1784.  (1th  of  April,)  and  at  White  Plains 
the  next  Sunday,  (11th  of  April.)     The  Church  was  burnt  by  the  British   i 
war."— Fowler's  MSS. 


328  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

sisting  of  the  lands  called  the  old  parsonage,  the  parsonage 
house,  and  the  lands  on  the  west  side  of  Blind  brook. 

The  following  year,  the  congregation  received  a  letter  from 
the  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  rector  of  Trinity  Church,  New- 
York,  Abraham  Beach,  and  Benjamin  Moore,  dated  April  17th, 
1786,  enclosing  the  journals  of  the  convention  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  held  in  Philadelphia,  September,  1785.  Upon 
the  reception  of  this  letter,  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  was 
called,  which  assembled  at  the  house  of  Mrs.  Haviland,  in  Rye, 
on  the  5th  of  May,  1786.  Mr.  Joshua  Purdy,  (the  last  senior 
warden  of  the  Parish,  prior  to  the  Revolution)  was  unanimously 
elected  president  of  the  meeting.  "  On  motion,  it  was  resolved 
to  take  the  sense  of  the  congregation,  whether  they  would  com- 
ply with  the  request  of  the  letter,  and  send  delegates  to  meet  in 
convention  at  St.  Paul's  Church,  in  New- York,  upon  the  third 
Tuesday  in  May  next.  The  sense  being  taken,  it  was  unani- 
mously agreed  to  send  delegates,  whereupon,  William  Miller, 
and  Alexander  Hunt,  Esq'rs.,  were  chosen  for  that  purpose." 

Upon  the  5th  of  September,  1787,  the 

REY.  RICHARD  CHANNING  MOORE,  A.  M.,  M.  D., 

was  elected  to  the  rectorship,  the  first  since  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Moore,  and  grandson  of  Colonel 
John  Moore,  of  Whitehall,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  where  he 
was  born  on  the  21st  of  August,  1762.  After  completing  his 
preparatory  education,  he  studied  medicine,  and  engaged  in  the 
practice  ol  the  healing  art  till  July,  1787  ;  at  which  period,  a 
desire  that  he  had  for  some  time  indulged  of  entering  the  sa- 
cred ministry,  was  gratified,  by  his  receiving  ordination  from 
the  hands  of  Bishop  Provoost,  as  deacon,  on  the  15th  of  July, 
and  priest,  on  the  22d  of  October,  1787.  He  was  admitted  at 
Columbia  College,  M.  A.,  in  1794,  and  D.  D.,  of  Washington, 
now  Trinity  College,  Hartford,  in  1S29. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  call  given  to  the  Rev.  Richard 
C.  Moore,  September  5th,  1787  : — 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  329 

Rev.  Sir, 

u  We,  the  Trustees  and  Members  of  Grace  Church,  in  the 
Parish  of  Rye,  and  County  of  Westchester,  stimulated  by  mo- 
tives of  sincere  affection  for  the  advancement  of  true  religion 
and  piety,  have  raised  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  by  subscrip- 
tion, to  afford  you  a  comfortable  maintenance,  and  have  thought 
pioper  to  adopt  this  mode,  by  which  to  solicit  your  acceptance 
of  the  Rectorship  of  the  said  Church,  formerly  relying  upon 
your  integrity  as  a  minister  of  that  sacred  gospel,  through 
which  we  hope  for  the  attainment  of  eternal  joy  and  happiness, 
and  duly  sensible  of  the  important  duty  required  of  us,  we  find 
ourselves  inclined  to  submit  the  care  of  our  spiritual  concerns 
to  you  as  shepherd  of  this  floclc,  and  sincerely  hope  that  by 
lives  of  virtuous  obedience  to  the  commands  of  the  Bishop  and 
shepherd  of  our  souls,  you  will  be  enabled  through  divine  as- 
sistance, to  present  us  without  spot  or  blemish,  into  the  arms  of 
the  Master  of  our  salvation. 

The  amount  of  the  salary  which  we  have  been  enabled  to 
raise,  is  £120  per  year,  which  for  your  convenience  we  have 
engaged  to  pay  at  different  periods.  Believe  us,  Rev.  Sir,  with 
the  most  sincere  wishes  for  your  present  and  future  happiness. 

Trustees. 
Joshua  Purdt,  William  Miller, 

Elisha  Purdy,  Thomas   Haight. 

Members. 

Peter  Jay,  Esq.,a         Alex.  Hunt,  John  Thomas,1* 

Ben.  Griffen,  John  Falconer,  Samuel  Purdy, 

Joseph  Budd,  Jona.  Hunt,  Isaac  Purdy. 

Roger  Purdy,  Moses  Purdy,  Daniel  Park, 

Jonathan  Purdy,         Joshua  Secor,  Jas.  Wetmore,0 


*  Son  of  Peter  Jay,  and  great  grandson  of  Pierre  Jay,  the  Huguenot. 
b  Sheriff  of  Westchester  County,  and  grandson  of  the  Rev.  John  Thomas,  one 
of  the  Ven.  Soc.  Missionaries. 
c  Second  son  of  the  Rev.  James  Wetmore. 


330 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PAPJSH 


Henry  Budd.  Tamar  Barker,    Thomas  Thomas."11 

Josiah  Brown,         John  Puruy. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  Grace  Church,  in  the  Parish 
of  Rye,  on  the  Tuesday  of  Easter  Week,  being  the  25th  of 
March,  1788,  and  the  day  appointed  by  Charter1*  for  the  elec- 
tion of  two  wardens,  and  eight  vestrymen,  to  take  into  charge 
the  temporalities  of  the  said  Church,  the  following  persons  were 
unanimously  chosen : — 

T  -r,  *     '      >  Churchwardens. 

Isaac  Purdy.  ) 

Joshua  Purdy,  Sen.,  ]  f  Thomas  Thomas, 

Jesse  Hunt,  Esq..,  I  Elijah  Purdy, 

.  T  >  Vestrymen.  <  T 

Andrew  Lyon,  ]  Joshua  Skcor, 

Thomas  Brown, 


CHRIST  CHURCH,  ERECTED  IN  1788. 

During  the  period  of  Mr.  Moore's  incumbency,  and  owing 
principally  to  his  unceasing  exertion,  the  present  church  was 
erected  in  place  of  the  old   stone  edifice.     At  a  vestry  meeting 

a  Major  General  Thomas  Thomas,  son  of  the  Hon.  John  Thomas,  a  distin- 
guished officer  of  the  Continental  army,  and  a  member  of  the  Legislatue  of  the 
State  of  New- York. 

b  See  the  .Charter  of  17G4. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  331 

held  in  the  month  of  March,  1788,  it  was  determined  by  that 
body  to  erect  a  new  church,  and  to  place  it  upon  the  hill,  on  or 
near  the  place  where  the  old  ruins  stood,  at  a  cost  of  $5,500.a 
The  following  items  are  taken  from  the  vestry  book  : — "  May, 
1788.  for  one  day  giting  boards  and  puling  down  the  old 
church,  5  shill^igs — To  one  day  clearing  rubbish  from  the  old 
church,  &c."  It  was  designed  at  first  to  have  erected  a  steeple  in 
place  of  the  present  tower,  as  appears  by  an  act  of  the  vestry, 
dated  Sept.  17th,  1791,  "  wherein  it  was  ordered  to  remove  the 
works  projected  for  a  steeple  on  the  lop  of  the  roof,  at  the  west 
end." 

Subsequently  the  pulpit  and  reading-desk  were  removed  from 
the  north  wall  of  the  church  to  the  east  end,  and  the  southern 
door  closed. 

Under  Mr.  Moore's  animated  exertions  for  the  benefit  of  his 
cure,  the  languid  hopes  of  the  people  began  to  revive,  and  the 
deranged  state  of  the  Parish  resumed  the  appearance  of  order 
and  prosperity,  but  as  he  continued  his  labours  here  but  one 
year  the  people  were  again  left  destitute  and  very  much  dis- 
couraged. 

At  a  vestry  meeting,  held  Friday,  August  the  first,  1788, 
"The  Rev.  Mr.  Moore  laid  before  the  house,  the  particular  ad- 
vantages arising  from  a  call,  which  he  had  received  on  the  17th 
inst.  from  Staten  Island,  in  consequence  of  which,  Mr.  Jay  re- 
quested him  to  leave  his  papers  and  to  withdraw,  in  order  to 
afford  the  wardens  and  vestry  an  opportunity  to  attentively  con- 
sider the  business,  when  after  an  hour  spent  in  deliberating 
upon  the  subject,  Mr.  Brown  requested  Mr.  Moore  to  attend,  at 
which  time  Mr.  Jesse  Hunt  informed  him,  that  the  vestry  was 
willing  to  give  him  a  dismission,  but  at  the  same  time  requested 

■  "  On  the  28th  of  March,  178S,  it  was  resolved  unanimously,  that  the  Church  be 
built  of  wood,  that  the  length  thereof  be  50  feet,  the  width  38  feet,  and  the  posts  20 
feet  high.  On  the  16th  of  April,  1788,  it  was  determined  by  the  Vestry  to  allow 
Mr.  James  Ford,  carpenter,  from  New-York,  the  sum  of  £120  for  erecting  and  en- 
closing the  church  without  a  steeple.  At  a  subsequent  meeting  it  was  resolved  to 
omit  the  gallery  on  the  east,  by  which  means  the  church  will  bo  rendered  lighter,  and 
the  altar  more  solemn  and  grand." 


332  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

him  to  continue  until  the  expiration  of  the  year,  commencing 
on  the  1st  of  Oct.,  '87— and  ending  the  1st  of  Oct.,  '88— which 
proposal  Mr.  Moore  readily  assented  to." 

The  following  notice  of  Mr.  Moore's  subsequent  career,  ap- 
peared in  the  Churchman  for  November,  1841  : — 

"  His  first  spiritual  charge  was  the  Church  in  Rye,  Westches- 
ter, New- York;  at  the  expiration  of  two  years  he  removed  to 
Staten  Island,  where  he  resided  twenty-one  years  and  where  his 
faithful  and  zealous  labours  were  most  remarkably  blessed  in 
the  conversion  of  sinners.  In  1S09  he  was  invited  to  the  rec- 
torship of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  in  the  City  of  New-York,  a 
small  Parish,  and  presenting  but  few  encouragements  to  useful- 
ness. So  signally  prospered,  however,  was  his  ministry,  that 
when  at  the  close  of  five  years  he  left  New- York  to  enter  on  the 
duties  of  his  Episcopate  in  Virginia,  the  communicants  added 
through  his  instrumentality,  numbered  between  four  and  five 
hundred. 

Bishop  Moore  was  the  cordial  choice  of  the  convention,  which 
on  the  5th  of  May,  1S14,  with  so  much  unanimity  invited  him 
to  the  Episcopal  charge  of  this  diocese,  and  was  consecrated  in 
New-York, on  the  18th  of  May,  1814,  by  Bishop  White,  assisted 
by  Bishop  Hobart,  Griswold  and  Dehon. 

In  regard  to  the  manner  in  which  he  discharged  the  responsi- 
ble functions  of  his  high  and  dignified  office  as  chief  pastor  of 
this  diocese,  we  do  not  propose  to  dwell.  It  is  generally  known 
how  entirely  he  possessed  the  respect,  confidence  and  love  of  his 
clergy  and  what  an  object  of  veneration  and  filial  affection  he 
was  universally  among  the  whole  people  of  his  Episcopal 
charge.  At  his  decease,  (11th  Nov.,  1811)  Bishop  Moore  was 
in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age  ;  in  the  fifty-fifth  of  his  ministry, 
and  the  twenty-eighth  of  his  Episcopate." 

From  the  month  of  Oct.,  17S8,  until  Nov..  1790,  the  Parish  re- 
mained destitute  of  a  settled  minister,  although  not  without  occa- 
sional services;  when  the 

REV.  DAVID  FOOTE,  A.  M., 

accepted  an  invitation  to  the  rectorship.    He  was  the  son  of  Asa, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  333 

and  grandson  of  Nathaniel,  the  fourth  in  descent  from  Nathaniel 
Foote,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Wethersfield,  Conn.a     He  was 
born  at  Colchester,  now  Marlborough,  Oct.  5th,  1760,  and  was 
graduated   M.  A.,  at  Dartmouth,  in  1778. b     Mr.  Foote  was  or- 
dained deacon  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Samuel  Seabury,  D.  D.,  Bishop 
of  Connecticut,  on  the  11th  of  June  ;  and  priest  on  the  22nd  of 
October,  1788.     In  1790  he  was  called  to  the  rectorship  of  this 
Parish.     At  a  meeting  of  the  wardens  and  vestrymen  of  Grace 
Church,  Rye,  Dec.  the   15th,  1790.  it  was  resolved, — "  that  we 
make  choice  of  the  Rev.  David  Foote,  to  act  as  rector  of  this 
Parish,  and  agree  to  pay  him  £100,  in  half  yearly  payments,  to- 
gether with  the  profits  of  the  glebe,  for  his  services,  one  year 
from  the  seventh  of  last  November,"  which  proposal  was  accept- 
ed by  Mr.  Foote.     Mr.  Foote  seems   to   have  retained  his  con- 
nection with  Bishop  Seabury;  always  attended  the  conventions 
of  Connecticut,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  Conven- 
tion in  1792.     His  name  is  entered  there  as  Daniel  Foote  and 
the  same  mistake  occurs  in   the  register  of  the  clergy,  in  the 
Journal  of  New- York,  in  1791,  and  also  in  the  Journal  of  the 
General   Convention  of   1792. c     He   continued    rector   of  this 
church  till  L 793,  when,  after  many  judicious  efforts  to   restore 
order  and  promote  both  the  spiritual  and  temporal  prosperiiy  of 
the  Parish,  in  the  morning  of  life  and  the  midst  of  his  usefulness 
he  was  called  from  the  field  of  labor  to  reap  an  eternal  reward. 
His  tombstone  bears  the  following  simple  inscription  : — 

In  memory 

of 

the  Rev.  Mr.  DAVID  FOOTE 

late  Pastor  at 

Rye  &  White  Plains, 

who  departed  this  life  the  1st  of  Aug:t. 

1793, 

aged  32  Years. 

Blessed  are  the  dead  who 

die  in  the  Lord. 

■  See  History  of  the  Foote  Family,  by  Nathaniel  Goodwin,  Hartford,  1849. 

k  Historical  notice  of  the  Clergy  ordained  by  Bishops  Seabury  and  Jarvis,  from 
Appendix  to  Conn.  Journal  of  Convocation.     No.  xxxiii. 

•  Historical  notice  of  Clergy  ordained  by  Bishops  Seabury  and  Jarvis,  Appendix 
to  Conn.  Journal  of  Convocation-     No.  xxxix 


334  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Upon  the  14th  of  June,  1792,  Mr.  Isaac  Purely  and  Captain 
Joshua  Purdy,  were  empowered  to  receive  of  the  executors  of 
Miss  Anna  Maria  Jay,  deceased,  a  legacy  of  £100,  given  by  her 
in  her  last  will  to  the  corporation  of  the  church  in  Rye,  and 
put  the  same  at  interest  on  good  security,  payable  in  one  year. 
This  sum  was  judiciously  appropriated  towards  enlarging  the 
glebe  lands  belonging  to  the  Parish.  Miss  Jay,  who  died  on  the 
4th  of  September.  1791,  was  the  daughter  of  Peter  Jay,  Esq., 
first  senior  warden  of  the  Parish  under  the  charter  of  1764. 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Foote  the 

REV.  JOHN  JACKSON  SANDS,  B.  A., 

was  called  to,  and  accepted  the  rectorship  in  1793.  He  was  the 
son  of  John  Sands,  by  Elizabeth  Jackson,  and  grandson  of  Col. 
John  Sands,  of  Cow  Neck,  L.  I.,  a  descendant  of  Capt.  James 
Sands,  who  emigrated  from  Berkshire,  England,  to  Plymouth 
Mass.,  in  l658.a  He  was  born  at  Cow  Neck,  25th  of  December 
1760,  and  was  educated  at  Hempstead,  under  the  tuition  of  the 
Rev.  Leonard  Cutting,  A.  M.,  the  rector  of  that  Parish.  He  was 
ordained  deacon  by  Bishop  Provoost,  in  1792,  and  soon  afterward 
appointed  minister  of  the  churches  at  Eastwood  and  Is  lip,  L.  I. 
from  whence  he  removed  to  this  Parish. 

The  sum  of  money  raised,  for  the  Rev.  John  J.  Sands,  as  a 
salary  for  preaching  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  at  Rye  and 
White  Plains,  was  £93  per  annum.  The  glebe  lands  of  the 
church,  at  this  time,  appear  to  have  been  very  unproductive,  so 
that  the  rector  was  principally  supported  by  public  subscription. 

In  1791,  it  was  determined  by  the  vestry,  to  change  the  name 
and  seal  of  the  church — accordingly,  at  a  meeting  of  that  body 


*  Capt.  James  Sands  was  born  at  Reading,  Berks,  A.  D.,  1622,  and  arrived  with 
Sarah,  his  wife,  at  Plymouth,  in  1658.  Shortly  thereafter,  he,  with  fifteen  others 
purchased  Block  Island,  and  removed  thither  from  Taunton.  He  died,  March 
13, 1695.  He  had  four  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  three  elder  brothers,  John, 
James  and  Samuel,  removed  to  Long  Island,  and  purchased  a  tract  of  land  on 
Cow  Neck,  since  called  Sands'  Point. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  335 

on  the  26th  of  January,  it  was  resolved  to  substitute  the  title 
Christ,  instead  of  Grace,  by  which  the  church  had  heretofore 
been  distinguished,  and  Mr.  Peter  Jay  was  requested  to  obtain 
a  new  seal."8 

The  old  parsonage  having  been  destroyed  by  fire  this  year, 
the  Vestry  resolved  to  purchase  the  house  and  land  of  Mr.  Isaac 
Doughty,  for  the  sum  of  £400.  A  subscription  was  accordingly 
set  on  foot  for  that  purpose. 

The  names  of  the  subscribers,  and  the;  amount  of  their  contri- 
butions, are  recorded  in  the  book  of  vestry  minutes.  One  half 
of  the  purchase  money  was  subsequently  paid  by  the  vestry, 
and  the  balance  in  May,  1795.  This  purchase  embraced  the 
glebe,  now  owned  by  the  church,  on  which  the  parsonage 
stands. 

Upon  the  4th  of  May,  1796,  Mr.  Sands,  in  consequence  'of 
some  dissatisfaction,  resigned  his  charge  as  rector  of  the  Parish. 
He  subsequently  abandoned  the  ministry  and  died  in  Brooklyn, 
not  long  since,  leaving  issue,  one  son,  John  Joseph,  and  a 
daughter. 

He  was  succeeded  in  November,  1796,  by  the 

REV.  GEORGE  OGILVIE,  B.  A. 

He  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Ogilvie,  D.  D.,  of  New- 
York,  by  his  wife  Catharine  Sims,  and  grandson  of  William 
Ogilvie,  youngest  son  of  Sir  Walter  Ogilvie,  Kn't,  afterward 
Baron    Ogilvie,   of  Deskford.b      His    grandfather  who  was   a 


a  Church  Records.— On  the  11th  of  September,  1794,  Mr.  Jay  presented  a  new 
seat  to  the  Church. 

k  The  noble  family  of  Ogilvie  has  given  rise  to  the  Lords  of  Findlater  and  Sea- 
field,  the  Barons  of  BaufF  and  other  eminent  houses  of  North  Britain.  Its  descent 
from  Dubican,  the  sou  of  Indechtraig,  Maormor,  or  Tliano  of  Angus,  who  died  iu 
930,  is  capable  of  proof.  The  more  recent  progenitor,  however,  was  James  Ogilvie, 
of  Cardell,  who  was  succeeded  by  his  grandson,  Sir  Walter  Ogilvie,  knight,  (sou  of 
Alexander,  by  Barbara,  daughter  of  Walter  Ogilby,  of  the  Boyne,)  who  was  elevated 
to  the  peerage  of  Scotland,  4th  Oct.,  161G,  by  the  title  of  Baron  Ogilvie,  of  Desk- 
ford.     His   lordship  married   first,  Agnes,  eldest    daughter  of  Robert  3d  Elphinston, 


336  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

native  of  Scotland,  came  to  this  country  about  the  middle  of 
the  last  century.  He  was  born  at  New-York,  October  16th, 
1758,  and  was  educated  at  King's  College,  where  he  graduated 
Batchelor  of  Arts,  in  1774.  During  the  Revolution  he  held  a 
commission  in  a  corps  of  loyalists;0-  and  at  the  peace  removed 
to  England.  He  subsequently  returned  to  his  native  country, 
studied  theology  under  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ogden,  of  Newark,  N.  J.? 
was  ordained  deacon  by  Bishop  Provoost,  in  Trinity  Church, 
New- York,  A.  D.,  1767,  and  priest  by  Bishop  Seabury,  October 
3rd,  1790.b  He  was  rector  of  Christ  Church,  New  Brunswick, 
from  his  ordination  to  1790,  and  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Norwalk, 
Conn.,  from  1790  to  1796,  when  he  was  called  to  this  Parish. 

At  a  vestry  meeting  held  in  the  town  of  Mamaroneck,  on  the 
26th  of  Oct.,  1796,  it  was  ordered  : — "  That  a  call  be  made  out 
and  delivered  to  Mr.  Ogilvie.  His  salary  to  consist  of  £110, 
yearly,  for  three  5  ears,  and  all  the  sums  of  money  over  and 
above  that  amount,  that  shall  be  hereafter  put  in  the  subscrip- 
tion papers."0 

Mr.  Ogilvie  died  at  Rye,  April  3rd,  1797,  and  was  buried  by 
the  side  of  his  predecessors  in  the  cemetery  belonging  to    the 


by  whom  he  had  a  daughter;  Christian  married  T:ir  John  Forbes,  of  Pitsligo. 
He  espoused,  secondly.  Lady  Mary  Douglas,  third  daughter  of  William,  Earl  of 
Morton,  and  had  by  that  lady,  James,  who  succeeded  him,  and  William,  besides  a 
daughter,  Margaret,  who  married  first,  James  Douglas,  Earl  of  Buchan,  and  secondly, 
Andrew,  eighth  Lord  Gray.  William  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Lancaster 
Sims,  of  New-York,  and  had  by  that  lady,  William,  a  lieutenant  in  the  royal  navy 
who  was  killed  during  the  Revolution  and  interred  at  Albany  ;  and  the  Rev.  John,  who 
was  born  in  the  City  of  New-York,  A.  D.,  1723.  Mary,  only  daughter  of  William  and 
Catharine  Ogilvie,  married  Dr.  Barent  Rourbach.  The  arms  of  Ogilvie  are  : — "  Ar. 
a  lion,  passant,  guardant,  gu.  armed  and  langued  az.,  crowned  with  an  imperial 
crown,  ppr. — Crest,  a  lion,  rampant  ppr.,  armed  and  langued  gu.  holding  in  the  dex- 
ter paw  a  rose  of  the  last,  stalked  and  leaved,  vert. — Motto  over  the  crest, — Fortiter 
et  suaviter. 

•  Sabine's  American  Loyalists. 

h  Historical  notice  of  Clergy  ordained  by  Bishops  Seabury  and  Jarvis,  from 
Appendix  to  Conn.  Journal  of  Convocation.     No.  xxxix. 

e  Rye  Vestry  Book. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  337 

church  or  opposite  side  of  Blind  Brook.  He  was  a  tall,  noble 
looking  man,  a  pleasant  companion,  a  good  reader  and  a  very 
respectable  preacher.  There  is  a  fine  portrait  of  him  as  a  boy, 
painted  by  Copley,  in  the  possession  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Coin- 
stock.  He  is  depicted  in  a  long  crimson  coat  with  gilt  buttons 
and  blue  vest.  His  first  wife,  to  whom  he  was  married  4th  of 
September,  1778,  was  Amelia,  daughter  of  Cornelius  VVillett,  of 
Willett's  Point.  By  this  lady  he  had  issue, — first,  Elizabeth 
Anne,  born  July  20th,  1779,  who  married  Thomas  Belden,  of 
Fairfield,  Conn.,  and  died  January  16th,  1846  ;  secondly, 
Amelia  Willett,  born  December  13th,  1780,  widow  of  the  late 
Jabez  Comstock,  Esq.,  of  New- York.  Mrs.  Ogilvie  died  March 
18th,  1781.  Mr.  Ogilvie  espoused,  secondly,  a  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  McWhorter,  the  Presbyterian  minister  of  Newark, 
N.  J.,  by  whom  he  left  no  issue. 

We  have  already  seen  that  Grace  Church,  Rye,  was  first 
incorporated  by  royal  charter  in  1764,  under  the  title  of  the 
"  Rector  and  inhabitants  of  the  Parish  of  Rye,  in  communion 
of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established.  It  was  now 
determined  to  re-incorporate  the  church  under  an  act  of  the 
Legislature  of  this  State,  entitled  "An  Act  for  the  relief  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  of  New-York,  passed 
the  17th  of  March,  1795,  'by  the  style  and  title  of  Christ 
Church,  at  the  town  of  Rye,  in  the  County  of  Westchester 
and  State  of  New-York;'  and  Monday  (in  Easter  Week)  be 
observed  yearly  and  every  year,  forever  hereafter,  to  be  the 
day  for  the  election  of  officers."* 

The 

REV.  SAMUEL  HASKELL,  B.  A., 

was  chosen  Rector  in  1797.     Mr.  Haskell  was  born  in  the  vi- 


*  County  Rec.  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  A.  The  first  officers  under  the  above  incor- 
poration were :— Peter  Jay  and  Isaac  Purdy,  Church  wardens;  Joshua  Purdy 
John  Haight,  Thomas  Brown,  John  Gu ion,  Thomas  Thomas,  Gilbert  Hatfield, 
Jonathan  Purdy  and  Nathaniel  Purdy,  Vestrymen. 

22 


33S  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

cinity  of  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1762,  and  was  descended  from  Ro- 
ger Haskell,  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  Salem,  in  1G39.  His 
early  inclinations  led  him  to  adopt  a  military  life.  In  the  sum- 
mer of  1781,  being  then  an  orphan,'  he  entered  the  military 
service  of  his  country.  Upon  the  evacuation  of  the  City  of 
New- York,  by  the  British  forces,  November  25th,  1783,  he  was 
among  the  troops  under  General  Knox,  who  took  possession  of 
the  city.  In  October,  1784,  he  received  an  honourable  dis- 
charge, and  subsequently,  a  sergeant's  pension,  which  he  en- 
joyed to  the  day  of  his  death.  Returning  to  his  native  state, 
he  became  a  student  in  Philip's  Academy,  Andover,  and  in  Sep- 
tember, 1786,  entered  Yale  College,  New  Haven,  where  he  grad- 
uated in  September,  1790.  He  was  afterwards  employed  for 
two  years  as  a  tutor  in  Queen's  College,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J. 
In  the  year  1794,  he  received  deacon's  orders,  and  in  1795, 
priest's  orders  from  the  hands  of  the  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost, 
Bishop  of  New- York.  From  the  period  of  his  ordination,  (1794,) 
until  May,  1S23,  he  was  an  officiating  clergyman  in  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church. 

At  a  vestry  meeting  held  on  the  7th  of  August,  1797,  it  was 
ordered,  "  that  the  Rev.  Samuel  Haskell  have  a  regular  call  to 
take  the  rectorship  of  Christ  Church  at  Rye  and  the  White 
Plains,  and  that  the  clerk  of  this  house  make  the  call  in  writing, 
and  forward  the  same  to  Mr.  Haskell  as  early  as  possible." 

In  April,  1  SOI,  Mr.  Haskell  resigned  the  charge  of  this  Par- 
ish, and  in  the  month  of  May  following,  succeeded  the  Rev. 
William  Walter,  D.  D.,  as  rector  of  Christ  Church,  Boston. 
Here  he  remained  till  September,  1803,  when  he  resigned,  and 
accepted  an  invitation  from  St.  Ann's  Church,  Gardiner,  in  the 
state  of  Maine. a 

At  a  meeting  of  the  vestry  of  Christ  Church,  Rye,  held  the 
18th  day  of  April,  1801,  it  was  on  motion  resolved,  "  that  an  ad- 
dress of  thanks  be  presented  to  Mr.  Samuel  Haskell  for  his  ser- 
vices to  the  said  Church,  and  that  the  clerk  draw  and  lav  the 


Hist.  Account  of  Christ  Church,  Boston,  by  the  Rector.    Boston.  1824. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  '        339 

address  before  the  house,  &c."  In  answer  to  the  petition  of  the 
churchwardens  and  vestrymen  of  this  Parish,  praying  for  a 
donation  to  enable  them  to  finish  the  church  and  parsonage 
house,  the  corporation  of  Trinity  Church,  New-York,  were 
pleased  to  contribute  the  sum  of  $750  for  a  parsonage  at  Rye. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  standing  committee,  appointed  by  the 
wardens  and  vestry  of  Christ  Church,  Rye,  August  the  27th. 
1S01,  on  motion,  resolved,  that  this  committee  for,  and  in  behalf 
of  the  wardens  and  vestry  of  Christ  Church  at  Rye,  do  present 
their  grateful  thanks  to  the  wardens  and  vestry  of  Trinity 
Church,  in  the  City  of  New-York,  for  the  generous  donation  re- 
cently received  of  them ;  sincerely  hoping,  that  with  the  bles- 
sing'of  God,  their  liberality  may  be  a  means  of  promoting  the 
prosperity  of  our  Church." 

On  the  18th  of  October,  1S01,  the 

REV.  EVAN  ROGERS 
received  an  invitation  to  the  rectorship,  and  in  the  month  of 
April  following,  took  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Parish.  He 
was  the  son  of  Enos  and  Margaret  Rogers,  and  was  bom  in 
Philadelphia  county,  Pennsylvania,  April  9th,  1766.  Though 
the  son  of  Quaker  parents,  he  joined  the  Methodist  Society  in 
1790,  and  became  a  zealous  and  laborious  itinerant  preacher  in 
that  connection,  in  the  Maryland  circuit.  In  1791,  he  was  or- 
dained by  them,  and  appointed  to  the  City  of  New- York  in 
1793.  The  next  year  he  was  appointed  to  Boston,  Lynn,  and 
Marblehead,  and  subsequently  to  Middletown,  Connecticut.  In 
1793,  he  left  the  Methodist  persuasion,  was  ordained  deacon 
by  the  Right  Rev.  Abraham  Jarvis,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Connecti- 
cut, June  5th,  1799,  and  priest  by  the  same,  October  6th,  lbOO. 
He  officiated  at  Hebron,  Conn.,  until  1802.  He  was  called  to 
this  Parish,  as  we  have  seen,  in  IS01,  and  remained  its  rector 
until  January  25th,  1809,  when  he  rested  from  his  laboFs.  He 
was  once  a  delegate  to  the  General  Convention  from  Connecti- 
cut.1 


*  Hist.  Not.  of  Clergy,  ordained  by  Bishops  Seabury  and  Jarvis,  from  Appen- 
dix to  Conn.  Journal  of  Convocation.    No.  lv. 


340  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

At  a  vestry  meeting  held  on  the  18th  day  of  October,  1801, 
it  was  resolved,  "  that  a  call  be  given  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Evan 
Rogers,  of  Hebron,  in  Connecticut,  and  that  a  salary  of  $275, 
together  with  the  parsonage  house  and  lands,  be  offered  to  him 
for  the  term  of  three  years,  &c."  The  above  call  was  accepted 
by  Mr.  Rogers,  on  the  16th  of  January,  1802. 

In  1803,  it  was  resolved  by  the  vestry,  "  that  Mr.  Rogers, 
our  present  minister  ;  or  whoever  shall  succeed  him  in  the  rec- 
torship, shall  hereafter  attend  service  and  prayers  at  Rye  and 
at  the  White  Plains,  alternately  as  usual,  provided  our  brethren 
in  and  about  the  White  Plains,  shall  raise  an  equal  proportion 
of  the  salary,  or  that  such  rector  shall  attend  at  the  White  Plains, 
in  proportion  to  the  sum  of  money  that  shall  be  raised  by  our 
brethren  in  and  about  the  White  Plains." 

Upon  the  11th  of  April,  1S04,  it  was  resolved  by  the  vestry, 
"  that  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rogers  have  the  charge  of  cleansing  the 
Church  the  present  year  ;  and  that  he  cause  it  to  be  lighted  up 
on  Christmas  Eve,  for  which  he  is  to  have  the  sum  of  ten  dol- 
lars." 

In  1807,  Mr.  Rogers  reported  to  the  Convention  as   follows  : 

«  since  the  last  Convention,  nothing  remarkable  has  taken 

place  in  this  Church  ;  there  appears  however,  of  late,  an  in- 
creasing attention  to  public  worship,  and  also  to  the  holy  ordi- 
nances." 

His  notitia  parochialis  for  1808,  stood  thus  : — "  Baptisms,  nine- 
teen •  marriages,  thirteen  ;  burials,  nine  ;  communicants  about 
forty  ;  and  the  number  of  families  belonging  to  his  church, 
about  one  hundred."  Upon  the  2d  of  May,  of  that  year,  it  was 
resolved  by  the  vestry — "that  the  Rev.  E.  Rogers,  have  the 
care  of  the  church  the  ensuing  year."  It  proved  alas,  the  last 
of  his  ministry  ;  for,  on  the  25th  of  January  following,  "  he  fell 
asleep." 

In  vain  our  fancy  strives  to  paint 
The  moment  after  death, 
The  glories  that  surround  the  saint, 
When  he  resigns  his  breath. 

One  gentle  sigh  his  fetters  break  ; 
We  scarce  can  say,  "  He's  gone," 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  341 

Before  the  willing  spirit  takes 
Her  mansion  near  the  throne. 

Faith  strives,  but  all  its  efforts  fail 
To  trace  her  heavenward  flight ; 
No  eye  can  pierce  within  the  veil, 
Which  hides  that  world  of  light. 

Thus  much  (and  this  is  all)  we  know, 
They  are  supremely  blest ; 
Have  done  with  sin,  and  care,  and  woe, 
And  with  their  Saviour  rest. 

On  harps  of  gold  his  name  they  praise, 
His  presence  always  view ; — 
And  if  we  here  their  footsteps  trace, 
There  u-c  shall  praise  Him  too. 

The  following  obituary  notice,  of  this  individual,  is  taken 
from  the  Churchman's  Magazine. 

"Departed  this  life  on  Thursday,  the  25th of  January,  1809, 
after  a  few  days  illness,  the  Rev.  Evan  Rogers,  Rector  of  Christ 
Church  at  Rye,  New- York, — In  the  death  of  this  excellent  man 
society  has  suffered  a  real  loss,  because  his  life  was  an  exem- 
plification of  the  doctrines  he  preached.  He  was  endeared  to 
a  numerous  acquaintance  by  his  deep  piety,  the  mildness  of  his 
temper,  the  profitableness  of  his  conversation  and  the  purity  of 
his  morals  ;  such  a  life  must  produce  a  happy  death.  He  died 
in  the  full  exercise  of  his  reason,  happy  and  resigned  to  the  will 
of  God  and  confident  of  a  joyful  resurrection."1 

His  remains  repose  in  the  ancient  village  burying  ground, 
near  the  entrance  of  the  Neck  proper.  The  following  is  the  in- 
scription on  his  grave  stone  : — 

The 
Masonic  Society 
in  the   town  of  Rye, 
have  erected  this  monument 

sacred  to  the  memory 
of   their  beloved  brother, 
the 

■  Churchman's  Magazine  vol.  vi.  p.  80. 


342  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

REV.    EVAN    ROGERS, 
pastor  of  Christ  Church, 
in  this  town, 
who  departed  this  life 
January  25th,  1809, 
in  the  42d  year 
of  his  life, 
extremely  lamented. 

"  My  flesh  shall  slumber   in  the  ground, 
Till  the  last  trumpet's  joyful  sound  ; 
Then  burst  these  chains  with  sweet  surprise, 
And  in  my  Saviour's  image  rise." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  wardens  and  vestry  of  Christ  Church  at 
Rye,  held  at  the  house  of  Nathaniel  Penfield,  25th  of  February, 
1S09,  it  was  resolved,  "  that  Messrs.  John  Guion,  Gilbert 
Brown,  and  David  Rogers,  Jr.,  be  a  committee  to  settle  all  ac- 
counts, between  the  Parish  and  the  late  Rector,  &c,  and  that 
the  same  committee  be  authorized  to  present  a  call  to  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Haskell,  Rector  of  St  Ann's  Church,  Gardiner,  Maine, 
to  remove  and  take  the  Rectorship  of  our  church,  &c." 

The 

REV.  SAMUEL  HASKELL,  B.  A., 

accepted  the  invitation  and  on  the  last  Sunday  in  June,  1809, 
delivered  his  first  sermon  in  the  Parish,  after  an  absence  of 
nearly  eight  years. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  wardens  and  vestry  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  of  Rye  and  the  White  Plains,  held  at  the  church  in  the 
town  of  Rye,  12th  of  August,  1809,  on  motion  resolved,  "  that 
whereas  we  the  wardens  and  vestry  of  the  aforesaid  church  of 
Rye,  have  called  the  Rev.  Samuel  Haskell,  to  take  the  rectorship 
of  said  church,  we  do  hereby  guarantee  or  secure  to  him,  the  said 
Rev.  S.  Haskell,  the  use  and  occupancy  of  the  parsonage  house 
and  the  glebe  belonging  to  said  church,  during  his  residence 
with  us  ;  we  also  insure  to  him  three  hundred  dollars  per  annum, 
the  sum  stipulated  in  our  call  to  him  for  the  first  three  years, 
and  the  monies  which  may  from  time  to  time  be  subscribed  for 
his  maintenance.  We  also  agree  that  he  be  regularly  inducted  in- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  343 

to  the  Church  agreeably  to  the  constitution  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  in  the  State  of  New-York,  whenever  the 
Bishop  of  said  Church  shall  be  disposed  to  attend  to  such  in- 
duction ;  also  resolved,  that  the  salary  of  the  Rev.  S.  Haskell, 
commence  the  first  of  June,  the  time  he  left  his  church  at  the 
Eastward."4 

On  the  26th  of  August,  1S09,  it  was  resolved,  "  that  the  clerk 
(of  the  vestry)  request  Bishop  Moore  to  attend  to  the  induction 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Haskell. "b  The  following  passage  appeared 
in  the  Churchman's  Magazine  for  September,  1809.  "  The  Rev. 
Samuel  Haskell  has  been  duly  instituted  rector  of  Grace  Church, 
Rye,  and  White  Plains,  which  had  become  vacant  in  conse- 
quence of  the  much  lamented  death  of  the  late  rector,  Evan 
Rogers."0 

At  a  meeting  of  the  vestry  of  Christ  Church,  Rye,  in  1809, 
it  was  resolved.  "  that  the  pulpit  and  pews  in  the  Church  be 
altered,  and  that  the  standing  committee  be  authorized  to  hire 
the  sum  of  £50  to  defray  the  expenditures  of  the  proposed  al- 
terations, &c."d 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Haskell,  in  his  report  for  1809,  says  : — 
"  Christ  Church,  Rye,  appears  to  be  in  a  flourishing  state  ;  since 
the  1st  of  July  last,  baptisms — adults,  4,  infants,  4 — S  ;  marri- 
ages, 2  ;  deaths,  9  ;  communicants,  about  50." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  wardens  and  vestry  of  Christ  Church, 
August  30th,  1810,  it  was  on  motion  resolved,  "that  the  propo- 
sals from  Peter  Jay  Monro,  and  John  Peter  de  Lancey,  to  erect 
an  Episcopal  Church,  be  postponed  until  the  next  meeting,  for 
future  consideration." 

In  his  report  for  the  above  year,  Mr.  Haskell  observes,  "  that 
the  Parish  of  Rye  and  the  White  Plains,  by  the  grace  of  God, 
is  in  a  peaceable  and  harmonious  state.  The  congregations 
are  large,  increasing,  and  in  good  fellowship  among  themselves 
and  with  each  other." 

*  Church  Rec.  of  Rye. 
b  Ibid 

c  Churchman's  Magazine. 
d  Church  Records. 


344  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Upon  the  27th  of  June,  1811,  "the  vestry  went  into  a  dis- 
cussion of  the  subject  of  building  a  chapel  on  Rye  neck,  to  be 
connected  with  the  Church  at  Rye,  came  to  no  decision — but 
resolved  to  postpone  the  subject  for  further  consideration,  &c.n 

In  his  parochial  report  for  1816,  Mr.  Haskell  observes,  "that 
the  wardens  and  vestrymen  of  Christ  Church,  Rye,  judged  it 
expedient  to  withdraw  from  the  White  Plains,  and  to  have  the 
stated  services  of  the  rector  limited  to  the  Church  in  Rye,  and 
have  acted  accordingly ;  so  that  the  White  Plains  are  now 
destitute." 

In  May,  18  23,  as  before  stated,  Mr.  Haskell  relinquished  the 
charge  of  this  Parish,  and  never  afterwards  accepted  a  paro- 
chial cure.  He  went  from  this  place  to  New  Rochelle,  where,  on 
the  24th  of  August,  1845.  in  the  S3d  year  of  his  age,  he  was  call- 
ed to  give  an  account  of  his  stewardship.  His  remains  are  in- 
terred in  the  burying  ground  of  Trinity  Church,  New  Ro- 
chelle, a  short  distance  from  the  sacred  edifice,  in  which,  du- 
ring the  last  twenty  two  years  of  his  life,  he  had  attended  the 
services  of  the  Church.     His  tombstone  bears  this  epitaph  : — 

Sacred 

to 

the  Memory 

of  the 

REV.  SAMUEL  HASKELL, 

who  died  Aug.  24th  18-45 

aged  S3. 

The 

REV.  WILLIAM  THOMPSON,  A.  M., 

who  succeeded  Mr.  Haskell,  was  a  native  of  Enniskillen,  in  the 
north  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  America  about  1S16-17.  After 
obtaining  holy  orders,  he  was  for  a  short  time  rector  of  Trinity 
Church,  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  and  on  the  1st  of  October,  1823, 
he  took  charge  of  this  Parish. 

He  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  his  Saviour,  on  Thursday,  Au- 
gust the  26th  1830.  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  old  til- 
lage burying  ground,  near  those  of  Mr.  Rogers.     The  following 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  345 

notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  Christian  Journal  of  1830. 
!'  Died,  at  Rye,  Westchester  County,  New- York,  on  Thursday, 
August  26th,  the  Rev.  William  Thompson,  rector  of  Christ 
Church,  in  that  town. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  came  to  this 
country  about  twelve  or  fourteen  years  ago.  Soon  after  his  ar- 
rival here,  he  reviewed  a  determination  which  he  had  previous- 
ly cherished  at  home,  but  abandoned  on  account  of  delicate 
health,  of  entering  the  holy  ministry ;  and  after  completing  a 
course  of  study  with  that  view,  was  ordained  deacon  by  the 
Right  R,ev.  Bishop  Hobart,  in  Christ  Church,  in  this  city,  on 
the  Thursday  before  Easter,  April  19th,  1821.  He  soon  after 
removed  to  the  charge  of  Trinity  Church,  Pittsburgh,  Penn., 
and  at  the  convention  of  that  diocese,  in  St.  Peter's  Church, 
Philadelphia,  on  Wednesday,  May  8th,  1822,  he  was  admitted 
by  the  Right  Rev.  Bishop  White,  to  the  holy  order  of  priests. 
Two  or  three  years  afterwards,  Mr.  Thompson  returned  to  this 
Diocese,  and  settled  in  the  Parish,  in  the  charge  of  which  he 
continued  until  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of  great  piety,  and 
land  and  affectionate  dispositions,  and  most  sincerely  devoted 
to  his  Master's  service.  He  understood  well,  and  therefore 
highly  prized  the  distinctive  principles  of  the  communion  at 
whose  altars  he  ministered,  and  happily  illustrated  the  natural 
union  of  the  sound  and  good  churchman,  the  truly  pious  man, 
and  the  faithful  and  evangelical  preacher.  His  health  was  de- 
clining for  a  long  time  before  his  death.  He  was  conscious  of 
it ;  but  was  supported  and  consoled  under  that  consciousness,  by 
the  grace  of  God  strengthening  his  faith,  and  brightening  his 
christian  hopes.  Mr.  Thompson  was  in  the  prime  of  life  ; 
when  in  the  ordinary  course  of  Providence,  many  years  might 
have  been  expected  to  be  added  to  his  ministry."11 

A  neat  monumental  tablet,  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel 
of  Christ  Church,  perpetuates  the  memory  of  this  excellent 
man. 

The  Rev.  John  M.  Forbes,  was  called  to,  and  accepted  the  rec- 

a  Christian  Journal,  vol.  xiv.  p.  286. 


346  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

torship  in  1830.  This  gentleman,  who  is  a  son  of  the  late 
James  Grant  Forbes,  Esq.,  and  a  grandson  of  the  Rev.  John 
Forbes,  one  of  the  Venerable  Society's  missionaries  for  the  Propa- 
gation of  the  Gospel,  has  recently  apostatized  to  the  Church  of 
Rome,  and  is  now  officiating  in  his  appropriate  character  as  a 
priest  of  that  Communion. 

For  the  successors  of  Mr.  Forbes,  see  list  of  rectors. 

THE  CHURCH. 

Christ  Church,  Rye,  is  agreeably  situated  upon  rising  ground, 
overlooking  the  village  and  vale  of  Blind  Brook.  This  building 
erected  in  the  year  1788,  upon  the  site  of  the  old  stone  edi- 
fice, called  Grace  Church,  is  a  plain  edifice  of  wood,  surmount- 
ed with  an  embattled  tower,  and  a  small  vestry  room  attached 
to  the  rear.  Its  interior  consists  of  the  nave,  two  aisles,  galle- 
ry and  chancel.  The  two  following  tablets  are  placed  on  the 
walls : — 

In  memory  of 

WILLIAM  THOMPSON, 

Rector 

of  Christ  Church  at  Rye, 
a  native  of  Emiiskil'en, 
Ireland, 
ordained  April,  1820, 
appointed  to  the  charge  of  this  Parish, 
September,  1823, 
Died  August  26th,  1830. 
"  Mark  the  perfect  man,  and  behold  the  upright,  for 
the  end  of  that  man  is  peace" — Psalm  xxxvii.  v.  37. 
Erected  by  his  affectionate 
Widow. 

Our 

Father  and  Mother, 

DAVID   BROWN 

who  died 

Sept.  7th,  1850, 

aged  88  years 

and  Sophia  his  wife 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  347 

who  died 

March  24th,  1851, 

Aged  80  years. 

"  Rejoice,  because  I  said  I  go 

unto  the  Father." 

• 

Beneath  the  floor  of  the  church,  lie  pillowed  in  the  darkness 
of  the  grave,  the  Rev.  George  Muirson,  who  died  rector  of  this 
Parish  in  170S,  and  his  successor,  the  Rev.  Christopher  Bridge, 
who  departed  this  life,  A.  D.,  1719. 

Belonging  to  this  Church  is  a  silver  paten  and  chalice,  pre- 
sented by  her  Majesty,  Queen  Anne,  A.  D.  1706.  The  former 
is  perfectly  plain — the  latter  is  bell  mouthed,  will  hold  about 
one  quart  of  wine,  and  stands  nine  inches  and  a  quarter  high. 
They  bear  the  following  inscription,  viz  : — "  Ann^e  Regin.e."' 
These  articles  have  been  used  in  the  administration  of  the  Holy 
Communion,  nearly  a  century  and  a  half.  It  appears  from  the 
following,  that  the  royal  donation  consisted  of  other  articles  : — 
"  At  a  monthly  meeting  of  the  Society,  in  1706,  the  Lord  Bish- 
op of  London,  reported  that  her  Majesty,  of  her  princely  grace 
and  favour,  had  been  pleased,  (through  his  Lordship's  hands) 
to  allow  five  large  Bibles,  Common  Prayer  Books,  and  Books  of 
Homilies,  as  also  pulpit  cloths,  communion  table  cloths,  silver 
chalices  and  patens,  for  each  of  the  five  churches  in  the  gov- 
ernment of  New- York,  viz  : — Hempstead  and  Jamaica,  in  Long 
Island,  Westchester,  Rye,  and  Staten  Island.  So  far  may  the 
prophecy  and  the  fulfilling  of  it  be  applied  to  the  Church  of 
Christ  arising  in  America  : — 'Kings  shall  be  thy  nursing  fath- 
ers, and  Queens  thy  nursing  mothers.'"*1 

Three  pieces  of  communion  silver,  viz  : — a  flagon,  chalice 
and  alms  plate,  are  inscribed  as  follows  : — "  Presented  to  Christ 
Church  at  Rye,  by  Mrs.  Mary  Jay,  1818."b 


*  An  account  of  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts,  &c,  printed  by  order  of  the  Society — John  Chamberlayne,  Sec,  London, 
170G. 

b  At  a  meeting  of  the  vestry,  held  29th  Oct.  1818,  it  was  resolved,  "  That  the 
wardens  and  vestry  of  the  Church,  in  their  behalf,  and  in  behalf  of  the  congre- 


348  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

There  is  likewise  a  chalice  bearing  the  following  inscription  : 
— "  Presented  to  the  Parish  of  Christ  Church,  Rye,  by  their 
affectionate  friend,  P.  S.  J.  Chauncey,  1848." 

Upon  two  copper  alms  bowls  are  inscribed  : — "  Presented  to 
Christ  Church,  at  Rye,  by  James  Meadows,  1769." 

Besides  a  fine  toned  bell,  manufactured  by  E.  Meneely,  of 
West  Troy,  in  1842,  the  Church  contains  a  neat  organ.  The 
old  bell  presented  by  the  Rev.  James  Wetmore,  and  knolled  for 
the  first  time  on  Christmas  Day,  1732,  fell  with  the  tower  when 
the  Church  was  burnt  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  decayed  state  of  the  present  edifice  erected,  as  we  have 
seen  sixty-five  years  ago ;  and  the  increasing  population  of 
the  Parish,  render  the  erection  of  a  new  and  more  commodious 
church  absolutely  necessary.  For  the  accomplishment  of  this 
desirable  end,  the  vestry  have  already  taken  active  measures  ; 
a  subscription  list  has  been  freely  circulated,  and  upwards  of 
ten  thousand  dollars  subscribed  towards  the  good  work. 

The  present  glebea  was  purchased  by  the  vestry  in  1794, 
upon  which  a  neat  parsonage  has  been  erected.  To  Christ 
Church,  Rye,  was  formerly  attached  St.  Peters  Chapel,;at  Port- 

chester. 

PRINCIPAL  BENEFACTORS. 

Q,ueen  Anne,  Edward  Viscount  Cornbury,  Hon.  Caleb  Heath- 
cote,  Rev.  George  Muirson,  Hon.  Samuel  Purdy,  Isaac  Denham, 
Esq.,  St.  George  Talbot,  Esq.,  Peter  Jay,  Esq.,  Ann  Jay,  Mary 


gation,  gratefully  acknowledge  the  same,  and  return  her  their  unfeigned  thanks, 
with  their  best  wishes  and  ardent  prayers  that  she  may  long  live  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  health,  and  after  this  life  ended,  may  participate  in  the  pleasures  of 
a  blessed  immortality." 

*  Jno.  Denham,  of  Rye,  in  County  of  Fairfield,  sold  "  a  certain  half  lotment  of 
land,  lying  within  the  field  of  Rye,  near  the  upper  end  of  the  field,  being  in  esti- 
mation four  acres,  &c. ;  bounded  as  followeth: — northerly  with  the  parsonage 
land  and  easterly  with  the  highway,  and  southerly  with  the  land  of  John  Frost 
and  easterly  with  the  highway." — Town  Rec,  Lib.  B,  74.  At  a  town  meeting 
held  at  Rye,  Feb.  26th,  1G93-4,  "  The  town  doth  order  that  what  hath  been  done 
for  the  repairing  of  the  parsonage  house  the  townsmen  shall  have  power  to  make 
a  rent  and  appoint  every  man  his  pay." — Town  Rec,  Lib.  D. 


Christ  Church.  Rye— Erected  A.  D.  1855. 


1  11  1  I 


'0  eo         3a  40 

Ulllllllll  I  '  I 

Ground  plan  of  Christ  Church. 


[To  face  page  343] 


AND  CHUECH  OP  RYE.  349 

Jay,  Mrs.  Philemon  Halstead3-  the  Venerable  Society  for  the 
Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  Corporation  of  Trinity 
Chinch.,  New-York.^ 

The  first  delegates  from  this  Parish  to  the  Diocesan  Conven- 
tion in  1785,  were  William  Miller  and  Alexander  Hunt,  Esqrs. 

TOMBSTONES. 

The  following  inscription  is  taken  from  a  tombstone  found  in 
the  wail  on  the  west  side  of  the  church  : — 

Sacred  to  the  Memory 

of  Mrs.  Martha  Marven, 

late  consort  of  Mr.  Lewis 

Marven,  of  Rye,  who  exchanged 

this  life  for  a  better,  Feb'y  5th,  1767, 

in  the  39  th  year  of  her  age. 
"  Let  us  since  life  can  little  more  supply — 
Than  just  to  look  about  us  and  to  die, 
Hope  humbly,  and  with  trembling  pinions  sore, 
Wait  the  great  teacher,  death,  and  God  adore." 

Many  other  persons  were  interred  near  the  church,  as  1  have 
been  credibly  informed.  The  following  memorials  are  from  the 
village  burying  ground  : — Mary,  daughter  to  Samuel  and  Mary 
Kniffen,  deceased,  January  ye  12th,  1707.  In  memory  of  Mr. 
Joseph  Lyon,  who  deceased  February  the  21st,  A.  D.,  1761,  in 
the  84th  year  of  his  age.  In  the  Blind  Brook  cemetery,  opposite 
the  church,  is  a  gravestone  inscribed  to  the  memory  of  a  grand- 
son of  the  Rev.  James  "Wetmore,  with  a  figure  curiously  carved 
in  the  similtude  of  a  cherub,  surrounded  with  a  rich  foliated 


■  This  Lady  had  tho  goodness  to  present  two  elegant  communion  cloths  to  the 
Church,  in  1833. 

k  Trinity  Church,  in  1800,  presented  the  sum  of  $750  for  a  parsonage,  at  Rye. 
In  1813,  $500  for  Christ  Church,  Rye.  The  old  Prayer  Book,  which  is  still  used 
in  the  service  of  tho  Church,  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Peter  A.  Jay,  Aug.,  1831. 
It  is  entitled  "  The  Book  of  Common  Prayer  and  Administration  of  the  Sacra- 
menti  and  other  rites  and  Ceremonies  of  the  Church,  New- York.  By  Direc- 
tion of  the  Gen.  Con.  Printed  by  Hugh  Gaine,  at  the  Bible,  Hanover  Square, 
M.DCCXCV."  , 


350  HISTORY  OF  THE  PAEISH 

border, — sacred  to  the  dear  Memory  of  JAMES,  beloved  son 
of  Timothy  and  Jane  Wetmore,  who  changed  this  Life  for  a 
better,  Nov.  the  25th,  1753,  Aged  13  months  and  4  ds. 

RECTORES  DE  RYE. 

TEMP.       INST.  RECTORES.  VACAT.  PATRONS. 

April,  1704,  Rev.  T.  Pritchard,  01.  A.  M.  pr  mort.  War.  and  Yes 

31  July,  1705,  Rev.  Geo.  Muirson,  CI.,  A.  M.,  per  mort.  « 

17  Oct..   1710,  Rev.  Christopher  Bridge,  CI.,  A.  M.,  per  mort.  " 

7  June,  1722,  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  CI.,  A.  M.,  per  resig.  " 

June,  1726,  Rev.  James  Wetmore,  CI.,  A.  M.,  per  mort.  " 

17  Nov.,  1762,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Punderson,  CI.  A.  M.,  pe  mort.  " 
9  Sept.,  1765,  Rev.  Ephraim  Avery,  CI.,  A.  M.,  per  m'ort.  " 

1777,  Rev.  Isaac  Hunt,  CI.,  A.  M.,  per  resig.  " 

5  Sept.,  1787,  Rev.  Richard  C.  Moore,  Presb.  A.  M.  per  resig  « 

15  Dec,  1790,  Rev.  David  Foote,  Presb.,  A.  M.,  per  mort.  " 

5  Dec,  1793,  Rev.  John  J.  Sands,  Presb.,  A.  M.,  per  resig.  " 

26  Oct.,  1796,  Rev.  George  Ogilvie,  Presb.,  A.  M.,  per  mort.  " 

7  Aug.,  1797,  Rev.  Samuel  Haskell,  Presb.,  B.  A.,  per  resig.  " 

18  Oct.,  1801,  Rev.  Evan  Rogers,  Presb.,  per  mort.  " 

27  Feb.,  1809,  Rev.  Samuel  Haskell,  Presb,  B.  A.,  per  resig.  " 

8  Dec,  1S23,  Rev.  William.  Thompson,  A.  IVL,  per  mort.      " 

1S30,  Rev.  John  Forbes,  Presb.,  per  resig.  " 

1832,  Rev.  W.  M.  Carmichael,  A.  M.  Presb.,  pr  resig.  " 

8  Sept.,  1834,  Rev.  Peter  S.  Chauncey,  A.  M.  Presb.  pr  resig.  " 

13  May,  1S49,  Rev.  Ed.  C.  Bull,  A.  M.,  Presb.,  present  rector.   " 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

A.  D.  1705,  Baptisms  200,  Communicants  30 


1710, 

ditto 

8, 

ditto 

43 

1722, 

ditto 

60, 

ditto 

26 

1727, 

ditto 

50, 

ditto 

31 

1739, 

ditto 

118, 

ditto 

50 

1763, 

ditto 

111, 

ditto 

50 

1766, 

ditto 

? 

ditto 

40 

AND  CHURCH  OF  EYE.  351 

A.  D.  1773,  Baptisms  101,   Communicants  9 

1S04,       dittto  5,        ditto            30 

1S10,       ditto  14,         ditto             55 

1847,       ditto  22,         ditto          112 

1S53,      ditto  4,        ditto            63 

In  1712  the  number  of  persons  belonging  to  the  church  in 
this  Parish  were  313.    In  1S53,  number  of  families  were  64. 

In  1703,  the  population  of  the  Parish  was     -         -         S00 
1712,  «  "  774 

1840,  "  «...     i;803 

1850,  "  "  2,590 

THE  SOCIETY'S  SCHOOLMASTERS  AT  RYE. 


Time  of  App't 

Schoolmasters. 

Salary. 

1707, 

Joseph  Cleator, 

£15  per  aim 

1711, 

Thomas  Huddlestone, 

ditto. 

1723, 

John  Carhart, 

ditto. 

1728, 

Flint  D wight, 

ditto. 

1733, 

Samuel  Purdy, 

ditto. 

1745, 

William  Sturgeon,  B. 

A, 

ditto. 

1754, 

Timothy  Wetmore, 

ditto. 

1769, 

John  Rand, 

ditto. 

1770, 

John  Avery. 

£10  per  ann 

1771, 

James  Wetmore, 

ditto. 

NOTITIA  SCHOLASTICA. 

1711, 

Number  of  Scholars, 

. 

30. 

1718, 

<:                  u 

55. 

1738, 

a                 u 

- 

21. 

1776, 

<<                 '• 

- 

60. 

Pew  Holders  in  1792. — The  following  names  appear  on  the 
minutes,  of  individuals  who  purchased  pews  in  1792,  viz. : — 
The  widow  of  Josiah  Brown,  Peter  Jay,  Joshua  Purdy,  Isaac 
Brown,  Andrew  Lyon,  Thomas  Brown,  Robert  Kennedy,  Jesse 
Hunt,   Esq.,  Joshua  Purdy,  Jr.,  Thomas  Lyon,  Ezekiel  Hal- 


352  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

stead,  the  widow  of  William  Griffen,  Samuel  Marvin,  Benjamin 
Griffen,  Deborah  Horton,  John  Griffen,  Roger  Purdy,  Jr.,  Gilbert 
Brown,  John  P.  De  Lancey,  Bartholomew  Hadden,  Isaac  Purdy, 
John  Haight,  Jr.,  Ezrahiah  Wetmore,  Samuel  Purdy,  John  Gui- 
on,  Sylvanus  Purdy,  John  Haight,  Daniel  Haight,  Tamer  Bar- 
ker— nine  seats  reserved  by  the  Vestry. 


NAMES  OF  PERSONS  WHO  HAVE  BEEN  ELECTED 
WARDENS  OF  GRAGE  CHURCH  (NOW  CHRIST 
CHURCH,)  RYE:— 

1695—6. 
George  Lane,  John  Brondig. 

No  records  from  1696  to  1703. 
1703—10. 
Caleb  Heathcote,  Joseph  Theall. 

1710. 
Joseph  Theall,  Jonathan  Hart. 

Cornelius  Seely, 

1711. 

Joseph  Budd,  Isaac  Denham. 

1712. 

John  Brundige,  Jonathan  Miller. 

1713. 

John  Brundige,  David  Ogden. 

1714. 
David  Ogden,  Moses  Knapp. 

1715. 
Moses  Knapp,  Jacob  Haviland. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  RYE.  353 

17L6. 
Jacob  Haviland,  Henry  Disbrow. 

1717. 
Henry  Disbrow,  George  Lane. 

1718. 
Ebenezer  Theal,  George  Lane. 

1719-20. 
John  Haight,  Isaac  Denham. 

1721. 
Samuel  Purdy,  Henry  Fowler, 

1722. 
George  Lane,  Benjamin  Brown, 

1723. 
Henry  Fowler,  John  Horton. 

1724. 
Jonathan  Haight,  Jacob  Haviland. 

1725. 
Samuel  Purdy,  Benjamin  Brown, 

1726. 
Daniel  Purdy,  John  Budd. 

1727. 
William  Fowler,  Abraham  Miller, 

172S. 
David  Ogden  Daniel  Purdy. 

1729-30. 
Daniel  Purdy,  John  Glover. 

1731. 
James  Woods,  John  Budd. 

1732. 
Daniel  Purdy,  sen.,  Joseph  Kniffin, 

1733. 
Daniel  Purdy,  sen.,  William  Willett. 

1734. 

Daniel  Purdy,  Francis  Doughty, 

23 


354  HISTORY  OF  TIIE  PARISH 

1735. 

Daniel  Purely,  Benjamin  Brown. 

1736-7. 
Samuel  Purely,  Francis  Doughty, 

1738-9. 
Hachaliah  Brown,  Andrew  Merritt, 

1740. 
Daniel  Purely,  John  Thomas. 

1741. 
John  Thomas,  Daniel  Purdy. 

1742-3. 
Dauiel  Purely,  John  Thomas. 

1744. 
Samuel  Purdy,  Samuel  TredwelL 

1745. 
Samuel  Tredwell,  Samuel  Purdy. 

1746-7. 
Elisha  Budd,  Charles  Theall. 

1748. 
Charles  Theall,  Elisha  Budd. 

1749. 
James  Horton,  Jeremiah  Fowler. 

1750-1. 
Jeremiah  Fowler,  Joseph  Sherwood. 

1752. 

Joshua  Purdy,  Roger  Parks,  jun. 

1753-5S. 
William  Willett,  Jonathan  Brown. 

1759. 
Jonathan  Brown,  William  Willett. 

1760-1. 
William  Willett,  Jonathan  Brown. 

1762. 
Elisha  Budd,  Ebenezer  Kniffin. 


AND  CHURCII  OF  RYE. 


355 


1763. 

Ebenezer  Kniffin,  Andrew  Merritt. 

1764. 
John  Thomas,  Ebenezer  Kniffin. 

1765-6. 
Gilbert  Bloomer,  Joshua  Purdy. 

1767. 
Hachaliah  Brown,  Timothy  Wetmore. 

1768. 
Timothy  Wetmore,  Hachaliah  Purdy. 

1769. 
Joshua  Purdy,  James  Horton,  jun. 

1770-75. 
Joshua  Purdy,  Benjamin  Griffon. 

1776. 
Joshua  Purdy,  James  Horton,  jun. 

17S8-95. 
Peter  Jay,  Isaac  Purdy. 

1796. 
Isaac  Purdy,  John  Barker. 

1797. 
Peter  Jay,  Isaac  Purdy. 

1798. 
Isaac  Purdy,  Joshua  Purdy. 

1799. 
Joshua  Purdy,  Isaac  Purdy. 

1500. 
John  Haight,  Isaac  Purdy. 

1801. 
Andrew  Lyon,  John  Haight. 

1802. 
John  Haight,  Andrew  Lyon. 

1803-4. 
John  Haight,  John  Guion. 

1805. 
John  Guion,  John  Haight. 


356 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


1806-7. 
John  Haight,  John  Guion. 

1S08-23. 
John  Guion,  Jonathan  Purdy. 

David  Brown, 

1824-5. 
Jonathan  Purdy,  David  Brown. 

1825-33. 
David  Brown,  Hachaliah  Brown. 

1834. 
David  Brown,  Samuel  Purdy. 

1835-40. 
Hachaliah  Brown,  Josiah  Buckley. 

1841-2. 
Peter  Jay,  Hachaliah  Brown. 

1843-4. 
Hachaliah  Brown,  William  Bush. 

1815-51. 
William  Bush,  Josiah  Buckley. 

1852-3. 
John  G.  Jay,  John  A.  Dix. 


HISTORY 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


EASTCHESTER. 


Eastchester,  which  formerly  constituted  one  of  the  four 
precincts  of  the  extensive  parish  of  Westchester,  was  at  first 
called  "  Hutchinson's"  (from  the  celebrated  Anne  Hutchinson, 
who,  to  avoid  the  bitter  persecutions  of  the  Puritans,  fled  into 
this  neighborhood  for  protection,  in  1642,  and  commenced  a  plan- 
tation,) and  subsequently  "  The  Ten  Farms,"  an  appellation  de- 
rived from  its  ancient  division  among  ten  proprietors.  The 
present  name  was  conferred  as  early  as  1666. 

The  lands  of  Eastchester  were  originally  included  in  the  In- 
dian grant  of  1610,  whereby  the  Indians  conveyed  to  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company,  all  the  territory  situated  between  the 
town  of  Nor  walk  and  the  North  River. 

Upon  the  14th  of  November,  1654,  Thomas  Pell,  of  Fairfield, 
Conn.,  obtained  a  second  grant  from  the  Indian  Sachem  Wam- 
page  and  others,  which  also  embraced  the  present  parish. 

"  On  the  24th  of  June,  1664,  Thomas  Pell  granted  to  James 
Eustis  and  Philip  Pinckney,  for  themselves  and  their  associates, 
to  the  number  of  ten  families,  to  settle  down  at  Hutchinson's, 


358  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

that  is,  where  the  house  stood  at  the  meadows  and  uplands,  to! 
Hutchinson's  River,  they  paying  according  to  ye  proportion  oi 
the  charges,  which  was  disburst  for  the  purchase,  &c." 

The  above  grantees  were  Puritans,  from  Fairfield  in  Connec 
ticut,  who  claimed  Westchester  as  laying  within  their  jurisdic 
tion. 

The  first  settlers  of  Eastchester,  like  the  people  in  general  o: 
that  day,  paid  early  attention  to  religion,  to  the  support  of  th( 
gospel,  and  the  institutions  of  the  religious  society  to  which 
they  belonged.  It  appears  that  a  Congregational  or  Indepen 
dent  Society  was  organized  here  in  1665,  for  in  that  year  it  wai 
ordered  : — "  That  all  and  every  one  of  us,  or  that  shall  be  o 
us,  do  pay  unto  the  minister  according  to  his  mead ;"  also 
"  That  we  give  new  encouragement  to  Mr.  Brewster  each  othei 
week,  to  give  us  a  word  of  exhortation."51  In  1670  it  was  fur 
ther  enacted  : — "  That  whereas,  we  being  a  Society  of  Chris 
tians,  living  together,  have  agreed  that  all  those  of  our  associa 
tion  shall  join  together  in  meeting  on  Lord's  days,  to  tell  abou 
the  worship  of  God."  It  was  also  resolved,  "That  whereas  Mo 
ses  Hoit,  being  deserter,  and  being  behind,  and  not  seeming  t( 
be  willing  to  contribute  unto  our  minister,  whereupon  the  in- 
habitants of  Eastchester,  have  agreed  that  the  said  Moses  Hoi 
shall  be  presented  unto  the  next  Court  of  Sessions,  &c."b 

Upon  the  29th  of  July,  1674,  "Richard  Shute  was  chosen  foi 
to  go  to  our  honoured  Governour  as  a  representative  from  the 
village  of  Eastchester,  upon  the  occasion  that  we  may  have  the 
Rev.  Ezekiel  Fogge  to  be  established  and  confirmed  by  oui 
honourable  Governour,  and  also  the  humble  request  to  have  the 
liberty  or  grant  to  build  a  Chapel  of  Ease,  and  not  to  be  paying 
toward  Westchester  church's  building."0 


»  Town  Records. 

b  Town  Records. — "  On  the  13th  January,  1672,  it  was  resolved  to  pay  £10  per 
annum  to  Mr. ,  as  his  salary,  by  [rate,  by  the  inhabitants  and  sojour- 
ners."    Persons  were  allowed  to  protest  against  the  collecting  of  church  rates.- 
See  protest  of  John  Jackson,  Moses  Hoit  and  others,  Feb.  11.  1G74. 

•  Town  Records. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  359 

The  following  day,  at  a  public  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Eastchester,  it  was  resolved  by  vote,  "To  go  jointly  unto  West- 
chester, and  so  speak  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fogge,  by  reason  we 
heard  that  Mr.  Fogge  did  express  himself  to  be  desirous,  and 
also  willing  to  live  and  settle  among  us  in  Eastchester;  in  con- 
sideration whereof,  we  are  willing  to  manifest  our  acceptance  to 
embrace  his  good  company,  and  shall  provide  for  his  present 
comfort,  and  likewise  for  his  future  livelihood. '"a 

Upon  the  5th  of  September,  1677,  it  was  agreed,  "  That  if  it 
be  the  will  of  God  to  bring  a  minister  to  settle  among  us,  we 
pay  him  £40  a  year  for  his  subsistence,  and  also  provide  him  a 
house  and  land  for  his  use,  during  the  time  he  stays  here  as 
our  minister."  At  this  meeting  it  was  resolved,  "To  send.  Philip 
Pinckney  and  Samuel  Drake,  sen.,  as  representatives  to  West- 
chester, to  the  town  meeting,  to  treat  with  that  town  for  the 
providing  a  minister.''b 

The  following  year  it  was  determined,  "That  we  will  meet 
together  on  Sabbath  days,  for  time  to  come,  to  celebrate  the 
worship  and  service  of  God,  in  the  best  manner  that  we  can  at- 
tain unto."  It  was  also  decided  by  vote,  "  That  we  will  pay  to- 
wards the  carrying  on  the  said  Sabbath  days'  services,  by  a  free 
will  offering  for  the  ensuing  year,  the  following  sums  : — 

s.     d.  s.      d. 

William  Haiden,       14  0         Will.  Gregier,  05  0 

Richard  Shute,  12  0         Henry  Fowler,  04  0 

Nat.  Tompkins,         10  0         Henry  Creway,         02  0 
John  Pinckney,        10  0         Samuel  Drake,  15  0 

Richard  Hoadly,       10  0         John  Drake,  10  0"<= 

John  Tompkins,       OS  0 
Upon  the  17th  of  December,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester 
"  Agreed  to  pay  £40  a  year  unto  Mr.  Morgan  Jones,  minister  of 
Newtown,  L.  1  ;  that  is  to  say,  to  be  paid  unto  the  said  min- 


■  Town  Records. 
fc  Ibid. 

•  Ibid 


360  HISTORY  OF  THE   PARISH 

ister,  for  his  encouragement  to  administer  the  word  of  God  nnto 
us,  as  our  minister;  and  that  we,  the  said  inhabitants,  do  en- 
gage to  pay  the  abovesaid  sum  of  £40  in  good  provincial  pay, 
at  the  price  according  to  the  same  of  this  government,  provi- 
ded that  the  said  Mr.  Jones  do  come  and  live  among  us,  and 
perform  the  office  of  a  minister,  and  to  pay  it  by  vote."* 

Feb.  11th,  16S0,  we  find  the  Rev.  Morgan  Jones  officiating  in 
the  village  of  Westchester. b 

During  the  year,  1684,  Eastchester  appears  to  have  been  uni- 
ted with  Westchester  in  the  support  of  a  pastor,  for  in  the  Spring 
of  the  same  year,  it  was  resolved,  "That  the  justices  and  vestry- 
men of  West  and  Eastchester,  and  Yonkers,  do  accept  of  Mr. 
Warham  Mather,  as  our  minister  for  one  whole  year."c 

At  this  period,  Mr.  Samuel  Goding  received  instructions  to 
read  in  the  Bible,  and  other  good  sermon  books,  and  so  to  car- 
ry on  the  Sabbath  exercises  in  Eastchester,  according  to  the 
Hon.  Col.  Fletcher's  order. d 

On  the  30th  of  Nov.,  1692,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester 
agreed  to  pay  the  following  sums  towards  the  support  of  Mr. 
Goding  : — 

"Henry  Fowler,  one  bushel  of  good  winter  wheat, 

s.     d. 

John  Tompkins,         3  0         Jno.  Pinckney,  5  pecks 
John  Clark,  2  0  of  Indian  corn, 


s. 
3 

d. 

0 

2 

0 

4 

0 

3 

0 

2 

0 

4 

0 

Joseph  Drake,  4  0  William  Gray,  2  0 

Thomas  Pinckney,  3  0  John  Shute,  3  0 

Isaac  Taylor,  2  0  Benjamin  Taylor,  2  0 

John  Drake,  4  0  Thomas  Shute,  4  6" 

Upcn  the  9th  of  May,  1693,  it  was  resolved  that  a  meeting 


*  Town  Records. 

b  Westchester  Town  Records. — "  On  the  17th  day  of  Dec,  1680,  the  inhabitants 
of  Eastchester  agreed  by  vote,  to  pay  .£40  a  year  unto  Mr.  Jones,  minister  of 
Newtown,  L.  I. 

0  Westchester  Town  Records. 

4  Eastchester  Town  Records.  "  In  lfi92  Richard  Shute,  and  Samuel  Goding, 
■were  chosen  to  carry  on  the  Sabbath  day  sendees,  &c." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  36 1 

house  should  be  built  according  to  the  dimensions  agreed 
upon.  At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  held  on  the  16th  of 
May,  "  It  was  agreed  that  the  whole  charge  of  building  the  said 
house,  shall  be  paid  according  unto  the  estates  of  every  particu- 
lar person's  list  taken."  "The  same  day  Capt.  William  Hayden, 
John  Drake,  John  Pinckney,  Richard  Shute,  and  Henry  Fowler, 
sen.,  were  chosen  overseers  to  superintend  the  building  of  the 
meeting  house,  &c."a 

By  an  Act  of  Assembly,  passed  21st  Sept.,  1693,  Eastchester 
became  one  of  the  four  precincts  of  the  parish  of  Westchester. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1693-4,  "  William  Haiden,  John  Drake, 
and  Richard  Shute,  were  chosen  to  receive  forty  pounds,  as 
according  to  the  free-will  offering,  and  to  act  and  do  and  layout 
the  said  several  sums  for  the  town  ;"  also,  "  It  was  agreed,  that 
these  men  have  full  power  to  receive  the  said  sums  and  lay 
them  out  towards  building  the  said  meeting  house  and  to  render 
account  thereof  to  the  town."b 

At  a  town  meeting  held  the  23rd  day  of  January,  1694-5,  the 
inhabitants  "  Agreed  by  vote  to  lay  out  half  an  acre  of  land  to 
be  set  out  for  a  parsonage  lot,  to  be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the 
town,  to  be  reserved  for  that  use  for  ever,  which  abovesaid 
land  is  lying  in,  and  being  upon  the  green  in  Eastchester."0 

On  the  31st  of  July,  1696.  it  was  determined  "  To  lighten  the 
meeting  house  by  a  lantern  to  every  seat  of  the  same."- 

At  a  town  meeting  held  22nd  July,  1697,  "  It  was  agreed  by 
vote  to  meet  at  the  meeting  house  on  the  10th  day  of  Au- 
gust next  ensuing,  at  sun  hdlf  an  hour  high  in  the  morning,  in 
order  to  the  cutting  brush  about  the  commons  in  Eastchester 
woods,  and  to  appear  at  the  beat  of  the  drum." 

On  the  2nd  of  January,  1698-9,  the  inhabitants  agreed  by 

*  Town  Rec.  "At  a  town  meeting  on  the  15th  of  December,  1693,  Moses 
Hoit,  jun.,  and  others,  were  chosen  to  take  a  list  of  estimation  according  to  the 
town's  agreement,  for  making  a  rate  for  the  payment  of  the  carpenter's  work  in 
building  the  meetinghouse." 

"Ibid. 

*  Itrftl. 

*  See  Hist,  of  the  County  of  "Westchester,  vol  1.  page  143. 


362  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

vote.  "  That  the  address  which  is  drawn  up  to  be  presented 
unto  His  Excellency,  concerning  indoekiu  (inducting)  a  minister, 
the  said  inhabitants  have  and  do  agree  that  the  officers  of  said 
town  shall  asign  (sign)  the  said  address  in  the  behalf  of  them- 
selves and  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  or  any  of  our  adjacent 
neighbours." 

The  Governour,  however,  refused  to  induct  a  dissenting  minis- 
ter, on  the  ground  that  such  a  one  was  not  qualified  to  accept,  and 
that  the  law  intended  no  other  than  an  orthodox  minister,  for  if 
otherwise,  nothing  but  confusion  would  ensue  about  the  dispo- 
sal even  amongst  the  Dissenters  themselves. 

The  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  finding  the  Governour  bent  up- 
on the  settlement  of  a  national  ministry,  next  attempted  to  annul 
the  act  of  1693,  by  making  themselves  a  distinct  parish  from 
Westchester.  This  appears  by  the  following  extract  from  the 
town  records  : — "April  1 1th,  1699,  it  was  agreed  upon,  by  a  full 
and  free  vote,  to  petition  unto  His  Excellency  and  Honourable 
Council  and  General  Assembly,  in  behalf  of  ourselves  and  the 
rest  of  our  neighbours  in  the  Yonkers  and  Mile  Square,  to  de- 
sire that  we  may  be  taken  from  Westchester  and  have  liberty 
to  call  a  minister  of  our  own." 

On  the  26th  of  December,  1699,  it  was  resolved,  at  a  public 
meeting  held  in  Eastchester,  "  To  haste  and  erect  the  meeting 
house,  and  that  it  shall  be  finished  at  or  before  the  31st  of  May, 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1700,  and  in  case  the  said  work  be  not 
finished,  that  then  John  Drake  and  Jeremiah  Fowler  shall  set 
men  at  work  and  finish  the  said  work  on  the  town  account."* 

At  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants,  20th  of  February,  1700,  we 
find  them  setting  aside  a  small  quantity  of  land  as  a  provision 
for  a  minister,  according  to  their  constant  method,  and  which 
was  used  in  all  other  townships  within  the  Colony,  as  fol- 
lows:— "The  said  inhabitants  have  laid  out  one  piece  of  land 


■  Town  Records.  "  By  an  act  of  Assembly  passed  this  year,  the  trustees  of  each 
town  were  to  make  a  yearly  rate  for  building  a  church  where  wanting,  &c."  3 
Will.  111.  A.  D.  1699.    Laws  of  N.  Y.  vol.  1.  Chap.  83,  p.  37. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  3(33 

containing  IS  rod  in  length,  and  easterly  5  rod,  and  at  the 
western  end  it  is  5  rod  in  breadth  ;  the  said  land  is  set,  lying 
and  being  in  Eastchester,  1  rod  off  from  John  Lancaster's  mea- 
dow, and  at  the  west  end  half  a  rod  by  the  home  meadow  of 
the  said  John  Lancaster's,  which  land  is  for  the  use  of  the 
town  for  a  parsonage  lot,  which  said  lot  was  laid  out  by  the 
consent  of  Mr.  Thos.  Pinckney,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  Richard 
Shute,  as  witnesseth  that  the  said  land  is  given  to  be  so 
ner  (near)  his  meadow. 

The  mark  of  John^  Lancaster. "a 

Upon  this  occasion  it  was  agreed  "  That  the  minister's  salary 
be  paid  by  rate  for  time  to  come." 

The  same  year,  "  Ten  acres  of  land  were  voted  to  Nicholas 
Concklin,  in  consideration  that  he  shall  part  with  his  house, 
home  lot  and  orchard,  for  the  use  of  a  minister,  in  case  the  said 
minister  do  accept  of  this  abovesaid  house  and  home  lot."  Mr. 
Henry  Fowler  at  the  same  time  was  directed  to  "Write  a  letter 
to  Mr.  Morgan  to  come  over  and  see  whether  he  doth  well  ap- 
prove of  what  the  inhabitants  have  done  for  his  maintenance."15 

It  was  also  "Agreed  to  pay  Mr.  Morgan  £30  current,  for 
salary,"  which  sum  was  ordered  to  be  raised  upon  all  rateable 
estates. 

At  a  public  town  meeting,  held  about  this  time,  "  Mr.  Joseph 
Morgan  did  declare,  that  he  did  not  like  that  home  lot  of 
Nicholas  Conckiin's,  and  also  that  the  said  piece  of  land  is  not  a 
whole  home  lot."0 

Upon  the  12th  of  June,  1700,  twenty  acres  of  land  were  voted 
to  Mr.  Morgan. 

"  At  a  public  town  meeting,  called  by  order  of  the  inhabitants, 
Oct.  4th,  1700,  the  said  inhabitants  directed  Mr.  Henry  Fowler 
and  Richard  Shute,  (with  the  rest  of  the  intended  church,)  to 


»  Town  Records. 

k  Town  Rec. 

•  Town  Rec,  vol.  i.  p.  4. 


364  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

write  unto  the  Reverend  ministers  in  New  England  concerning 
the  ordination,  they  having  the  assistance  of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Morgan  ;  also,  that  Mr.  John  Pinckney,  Henry  Fowler  and 
Richard  Shute,  shall  write  unto  His  Excellency  for  his  approba- 
tion, that  he  will  be  pleased  to  induct  (the  word  induct  is  mark- 
ed out  in  the  original  MS.  and  the  letters  app  written  over  it) 
our  minister,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Morgan."  At  the  same  time  "  Joseph 
Drake  and  Thomas  Pinckney  were  authorized  to  agree  with  a 
carpenter  to  build  a  pulpit  on  the  town's  account." 

Having  now  obtained  the  services  of  a  minister,  and  finding 
the  Church  pouring  in  upon  them,  the  inhabitants  once  more 
determined  to  petition  the  Assembly  for  an  act  to  seperate  them 
from  Westchester.  Whereupon,  at  a  town  meeting,  14th  of 
October,  1700,  "  Mr.  Henry  Fowler,  sen.,  was  authorized  by  the 
inhabitants  to  proceed  to  New- York  to  petition  the  General 
Assembly,  for  the  calling  and  settling  a  minister  with  ourselves, 
and  that  we  may  be  freed  from  Westchester  in  the  ministry."  , 

12th  of  King  William  III,  A.  D.,  1700,  occurs  an  act  of  the 
General  Assembly,  entitled  as  follows  : — 

AN  ACT  FOR  DECLARING  THE  TOWN  OF  EASTCHESTER  IN  THE 
COUNTY  OF  WESTCHESTER,  A  DISTINCT  PARISH  FROM  THE 
TOWN  OF  WESTCHESTER  IN  THE  COUNTY  AFORESAID. 

Passed  the  29th  of  October,  1700. 
"  Whereas,  by  an  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  this  Province,  entitled  : — An 
Act  for  settling  a  ministry  and  raising  a  maintenance  for  them  in  the  City  of 
New-York,  County  of  Richmond,  Westchester  and  Queens  County,  it  is  amongst 
other  things  declared  and  enacted,  that  the  towns  of  Westchester,  Eastchester, 
Lower  Yonkers  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  should 
be  a  parish  together,  for  the  better  maintaining  of  a  good  and  sufficient  Protestant 
minister ;  and,  whereas,  since  the  making  of  said  act,  it  has  been  found  incon- 
venient, and  to  the  great  discouragement  of  religion  and  the  public  worship  of 
God,  for  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  to  travel  to  Westchester  aforesaid,  to  be 
present  at  the  preaching  of  the  word  of  God  ;  wherefore,  the  said  Inhabitants  and 
Freeholders  of  the  town  of  Eastchester  aforesaid,  have,  by  their  humble  Petition 
to  the  House  of  Representatives,  now  convened  in  General  Assembly,  most  hum- 
bly prayed,  that  it  might  be  declared  and  enacted. 

I.  And  be  it  Declared  and  Enacted,  by  His  Excellency,  the  Governour  and 
Council  and  Representatives,  now  convened  in  General  Assembly,  and  by  the 
authority  of  the  same,  that  the  said  town  of  Eastchester,  in  the  County  of  West- 


AND  CHUECH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  365 

Chester  be  for  henceforth,  and  forever  hereafter,  separated  from  the  parish  of 
Westchester,  Eastchester,  Lower  Yonkers  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  to  all  in- 
tents, constructions  and  purposes  whatsoever ;  the  said  act,  entitled  An  Act  for 
settling  the  ministry  and  raising  a  maintenance  for  them,  in  the  City  of  New- 
York,  County  of  Richmond,  Westchester  and  Queens  County,  or  any  other  act  to 
the  contrary  hereof  in  anyways  notwithstanding. 

II.  And  be  it  Further  Enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid,  that  the  said  Town 
of  Eastchester,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  be,  and  is  hereby  declared  to  be  and 
remain  forever  a  distinct  parish  from  the  parish  of  Westchester,  Eastchester 
Lower  Yonkers  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  parish  of 
Eastchester,  in  the  County  of  Westchester :  Provided,  that  the  Freeholders  and 
Inhabitants  thereof  do  maintain  a  good  orthodox  Protestant  minister  in  the  said 
town  of  Eastchester;  any  law,  usage  or  custom  to  the  contrary  hereof,  in  any- 
ways notwithstanding."4 

March  the  6th,  1701,  the  inhabitants  "exchanged  4  rods  cf 
land  with  Joseph  Morgan,  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Eastchester." 

Upon  the  3rd  of  April,  1702,  John  Drake  and  Thomas 
Pinckney  were  authorized,  "To  agree  with  a  carpenter  to  make 
a  pulpit,  and  set  up  the  gallery  and  repair  the  window  shut- 
ters, &c." 

At  the  same  time,  John  Tompkins,  jun.,  was  also  chosen  "  To 
beat  the  drum  constantly,  every  Lord's  day  if  occasion  require, 
and  at  other  times  when  it  is  needful,  and  to  keep  the  drum  in 
repair  ;  and  the  said  inhabitants  do  promise  to  pay  him  therefor 
9  pence  a  piece,  every  one." 

Upon  the  19th  of  November,  1702,  the  Rev.  John  Bartow  was 
inducted  by  Governour  Cornbury.  into  the  parish  Church  of 
Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers  and  the  Manor  of  Pelham, 
notwithstanding  all  the  means  used  to  prevent  and  disturb  his 
settlement  by  the  Independents  ;  and  as  no  u  good  orthodox  Pro- 
testant minister''''  had  been  maintained  in  this  parish,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  late  act,  Mr.  Bartow  was  considered  as  legally  in- 
ducted, and  settled  over  all  the  rights  and  appurtenances  of  West- 
chester parish,  of  which  the  church  at  Eastchester  formed  a 
part.  This  fact  the  Independents  or  Presbyterians  themselves 
acknowledged  by  paying  their  quota  of  £50  per  annum,  towards 
Mr.  Bartow's  support,  according  to  the  first  settlement  in  1693. 


*  Laws  of  New- York,  vol.  1,  Chap.  90,  page  40. 


366  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

i 

On  the  18th  of  May,  1703,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  ap- 
pointed Mr.  Thos.  Pinckney  and  Mr.  Edmund  Ward,  "  To  draw 
an  obligation  with  Mr.  Joseph  Morgan,  minister,  for  one  year9 
for  his  encouragement,  and  to  see  who  will  subscribe  thereunto 
for  the  payment  of  the  town." 

The  following  extract,  from  a  letter  of  Mr.  Bartow  to  the  Sec- 
retary, in  1707,  shows,  however,  that  the  inhabitantsfinally  em- 
braced the  Church  of  England  and  accepted  of  him  as  their 
minister: — 

"  My  Lord  Cornbury  requested  me  to  go  and  preach  at  East- 
chester; accordingly  I  went,  (though  some  there  had  give  out 
threatening  words,  should  I  dare  to  come,)  but  tho'  I  was  there 
very  early,  and  the  people  had  notice  of  my  coming,  their  Pres- 
byterian minister,  Mr.  Morgan,  had  begun  service  in  the  meeting 
house,  to  which  I  went  straightway  and  continued  the  whole 
time  of  service  without  interruption,  and  in  the  afternoon  I  was 
permitted  to  perform  the  Church  of  England  service;  Mr.  Mor- 
gan being  present,  and  neither  he  nor  the  people  seemed  to  be 
dissatisfied,  and  after  some  time  of  preaching  there  afterwards, 
they  desired  me  to  come  oftener ;  and  I  concluded  to  minister 
there  once  a  month,  which  now  I  have  done  for  about  three 
years." 

In  regard  to  this  conformity  of  the  people  of  Eastchester  to 
the  Church  of  England,  Mr.  Hawkins  says: — "That the  popu- 
lation of  Eastchester  was  400,  who  being  Presbyterians,  obtain- 
ed an  act,  by  which  they  were  formed  into  a  separate  parish, 
and  obtained  a  minister  of  their  own  persuasion  ;  but  on  Mr. 
Bartow's  coming  among  them,  they  were  so  well  satisfied  with 
the  liturgy  and  doctrine  of  the  Church,  that  they  forsook  their 
minister  and  conformed  to  the  Church  of  England." 

In  an  address  to  the  Venerable  and  Honourable  Society  for 
Propagating  the  Gospel,  the  following  account  is  given  of  the 
building  of  the  church  at  Eastchester  : — 

"  May  it  please  the  Venerable  and  Honourable  Society  for 
Propagating  the  Gospel, — 

We,  whose  names  are  subscribed,  do  hereby  certify,   that   the 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  307 

Church  of  Eastchester  was  built  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1692 
by  subscription  of  the  inhabitants  of  said  town,  and  that  Mr. 
Matthews,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  for  about  three  years  and 
after  him  Mr.  Morgan,  a  Presbyterian  minister,  did  preach  till 
such  time  as  Mr.  Bartow  began  to  preach  unto  us  in  the  year 
1703,  since  which  time  it  has  been  in  his  possession,  and  he 
comes  and  preaches  at  Eastchester  once  in  four  weeks  during 
the  Winter,  and  once  in  eight  weeks  during  the  space  of  six 
months  in  the  Summer. 

And  we  further  certify  that  the  town  of  Eastchester  was 
made  a  distinct  parish  from  Westchester  in  the  year  1700." 

About  this  time  the  inhabitants  addressed  the  following  peti- 
tion to  Governour  Cornbury,  asking  for  an  abatement  in  their 
annual  quota  and  thanking  him  for  directing  Mr.  Bartow  to 
preach  among  them  : — 

PETITION  FROM  EASTCHESTER  TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY,  &c. 

"  The  Humble  Petition  of  John  Drake,  Joseph  Drake  and  William  Chadder- 
ton  in  the  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  Inhabitants  of  Eastchester, 

Skeweth  : 

That  Col.  Heathcote,  did,  at  the  request  of  your  Excellency's  Petitioners, 
move  your  Excellency  to  give  directions  that  what  the  Vestry  had  layd  on  the 
parish  of  Westchester  for  incidental  charges  over  the  minister's  rate  and  consta- 
ble's allowance  for  allowing  the  same,  might  be  abated  from  the  quoata  layd  on 
our  place,  we  being  burthened  with  much  more  than  our  just  proportion  of  that 
tax  ;  that  Col.  Heathcote  did  thereupon  inform  your  Excellency's  Petitioners,  that 
your  Excellency  had  been  pleased  to  direct  that  some  of  the  Justices  which  lived 
without  the  precincts,  should  make  inquiry  into  that  matter  and  make  report 
thereof  to  your  Excellency,  but  the  Justices  not  being  able  before  this  time  to  get 
in  the  list  of  estates  was  the  cause  of  the  delay  of  that  return,  so  hope  your 
Excellency  will  pardon  our  not  leavying  what  was  layd  upon  us,  by  the  late  Ves- 
try, and  will,  in  your  great  goodness  and  justice,  protect  us  from  paying  more 
than  our  fair  and  equal  proportion,  which  we  shall  always  most  readily  do, 
so  long  as  your  Excellency  shall  think  fitt  to  continue  us  joyned  to  that  Parish. 
We  are  exceeding  thankful  that  your  Excellency  hath  been  pleased  to  direct  Mr. 
Bartow  to  preach  sometimes  amongst  us,  for  we  assure  your  Excellency  that  'tii 
our  earnest  desires  to  come  under  the  Regulation  of  the  Church  of  England,  as 
by  law  established,  and  so  is  our  minister,  Mr.  Morgan,  for  which  reason  we  are 
desirous  to  continue  him  amongst  us,  and  maintaine  him  by  subscription  untill 
such  limes  as  your  Excellency  shall  think  fitt  to  have  the  parishes  in  the  County 
otherwise  divided,  which  are  at  present  so  very  inconvenient,  that  not  half  of  the 


368  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

people  can  have  the  benefit  of  the  ministry.  Your  Excellency  will  find,  by  the  re- 
turn of  the  Justices,  that  our  divident  of  the  late  rate  ought  not  to  have  been 
more  than  £l  5s.  Gd.,  and  the  Vestry  have  layd  £\b  10s.  upon  us,  and  there  being 
£l  10s.  laved  on  the  parish,  besides  the  Minister's  rate  and  the  Constables's  al- 
lowance for  leavying  the  same,  under  the  name  if  incidental  charges,  and  that 
some,  by  the  inequality  of  the  division  falling  wholly  upon  us;  we  therefore, 
most  humbly  implore  your  Excellency  to  direct  that  we  may  pay  no  more  at  this 
time  than  £8,  and  for  the  fuure  only  our  equal  divident,  and  as  in  duty  bound, 
your  Excellency's  Petitioners  shall  Ever  Pray,  &c. 

John  Drake, 
Joseph  Drake, 
William  Chatterton."  ■ 

The  foregoing  petition  shows  conclusively,  that  although 
Eastrhester  had  been  declared  a  separate  parish  from  Westches- 
ter, as  early  as  1700,  yet  the  Colonial  Governors  still  considered 
it  as  joined  to  that  parish  according  to  the  prior  act  of  1693. 

This  the  inhabitants  also  acknowledged  by  the  annual  election 
of  three  Vestrymen  for  the  precinct  and  paying  the  yearly  rates 
laid  on  the  parish.  The  choice  of  a  minister,  however,  and 
providing  for  his  support,  had  been  lodged  by  the  act  of  1693,  in 
the  Vestry,  and  the  choice  of  a  Vestry  in  the  people.  Into  the 
church  and  freehold  of  the  parsonage  lot  (as  it  was  then  styled) 
of  Eastchester,  Mr.  Bartow  had  been  legally  presented  by  the 
Vestry  and  inducted  by  the  Governour's  mandate,  as  we  have  al- 
ready seen. 

At  a  meeting  held  by  the  Justices  and  Vestry  of  Westchester, 
the  12th  of  December,  1705,  "John  Smith,  of  Eastchester,  consta- 
ble, in  the  year  1704,  proved  the  payment  of  £9  17s.  6d.,  which 
is  the  full  proportion  of  said  Town  for  that  year."  The  Vestry 
agreed  that,  "  Mr.  Bartow,  if  he  pleased,  shall  preach  at  East- 
chester every  fourth  Sabbath  day,  which  was  condescended  toby 
Mr.  Bartow." 

Upon  the  25th  of  February,  1711-12,  "at  a  town  meeting 
held  by  the  freeholders  of  Eastchester,  the  said  freeholders  did 
agree  by  vote,  that  Judge  Drake,  Isaac  Taylor,  and  Moses  Fow- 
ler, should  be  empowered  to  constitute  and  hire  a  man  or  men, 

*  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  vol.  III.  92-8. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  369 

as  they  shall  think  proper,  to  repair  and  finish  the  meeting 
house  and  making  a  pulpit  in  the  same  ;  and  also  to  have 
power  to  make  a  rate  on  all  and  every  of  the  freeholders  and. 
inhabitants  of  the  said  town,  that  shall  amount  to  as  much 
money  as  shall  defray  the  said  charges."  On  the  20th  of  March 
following,  tli is  resolution  was  repealed  and  the  same  men  em- 
powered to  "  Repair  the  meeting  house,  in  making  a  pulpit  and 
pew  in  it,  and  also  seal  and  make  seats  in  the  same  so  far  as  the 
boards  that  are  already  bought  will  go." 

The  next  year  the  Rev.  John  Bartow  contributed  £9  6s.  6d. 
towards  rectifying  the  pews  and  seats  in  East  and  Westchester 
Churches. 

In  1718,  Mr.  Bartow  informs  the  Society  that  some  efforts 
were  being  made  to  introduce  a  Presbyterian  minister  at  East- 
chester.  This  mustJaave  been  the  celebrated  William  Tennent, 
who  officiated  here  for  a  short  time  only,  from  whence  he  re- 
moved to  Bedford. 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
[extract.] 
Westchester,  in  the  Province  of  Neio-  York, 

Nov.  ISth,  1718. 
Worthy  Sir, 

"  I  am  sorry  that  I  have  occasion  to  acquaint  the  Society  that 
there  are  endeavours  now  on  foot  to  bring  in  a  Presbyterian 
minister  at  Eastchester.  Some  of  their  main  agents  have  been 
with  me  and  signified  their  design,  from  which  I  laboured  to  dis- 
suade them,  but  in  vain,  for  they  told  me  if  I  would  undertake 
to  come  and  preach  every  Lord's  day  in  their  town,  they  would 
be  contented,  otherwise,  they  would  have  a  minister  of  their 
own.  This  has  bred  a  division  amongst  the  people,  and  some 
are  for  it  and  some  against  it,  which  schism,  I  think,  would 
effectually  be  ended  if  they  had  a  minister  of  the  Church  of 
England  to  reside  amongst  them."' 

Mr.  Bartow,  writing  to  the  Secretary,  in  1725,  says  : — "The 


a  New  York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  555.  (Hawks.) 

24 


370  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

pulpit  and  wainscoat  of  the  church  at  Eastchester,  are  since 
decently  painted,  and  a  new  gallery  built,  and  the  Presbyterian 
minister  when,  he  comes  not  permitted  to  officiate  therein." 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Bartow,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Standard, 
was  inducted  "  To  the  rectory  of  Westchester,  the  glebe  thereof, 
and  to  all  the  rights  and  appurtenances  of  the  same/'' 

In  the  year  1728,  Mr.  Standard  officiated  every  other  Sunday 
at  Eastchester  and  publicly  catechised  the  children. a 

"  During  Mr.  Standard's  ministry  here,  some  trouble-making 
spirits  arose,  who  sought  to  upset  the  action  of  those  Presby- 
terians, who  joined  the  Church  in  Mr.  Birtow's  time,  and  get 
possession  of  the  old  building.  But  religious  contracts  were 
found  to  be  as  binding  as  civil  bargains.  Mr.  Standard  says, 
"The  Church  at  Eastchester  was  supposed  to  be  included  among 
the  rights  and  appurtenances  of  Westchester  parish  :  that  Mr. 
Bartow  was  legally  presented  and  inducted  into  the  church, 
and  died  possessed  of  it ;  that  he  too  was  legally  presented  and 
inducted,  and  therefore  laid  claim  to  it  as  his  own  proper  right 
exclusive  of  them,  and  so  kept  them  out  of  it.'"b 

In  1744,  Mr.  Standard,  who  had  now  taken  up  his  residence 
in  Eastchester,  writes  to  the  Secretary  as  follows  : — 

MR.  STANDARD  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

Eastchester,  May  Uth,  1744. 
Rev.  Sir, 
"  My  Brother  Vaughan  informs  me,  that  Archbishop  Tennison 
hath  left  upon  his  will,  £50  per  annum,  to  be  paid  to  the  oldest 
missionary,  being  an  Englishman,  which  missionary  he  saith  I 
am,  and  that  it  will  be  necessary  for  me  to  go  home  in  order  to 
obtain  it,  which  if  I  do,  and  apply  to  my  Lord  Chancellor,  he 
doubts  not  of  success  ;  and  he  further  adds,  that  Mr.  Talbot  re- 
ceived the  same  during  his  time.     If  you,  good  sir,  know-any 


a  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Soc. 

fc  See  Rev.  Henry  E.  Duncan's  Jubilee  Sermon  for  1851. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  371 

tiling  of  that  affair,  be  pleased  to  communicate  it  to  me  and  to 
intercede  for  leave  for  me  to  come  home. 

I  am  yours  and  the  Venerable  Society's 
very  humble  servant, 

Thomas  Standard. "a 

The  following  year  he  informs  the  Society,  that  the  parishes 
of  East  and  Westchester  are  in  a  peaceable  and   growing  state. 

As  church  business  was  at  this  time  transacted  with  town 
matters,  we  find  the  inhabitants  electing  a  sexton  for  Eastehes- 
ter.  On  April  the  1st,  1755,  it  was  resolved,  "That  Richard 
Stevens  be  appointed  grave-digger  for  the  town,  for  the  year 
ensuing,  and  to  dig  a  grown  persons  grave  for  six  shillings  and 
three  shillings  for  children."  On  the  7th  of  April,  1756,  the  town 
appointed  the  same  individual  grave-digger  and  sexton  fur  the 
town. 

In  1758,  Mr.  Standard  presented  the  bell  to  the  church,  which 
still  summons  the  parishioners  every  Lord's  day  to  the  house  of 
prayer,  and  by  it.  "  He  being  dead,  yrt  speak.eth." 

At  the  commencement  of  this  year,  the  aged  missionary  was 
called  to  mourn  over  the  grave  of  an  affectionate  wife,  who 
came  to  her  death  in  a  terrible  manner,  as  appears  by, the  fol- 
lowing extract  taken  from  the  New- York  Post  Boy,  of  February 
Gth,  1758: — "  We  have  the  following  most  schocking  and  mel- 
ancholy account  from  Eastchester,  viz: — that  on  Friday  morn- 
ing, the  27th  of  January,  Mrs.  Man/  Standard,  aged  about 
seventy  years,  wife  to  the  Rev.  Doctor  Thomas  /Standard,  of 
that  place,  was  found  dead  on  the  chimney  hearth  of  one  of  the 
apartments  in  the  house,  having  her  head,  the  chief  part  of  both 
her  breasts,  with  her  left  arm  and  shoulder  entirely  burnt  to 
cinders.  It  appears  that  the  unfortunate  old  gentleman  and  his 
more  unfortunate  old  lady,  had,  upon  some  necessary  occasion 
the  evening  before,  agreed  to  lay  separate;  and  the  Doctor  taking 


■  New  York  MSS.  from  Archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  152.  (Hawk's).     "  hi  17A5 
Mr.  Delpech  was  schoolmaster  at  Eastehesicr." 


372  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

his  leave,  went  to  bed,  leaving  his  wife  sitting  before  the  fire, 
where,  it  is  imagined,  the  poor  old  gentlewoman  must  either 
have  been  seized  with  a  fit,  or  in  rising  from  her  chair,  had 
fallen  into  the  fire,  and  being  undoubtedly  rendered  unable  to 
move  herself,  she  became  the  most  moving  spectacle  imaginable 
to  the  most  affectionate  and  tender  husband,  who  first  discover- 
ed her  in  the  morning." 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Standard  died  at  Eastchester,  in  January, 
1760,  at  the  advanced  age  of  nearly  eighty,  and  was  buried  by 
the  side  of  his  wife,  beneath  the  chancel  of  the  old  church,  on 
the  Green.  In  1818,  their  bodies  were  removed  by  order  of  the 
Vestry  and  interred  under  the  communion  table  of  the  present 
edifice. a 

The  Rev.  John  Milner  succeeded  Mr.  Standard,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  and  was  induc- 
ted rector  of  the  parish  Church  of  Westchester,  including  the 
several  districts  of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers  and  the 
Manor  of  Pelham,  on  the  l2thof  June,  1761. 

The  following  extract  from  the  town  records  relates  to  the 
parsonage  lot,  described  in  1695,  as  "Lying  upon  the  Green  in 
Eastchester  :" — "  At  a  public  town  meeting  called  by  the  justices 
of  the  rown  to  enquire  into  several  encroachments  on  lands  in 
said  town,  held  in  Eastchester,  on  Monday,  the  30th  day  of 
August,  1762.  it  was  agreed,  that  these  men  (Jonathan  Fowler, 
Chailes  Vincent,  John  Fowler  and  Joseph  Drake)  should  regu- 
late the  parsonage,  and  to  take  a  bond  of  Isaac  Lawrence  of  in- 
demnity, to  deliver  up  the  same  to  the  town  again  at  his  de- 
cease."15 

It  was  during  Mr.  Milner's  ministry  that  the  foundation  of 
the  present  church  was  laid.     In  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the 


»  Their  remains  were  found  in  a  good  state  of  preservation,  but  crumbled  to 
pieces  on  exposure  to  the  atmosphere.  Tradition  says,  that  Mr.  Standard  gave 
certain  lands  to  the  Church  on  condition  that  the  remains  of  himself  and  wife 
should  be  removed  whenever  a  new  edifice  should  be  built, 

h  Town  Records  of  Eastchester. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  373 

Venerable   Society,  dated  Westchester,    1761,  he  says: — "The 

people  of  Eastchester  have  laid  the  foundation  of  a  now  church 
of  stone,  seventy  one  feet  by  eighty-eight,  in  the  room  of  a  small 
decayed  wooden  building  erected  in  the  infancy  of  the  settle- 
ment." 

In  the  year  1766,  Mark  Christian  was  appointed  sexton  for  the 
town,  an  office  which  he  subsequently  held  under  the  trustees 
of  the  church.  Upon  the  1st  of  April,  of  that  year,  he  was 
directed,  "To  take  care  of  the  Green,  to  see  that  hogs  don't  dig 
and  to  dig  graves,  and  to  find  a  good  biet."a 

On  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Milner,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sea- 
bury,  afterwards  Bishop  of  Connecticut,  and  the  first  Ameri- 
can Bishop,  was  inducted  rector  of  the  parish  Church  of  West- 
chester and  its  precincts,  3rd  of  Dec,  176).  June  25th,  1767, 
he  writes  to  the  Secretary  in  these  words: — "  At  Eastchester, 
which  is  four  miles  distant,  the  congregation  is  generally  larger 
than  at  Westchester.  The  old  church  in  which  they  meet,  as 
yet,  is  very  cold.  They  have  erected  and  just  completed  the 
roof  of  a  large  well  built  stone  church,  on  which  they  have  ex- 
pended, they  say,  £700  currency ;  but  their  ability  seems  ex- 
hausted, and  I  fear  I  shall  never  see  it  finished.  I  applied  last 
winter  to  his  Excellency,  Sir  Henry  Moore,  for  a  brief  in  their 
favour,  but  the  petition  was  rejected." 

In  1777,  he  wrote  to  the  Society  : — ;{  With  regard  to  my  own 
mission,  I  can  only  say,  that  it  is  utterly  ruined."  Services  had 
been  suspended  for  some  time  in  Eastchester,  and  the  congrega- 
tion dispersed.  At  this  period  the  church  was  used  as  an  hos- 
pital, and  subsequently  served  the  purpose  of  a  court  house. 
The  following  item  occurs  in  the  records  of  the  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas: — "  At  a  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  and  General 
Jail  Delivery,  held  at  the  Church  at  Eastchester,  in  and  for  the 
County  of  Westchester,  on  Tuesday,  the  12th  day  of  June,  in 


•  At  a  town  meeting  held  7th  of  April,  1707,  "It  was  agreed,  that  Dr.  Wright 
shouU  not  be  molested  in  his  burring  yard  on  said  Green  in  said  To\vn.:' — Town 
Records. 


£74  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  year  of  our  Lord,  1787,  present,  the  Honourable  Richard 
Morris.  Esq.,  Chief-Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Judicature; 
for  the  State  of  New-York,  Stephen  Ward,  Jonathan  J.  Tomp- 
kins, Ehenezer  S.  Burling,  and  Benjamin  Stevenson,  Justices  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer  and  General  Jail  Delivery  for  the  County 
of  Westchester,  &c." 

St.  Paul's  Church,  Eastchester,  was  first  incorporated  on  the 
12th  of  March, 1787,  in  pursuance  of  an  Act  of  the  Legislature, 
entitled  : — 

AX  ACT  TO  ENABLE  ALL  THE  RELIGIOUS  DENOMINATIONS  IN 
THE  STATE,  TO  APPOINT  /TRUSTEES  WHO  SHALL  BE  A  BODY 
CORPORATE  FOR  THE  PURPOSE  OF  TAKING  CARE  OF  THE 
TEMPORALITIES  OF  THEIR  RESPECTIVE  CONGREGATIONS, 
AND  FOR  OTHER  PURPOSES  THEREIN  MENTIONED. 

Passed  6lh  April,  1781. 

'■  The  preamble  of  this  act  recites  the  38th  article  of  the  Constitution. 

Article  1. —  Directs  that  not  less  than  three  or  exceeding  nine  in  number  of 
Trustees,  are  to  be  elected,  to  transact  all  affairs  relative  to  the  temporalities 
of  their  respective  churches. 

Article  4. — Whether  the  same  consist  of  lands,  tenements.  &c,  and  whether'the 
same  shall  have  been  given,  granted  or  devised  to  and  for  their  use,  and  they  and 
their  successors  shall  lawfully  have,  hold,  use,  exercise  and  enjoy  all  and  sin- 
gular the  churches,  meeting  houses,  parsonages,  burying  places  and  lands  there- 
unto belonging,  with  the  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  heretofore  by  the  said 
church  occupied  or  enjoyed,  by  whatsoever  name  or  names,  person  or  persons,  as 
if  the  same  were  puichased  and  had,  or  to  them  giyen  or  granted,  or  by  them  or 
any  of  them  used  and  enjoyed  for  the  uses  aforesaid,  to  them  and  their  successors, 
to  the  sole  and  only  proper  use  and  benefit  of  them  the  said  Trustees  and  their 
Surce.-sors  for  ever,  &c. 

Article.  6. — And  the  Trustees  are  also  to  regulate  and  order  the  renting  the  pews 
in  the  said  churches,  and  the  perquisites  of  the  said  church  arising  from  the  brea- 
king of  the  ground  in  the  cemetery,  or  church  yard,  and  in  the  churches  for 
burying  the  dead,  &c,  a 

Under  this  Act,  the  following  persons  were  elected  Trustees : 


*  "  The  trustees  were  directed  to  make  an  annual  report  between  the  1st  of  Janua- 
ry, and  the  1st  of  April,  to  the  Chancellor,  or  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  or  any  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  &c."  Laws  of  N. 
Y.,  1778  to  1787,  Greenleaf's  edition,  Vol.  i.  chap,  xviii,  71. 


ASTD  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  375 

"  Thomas  Bartow,  John  Wright,  Isaac  Ward,  Elisha  Shute, 
Lew.s  Guion,  arid  Philip  Pel!,  jun. 

After  this  incorporation,  all  management  of  the  Church  and 
Church  property  at  town  meetings  is  dropped.  The  Church 
now  manages  her  own  affairs,  her  power  and  right  to  do  so,  be- 
ing fully  recognized  by  the  town,  for  upon  the  3d  of  April, 
1787,  prior  to  the  incorporation,  it  was  resolved  at  town  meet- 
ing, "  To  erect  a  school  house,  and  to  set  it  on  the  Green  near 
where  the  stocks  formerly  stood,"  but  this  resolution  was  never 
carried  into  effect,  because  the  Church  had  been  incorporatedj 
and  consequently  claimed  the  Green  exclusively  as  her  own.  In 
1790,  therefore,  it  was  ordered  by  thetown,  "To  build  the  school 
house  on  town  g  ound.  by  Charles  Guion's,  where  it  formerly 
stood."  Again,  at  a  town  meeting  in  1 792,  it  was  declared  "  That 
the  burial  ground  shall,  and  of  right,  ought  to  belong  to  the 
Church."  After  the  election  of  the  Trustees,  too,  the  sexton 
was  always  appointed  by  the  Church. 

On  the  10th  of  December,  1787,  an  agreement  was  entered 
into  between  a  majority  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Episcopal  Church 
in  Eastchester,  of  the  one  part,  and  William  Heskins,  carpen- 
ter, of  the  other  part,  wherein  the  latter  agreed  "  To  erect  and 
build  a  pulpit,  reading  desk,  and  clerk's  seat  in  the  said  church, 
according  to  the  dimensions  in  the  plan  by  him  exhibited  to  the 
said  Trustees,  and  the  form  of  the  pulpit  in  the  church  at 
Yonkers,  &c." 

The  Trustees  not  only  anxious  to  finish  the  church,  but  to 
obtain  the  services  of  a  suitable  minister,  addressed  the  follow- 
ing letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moore,  afterwards  Bishop  of  the  Dio- 
cese : — 

TO  THE  REV.  BENJAMIN  MOORE. 

Eastchester,  15th  Dec,  1787. 

Rev.  Sir,, 
"  We  have  this  day  disposed  of  the  pew  ground  in  our  church 
in  a  manner  that  promises  success  to  our  religious  endeavours. 
We  have  also  a  prospect  of  completing  our  church  in  a  respectable 


376  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

manner,  and  New  Rochelle  will  join  us  in  engaging  a  gentleman 
of  the  profession  of  the  gospel  to  officiate  in  the  two  places. 
From  a  reliance  on  your  pious  wishes  to  promote  the  Christian 
Religion,  we  beg  leave  that  whenever  a  gentleman  of  character, 
and  qualified,  in  your  opinion,  for  our  purpose,  may  come  to 
your  knowledge,  and  whose  condition  may  be  adapted  to  our 
situation,  that  you'll  please  to  signify  the  same  to  us. 
We  are,  Rev.  Sir,  with  much  respect, 

your  humble  servants, 

The  Trustees." 

In  1789,  the  Trustees  appointed  Marcus  Christian  for  one 
year,  bell  ringer  of  the  church,  for  which  service  he  was  al- 
lowed $4  per  annum. a 

The  following  year,  the  inhabitants  of  Eastchester  appear  to 
have  associated  themselves  in  the  ministry,  with  the  parish  of 
Yonkers,  for,  "  at  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  March  20th,  1790, 
Mr.  Pell,  one  of  the  Trustees,  produced  a  letter  directed  to  the 
Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  the  State  of 
New-York,  requesting  the  favor  of  his  visiting  the  church  in 
Eastchester  next  month,  in  order  to  ordain  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cooper, 
a  priest  for  this  and  Yonkers  church."  On  this  occasion, 
William  Crawford  was  requested  to  render  an  account  of  the 
rent  due  the  church  from  him,  for  the  glebe. 

In  1792,  we  find  the  town  defining  the  boundaries  necessary 
for  the  church,  for  a  yard  and  burial  ground  ;  accommodating 
the  remainder,  of  what  was  called  the  Church  Green,  (the  site  of 


»  At  a  meeting  of  the  Vestry  on  the  7th  of  May,  1791,  "  Marcus  Christian,  the 
sexton  to  the  church  in  Eastchester,  was  sent  for  and  examined  respecting  the  bell's 
being  rung  on  Saturday,  the  30th  of  April,  on  the  family  of  James  Bogart's  mo- 
ving out  of  this  place,  which  charge  he  denied,  and,  in  his  examination,  said  he 
was  lame  in  bed,  and  was  not  at  the  church  that  day.  He  was  further  examined 
on  his  former  conduct,  on  his  selling  licure  in  the  belfrie  of  the  church,  on  a 
training  day,  which  he  acknowledged.  Whereupon  they  did  agree  he  was  not 
worthy  to  keep  the  keys  of  the  church,  or  to  be  employed  as  sexton  ;  upon  which 
he  delivered  the  key  and  was  dismissed  the  service."t 

In  1791  James  Pell  was  elected  sexton  and  bell  ringer.    He  was  succeeded 
by  Benjamin  Bartow  in  1794. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  377 

the  old  church,  and  burial  place  of  one  of  its  ministers)  to  jnib- 
lic  occasions,  and  appointing  trustees  to  carry  the  same  into  exe- 
cution, notwithstanding  the  church  had  been  in  possession  ex- 
clusively for  nearly  one  hundred  years. 

"  At  a  town  meeting  held  in  Eastchester,  3d  of  April,  1792,  it  was  agreed  as 
follows: — and  it  is  also  agreed  by  vote  at  this  town  meeting,  that  there  shall  be 
three  trustees  chosen,  who  shall  have  power,  and  are  hereby  authorized  to  affix 
and  ascertain,  in  conjunction  with  the  trustees  of.  the  Episcopal  Church  of  the 
town  of  Enstchester,  the  quantity  and  boundaries  of  the  laud  necessary  for  said 
church  and  burying  ground,  and  such  boundaries  when  so  fixed  and  determined  on 
shall  be  declared  in  a  certificate  by  the  said  trustees  of  the  town,  which  is  now 
to  be  chosen,  under  their  hands  and  seals,  and  delivered  to  the  Trustees  of  said 
Church,  which  certificate  shall  forever  hereafter  operate  as  a  bar  to  any  claim  of 
this  town  to  the  lands  within  the  said  described  boundaries.  Power  was  also 
given  to  the  trustees  to  lease  out  any  of  the  public  lands  and  tenements  to  the 
best  advantage.  The  meeting  proceeded  to  nominate  and  choose  three  men  as 
trustees  of  said  town,  viz  :  Nehemiah  Marshall,  Benjamin  Morgan,  and  James 
Morgan. 

The  following  certificate  appears  in  the  town  books  immedi- 
ately after  the  above  resolution  : — 

"  Whereas,  we,  the  subscribers,  by  a  vote  and  order  of  the  town  meeting  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Eastchester,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  held  in 
said  town  on  the  3d  day  cf  April,  1792,  were  authorized  and  empowered  to  affix 
and  ascertain,  in  conjunction  with  the  Trustees  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
Eastchester  aforesaid,  the  boundaries  and  quantity  of  land  necessary  and  conve- 
nient for  said  church,  and  for  a  burial  place  adjacent  to  the  same. 

And  whereas,  we,  the  said  subscribers,  having  on  the  day  of  the  date  hereof, 
met  with  a  majority  of  the  trustees  of  said  church,  and  having  proceeded  to 
view  the  premises,  and  in  order  to  furnish  the  said  church  with  sufficiency  of 
ground  for  a  yard  and  burial  ground,  and  also  to  accommodate  the  remainder  of 
what  is  called  the  Green,  to  public  occasions,  Do,  in  pursuance  of  the  trust  re- 
posed in  us  by  the  vote  or  or«Ler  abovementioned,  hereby  ccrtifiy,  that  the  said 
trustees  of  the  church  aforesaid  shall,  and  of  right  ought  to  possess  the  ground 
comprehended  within  the  limits  following,  for  the  use  and  purposes  aforesaid, 
that  is  to  say :— Beginning  at  the  distance  of  34£  feet  directly  north-east,  from  the 
north-east  corner  of  said  Church,  from  thence  extending  in  a  straight  line  wes- 
terly, observing  the  distance  of  29  feet  from  the  front  of  said  church,  until  it  comes 
to  the  edge  of  the  barrk  between  the  upland  and  salt  marsh,  thence  southerly  by 
the  s^id  bank  and  marsh,  until  it  comes  to  the  fence  by  the  salt  meadows,  at  a 
monument  stone,  from,  thence  easterly  along  said  fence,  until  a  line  be  drawn  par- 
allel from  the  first  mentioned  boundaries,  at  the  distance  of  20  feet  from  the  east 
side  of  said  church,  will  touch  the  said  fence,  and  along  that  line  to  the  first  men- 
tioned bounds.    Nevertheless,  always  reserving  to  the  proprietors  of  salt  meadow> 


378  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

adjoin  in,;'  said   land,  and  those  who  have  meadows  southerly  of  said  land,  their 
usual  right  of  way  in  goins  to  and  coming  from  said  meadows  with  their  hay, 
through  the  land  above  described. 
Witness  our  hands  and  seals,  the  28th  day  of  April,  1792. 

Bes.  Morgan,  [l.  s.] 

James  Morga.v,  [r,.  a.] 

NeHEMIaH  iMARSHALL.     [l.  S.J 

Witnesses,  William  Crawford,  Dorcas  Crawford."* 

Now,  although  the  origin  of  the  first  church  edifice  in  the  town 
of  Eastchester  is  clearly  traceable  to  the  action  of  the  town, 
yet  it  is  very  evident  that  it  was  first  commenced  in  1692-3,  by 
a  tax  levied  on  Churc  mien  and  Dissenters,  promiscuously,  ac- 
cording to  their  real  estate,  and  not  finished  until  the  act  of 
1699  was  passed,  which  provided,  that  "The  trustees  of  each 
town  were  to  make  a  yearly  rate  for  building  a  church  where 
wanting."  According  to  the  principles  of  common  law,  at  this 
period,  meeting  houses  erected  by  public  tax  belonged  to  the 
church  established  by  law.  Hence,  we  find  Mr.  Bartow  and  his 
successors  after  their  establishment  and  induction,  by  the  then 
Governours,  claiming  the  chapel  or  meeting  house  at  East- 
chesleras  their  own,  and  not  only  so,  but  keeping  the  Dissenters 
out  of  it.  The  parsonage  or  glebe  with  all  its  rights  and  appur- 
tenances was  likewise  voted  for  public  purposes,  and  belonged 
to  the  rector  ex-officio,  for,  say  the  rules  of  common  law,  con- 
cerning glebes,  "Every  church  of  common  right  is  entitled  to 
hous3  and  glebe"  and  "  After  induction  the  freehold  of  the  glebe 
is  in  the  parson."  Whilst  the  wardens  and  vestrymen,  who  were 
the  choice  of  the  people,  elected  the  rector  and  provided  for  his 
support,  the  rate-payers  appear  to  have  regulated  the  burial 
ground,  voted  repairs  to  the  church  when  necessary,  and  ap- 
pointed the  sexton,  as  was  done  in  many  other  parishes.  This 
was  the  state  of  things  prior  to  the  Revolution.  After  peace  was 
established  and  New- York  was  finally  organized  as  a  State,  an 


*  Town  Records.  "  In  1803,  the  town  granted  one  hundred  dollars  to  be  laid 
out  in  fencing  the  burial  ground  of  the  church  of  Eastchester,  and  supervisors 
and  overseers  were  directed  to  see  it  expended."  "  At  the  same  time  a  vote  was 
taken  to  alter  the  right  of  way  through  the  burial  ground  to  the  verge  thereof, 
and  that  of  the  salt  meadows  belonging  to  the  town." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  379 

act  was  passed  in  1734  for  the  incorporation  of  religions  socie- 
ties, and  under  this  act.  we  have  seen,  the  church  at  Eastch es- 
ter was  incorporated.  Now  this  act  conferred  on  trustees  the 
right,  "  Lawfully,  to  have,  hold,  use,  exercise  and  enjoy  all  and 
singular  the  churches,  meeting  houses,  parsonages,  burying 
places  and  hinds,  thereunto  belonging,  with  the  hereditaments 
an  1  appurtenances  heretofore  by  the  said  church  occupied  or 
enjoyed,  &c."  Whatever  rights,  therefore,  the  church  possessed 
prior  to  the  Revolution,  were  still  continued  to  her  by  the  act  of 
178-1. 

Subsequently,  however,  to  the  joint  action  of  the  trustees 
"  The  Church  appointed  three  persons  to  unclose  the  land  set  off 
to  the  church  by  the  town,"  as  appears  from  the  following  res- 
olutions : — 

"  At  a  meeting  of  the  trustees  held  at  the  honso  of  Win.  Crawford,  on  the  12th  of 
March,  1793,  it  was  resolved  as  follows:  Resolved,  that  Messrs.  Stephen  Ward,  Lan- 
caster Underbill,  and  Abraham  Valentine,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  authorised  and 
empowered  to  inclose  the  land  belonging  to  the  church  in  Eastchester,  as  laid  out 
and  asce-taiued  by  trustees  chosen  on  the  part  of  the  town  of  Eastchester,  and  the 
trustees  of  the  church,  by  a  board  fence  on  the  whole  front  or  north  side  thereof, 
composed  of  one  board  at  the  bottom  and  slitted  above,  and  that  the  same  be  of  the 
height  of  four  feet  and  a  half  ;  and  the  other  parts  of  said  land  to  be  inclosed  by  a 
post  and  rail  fence,  or  such  board  fence  as  aforesaid,  and  that  the  said  persons  com- 
plete the  same  as  conveniently  may  b;,  &c." 

"  Resolved  further,  that  the  above  mentioned  persons  take  and  receive  the  profits 
thereof  by  ploughing,  for  two  seasons,  any  of  the  said  land,  except  that  within  the 
compass  of  the  burial  place,  and  after  that  to  take  the  grass  growing  out  of  the  said 
land  by  pasturing  and  mowing  the  same,  and  render  an  account  yearly  to  the  said 
trustees  of  such  profits,  until  a  full  compensation  be  made  by  the  use  thereof  for  their 
trouble  and  expense  in  fencing  the  said  laud.'1 

The  presumption  is,  that  the  trustees  of  the  church  supposing 
their  title  to  the  ground  in  question,  invalidated  either  by  the 
reorganization  of  the  Church  in  17S7,  or  of  the  town  in  1788,  or 
perhaps  of  both,  acted  as  the  recipient  of  the  same  from  the 
town,  an  1  wisely  asserted  no  claim.  It  is  certain  that  her  action 
in  1793  did  not  weaken  the  title  she  possessed    in   any  land 


*  Church  Records,  commencing  A.  D.  17c!7. 


3S0  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

rightfully  belonging  to  her  ;  whilst  the  effect  of  the  certificate, 
as  declared  in  the  resolution  of  the  town  before  quoted,  was  to 
be  forever  a  bar  to  any  claim  on  the  part  of  the  town  to  the 
lands  set  off.a 

This  church  was  again  incorporated  on  the  4th  of  October, 
1795.  by  the  style  and  title  of  ':  St.  Paul's  Church  in  the 
Town  of  Eastchester,"0  in  pursuance  of  an  Act  passed  for 
the  relief  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  on  the  17th  of 
March,  previous.  Upon  this  occasion,  William  Popham  and 
Lancaster  Underbill  were  elected  church  wardens;  Philip  Pell, 
Lewis  Guion,  Isaac  Ward.  John  Reed,  Isaac  Guion,  Abraham 
Valentine,  William  Pinckney  and  William  Crawford,  vestry- 
men. 

In  179S,  the  connection  between  this  parish  and  Yonkers  was 
dissolved,0  and  an  association  formed  with  Westchester  in  order 
to  procure  a  minister.  Upon  the  9th  of  March,  1799,  Mr.  Isaac 
Wilkins,  then  in  deacon's  orders,  was  called  to  officiate  as  min- 
ister of  the  united  parishes  of  West  and  Eastchester. 

In  1801  the  Vestry  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Rec- 
tor, Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  Trinity  Church,  New- York  : — 

TO  THE  RT.  REV.  RECTOR  AND  THE  WARDENS  AND  VESTRY- 
MEN OF  THE  CORPORATION  OF  TRINITY  CHURCH  IN  THE 
CITY  OS  NEW  YORK. 

"  The  wardens  aiid  vestrymen  of  St.  Paul's  church  at  Eastchester,  in  the  County 
of  Westchester,  from  a  firm  belief  of  the  disposition  of  the  corporation  of  the  Trin- 
ity Church  to  aid  and  assist  their  sister  Churches  in  every  undertaking  or  design  for 
encouraging  and  advancing  the  interest  and  increase  of  their  respective  congrega- 
tions ;  and  also  from  the  consideration  of  their  having  heretofore  extended  their  lib- 
erality to  other  Churches  whose  circumstances  were  not  more  needy,  are  induced 
to  make  the  following  Representation  of  the  situation  of  the  said  Church,  viz  :  that  it 


*  See  Report  to  the  trustees  of  the  town  of  Eastchester  as  to  the  title  to  the  bu- 
rying ground  attached  to  St.  Paul's  Church  at  Eastchester,  by  Renssalaer  Ten  Broeck, 
N.  Y.  1853. 

b  County  Rec.  Religious  Soc.  Lib.  A.  10,  11,  12. 

c  Air.  Cooper's  farewell  sermon  was  delivered  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  June  16th,  1708, 
from  2  Cor.  xiii,  11.  In  the  course  of  it  he  alludes  to  nine  years  of  service  at  Eastches- 
ter. ,  m 


ANDCHUECIIOFEASTCHESTER.  38* 

Was  built  some  few  years  before  the  Revolution,  but  left  unfinished.  That  by  the  depre- 
dations commonly  attendant  thereon,  it  was  greatly  injured,  the  wooden  part  of  it  be- 
iiiLT  taken  away,  whereby  the  walls  were  exposed  and  so  much  impaired,  that  short- 
ly after  the  return  of  peace,  the  little  remaining  part  of  the  former  congregation 
exerted  their  best,  the  war  having  enfeebled  their  abilities,  to  put  the  church  in  some 
sort  of  order  for  public  worship,  and  engaged  a  minister,  and  in  conjunction  With 
"Westchester  do  still  ietain  one  who  promises  by  his  talents  as  a  teacher,  with  an 
exemplary  conduct,  to  promote  the  cause  of  religion  and  enlarge  the  congregation,  &c." 

In  April.  1S17,  the 

REV.  RAVAUD  KEARNY,  A.  M., 

succeeded  Mr.  Wilkins  as  minister  of  this  parish.  He  was 
the  son  of  Philip  Kearny,  whose  grandfather,  Michael  Kearny, 
emigrated  from  Ireland  to  this  country  in  1706.  He  was  born 
at  Newark,  N.  J.  22nd  of  August,  1791,  entered  Columbia  Col- 
lege in  1808  and  graduated  Bachelor  and  Master  of  Arts  in  1812. 
In  1816  he  was  ordained  deacon,  and  the  year  following  Priest, 
by  the  Right  Rev.  John  H.  Hobart,  and  soon  afterwards  com- 
menced his  labors  here.  In  1821,  he  relinquished  the  rector- 
ship of  this  parish,  and  confined  himself  to  the  Church  at  New 
Rochelle,  to  which  benefice  he  was  called  in  1819.  Sometime 
in  1822,  he  resigned  the  charge  of  the  latter,  and  accepted  a 
call  to  St.  Mary's  Parish,  Maryland,  from  whence  he  removed 
to  St.  John's  Church,  Canandaigua,  West  New-York,  and  in 
1828  took  charge  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  Red  Hook,  Duchess 
County,  of  which  lie  remained  rector  until  the  day  of  his  death. 
He  diedSih  of  May,  1844.  His  remains  were  brought  to  New- 
York  and  interred  in  the  family  vault  at  St.  Mark's  Church  in 
the  Bowery. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Kearny,  the 

REV.  LEWIS  P.  BAYARD, 

from  the  Diocese  of  New  Jersey,  was  elected  rector  of  the 
parish.  He  continued  faithfully  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his 
office  both  here  and  in  New  Rochelle,  until  the  14th  of  October, 
1826,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the 

REV.  LAWSON  CARTER, 
for  whose  successors,  see  list  of  rectors. 


382  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

The  first  delegates  from  this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Conven- 
tion.-in  1787,  were  Philip  Pell;  Sen.,  and  Thomas  Bartow. 
THE  CHURCH. 

We  have  previously  shown  that  the  present  church  edifice 
was  erected  in  1765,  by  the  inhabitants  of  this  town.  Situated, 
in  a  pleasant  valley,  bordering  the  Aqueanouncke,  it  presents 
from  the  neighboring  hills  a  very  picturesque  appearance.  The 
building  is  remarkable  for  the  solid  character  of  its  masonry 
the  angles  of  the  edifice  being  ornamented  with  rustic  quoins, 
the  windows  and  doors  also  having  rustics.  A  vestry  and  school 
room  have  just  been  built,  opening  into  the  east  end  of  the  church. 
On  the  west  end,  is  a  neat,  square  tower  of  three  stages,  wilh 
narrow  lights,  terminating  in  an  octangular  lantern,  containing  a 
bell  which  bears  the  following  inscription  : —  "  I'he  Gift  of  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Standard,  175S.     Lester  fy  Pack,  fecit?*- 

Immediately  above  the  tower  door  are  inscribed  the  initials  of 
the  principal  benefactors,  viz.: — P.  R.  P.— P.  P. — D.  V. — also  a 
tablet  of  red  sand  stone,  bearing  the  date  of  erection,  1765. 
The  whole  edifice  has  recently  undergone  considerable  repairs; 
a  new  chancel  arrangement  made,  the  walls  painted  in  frescoe, 
and  the  church  newly  seated.  It  deserves  to  be  mentioned  that 
the  pulpit  and  reading  desk,  were  originally  placed  between  the 
two  south  windows.  Beneath  the  chancel  floor  repose  the  re- 
mains of  the  Rev.  Thomas  Standard,  former  rector  of  the  par- 
ish, and  Mary,  his  wife.  \.w  the  gallery  is  a  fine  toned  organ, 
presented  by  George  Rapalye,  E^q.,  in  1833,  at  a  cost  of  $800. 
The  chandalier  and  sheds  were  also  his  gift. 

The  communion  silver  consists  of  aflaggon,  four  chalices  and 
paten.  The  former  bears  the  following  inscription  : — "  To  St. 
Paul's  Church,  Eastchester,  N.  Y.  In  memory  of  Mrs.  Mary 
Grigg,h  obt.  Jan.  2d,  1844,  jE  71  years. 

The  chalices  are  inscribed  as   follows  : — 1st.    ';  The  gift  of 

1  During  the  Revolutionary  War  the  bell  and  prayer  book,  formely  used  by 
the  Mi-sionari°s  of  the  Ven.  Prop.  Soc,  were  buried  for  safe  keeping,  on  thefarna 
known  as  the  old  Ross  place,  and  now  owned  by  E.  C.  Halsey,  Esq. 

fc  This  lady  was  the  daughter  of  Joshua  Pell,  Esq.,  grandson  of  Thomas  Pell, 
,-econd  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Pelham. 


St.  Paul's  Church  Eastchester— Erected  A.  D.  1765. 


St.  John's  Church,  Yonkers— Erected  A.  D.  1753. 


!To  face  page  383.] 


lr  AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  383 

ederick  Van  Cortlandt,St.  PauVs  Church,  Eastchcster,  A.  D. 
1829."  2d  and  3d,  marked  "A.  &"•  4th,  "  St,  Paul's  Church, 
Eastchcster,  N.  Y.,  from  Mrs.  John  Quittcy  Adams,  1S29."  This 
chalice  is  not  only  rendered  valuable  by  the  distinguished  lady 
who  gave  it.  but  by  the  melancholy  story  associated  therewith.13 

In  the  old  church  book,  occurs  the  following  memorandum: 
— "  To  cash  paid  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cooper,  to  buy  a  communion  cup, 
£1  15  7,  March  18th,  1793."  Near  the  church  is  the  rectory, 
built  by  subscription  in  the  year  1849  ;  it  is  of  native  stone  with, 
pointed  gables,  and  forms  quite  a  pretty  object  when  viewed 
from  the  church  Green.  Upon  the  latter,  between  the  ancient 
locust  trees  and  burial  ground,  formerly  stood  the  old  church, 
built  by  the  Independents  about  1693.  This  edifice,  construct- 
ed of  wood,  was  destroyed  by  fire  at  an  early  period  of  the 
Revolutionary  War. 

The  church  yard  which  lies  on  the  south  and  west  side  of 
the  church,  is  one  of  the  most  extensive  in  the  county. 

TOMBSTONES. 


M.  V.  D.  I.  P.  U.  NOVE  I  D  I  D 

FEB  THE  MBER  THE  FOVRT  N.  20 

14.  ETH.  DAY.  1724.  1714 

1704 
M.  O.  D.  Ye  27. 1726— A.  A.  AV.  Ye  1730— JOSEPH.  DRAKE. 
DESESED.  MARCH.  THE.  16.  DAY.  1731.  IN.  THE.  70* 
YEAR.  OF.  HIS.  AGE.— HERE.  LS.  THE.  BODY.  OF. 
THOMAS.  PINCKNEY.  DIED.  Ye.  l.  1732.  EG.  71— HERE. 
LAYS.  THE.  BODY.  OF.  CAP.  WILL.  P1NKNEY.  DECES- 
ED.  11.  DAY.  OF.  MARCH.  1755.  AG'D.  ABOUT.  75.  YEARS 
—I.  O.  D.  FEB.  1746—0.  H.  HORRED.  DECES.  ID.  Ye 
YEAR.  1755—1.  *  O.  DE.  JULY.  Ye  25.  175  —HERE  LY- 


*  Ann,  daughter  of  James  Smith,  Esq.,  whose  brother,  Col.  William  Smith, 
married  a  daughter  of  President  Adams,  and  resided  on  the  Ross  place  in  this 
town. 

h  The  son  of  this  lady  being  washed  overboard  from  a  vessel  in  the  Sound,  was 
found  by  one  of  the  church  wardens,  and  brought  to  this  church  for  interment. 


384  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

ETH  THE  BODY  OF  WILLIAM  CRAWFORD  :  WHO  DE- 
PARTED :  THIS  :  LIFE  THE  1 1.  DAY  :  OF  NOVEMBER  : 
IN:  THE:  51:  YEAR:  OF:  HIS:  AGE:  1747  — E.  W.  O. 
NOVEllBER-M.  A  *  C.  JAN  25.  1764— F.  O.  DEC.  12— 
MAJOR  SAMUEL  PELL,  OB.  29.  DECR.  178(5,  IN  THE 
32nd  YEAR  OF  HIS  AGE.  THUS  AFTER  RETURNING 
VICTORIOUS,  FROM  THE  FIELD  OF  MARS,  HE  CHEER- 
FULLY OBEYS  THE  SUMMONS  OF  ETERNITY  FROM 
WHENCE  THERE  IS  NO  RETURN.  IN  MEMORY  OF 
STEPHEN  WARD,  Esq.  WHO  DIED  8Tn  DECR,  1797,  AGED 
67  YEARS,  9  MONTHS  AND  17  DAYS.  SONS  OF  AME- 
RICA ! 

Mourn  for  your  country,  she  has  lost  a  friend, 
Who  did  her  rights  and  liberties  defend  ; 
■  May  rising  patriots  keep  those  rights  secure, 

And  hand  them  down  to  latest  ages  pure. 
Moure  too,  ye  ftiends  and  relatives  who  knew 
His  worth,  his  kindness,  and  his  love  to  you  ; 
But  duty  bids  us  all  resign,  and  say, 
Thy  will  be  done,  who  gave  and  took  away. 

On  a  small  marble  obelisk  is  the  following  : — 

Sacred 
to  the  memory  of  the 
REV.   AUGUSTINE  P.   PREVOST, 
only  son  of  the  late  Mrs.  L.  C.  Palmer, 
who  departed  this  life 
on  the  15th  of  November,  1843, 
in  the  37th  year  of  his  age, 
and  the  8th  of  his  ministry,  7  years  of  which 
he  was  Rector  of  St.  John's  Church, 
Canandaigua.  N.  Y. 
Rest  from  thy  labours,  blessed  spirit  rest ; 
Tho'  early  called,  God's  ways  are  always  best, 
Nor  need  this  feeble,  partial  pen  declare 
What  was  thy  need,  or  what  thy  labours  were. 
The  poor,  the  desolate,  the  bad  reclaimed, 
Are  mouths  for  thee,  who  never  wert  ashamed 
To  own  thy  Master's  cause  before  the  great, 
Nor  heeded  frowns  while  laying  bare  their  state ; 
A  weeping  flock,  like  children  mourn  the  loss 
Of  their  lov'd  Pastor.     Stedfast  on  the  Cross 
He  kept  their  gaze — "  Watch/'  was  his  latest  cry, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  EASTCHESTER.  385 

■•  Neither  is  he  that  pktnteth  anything,  neither  lie   that   watereth,    but   God  that 
giveth  the  increase." — 1st.  Cor.  3d  Chap.,  1th  Verse. 

RECTORES  DE  EASTCHESTER. 

TEMP.  INST.  RECTORK.S.  VACAT.  PATRONS. 

19  Nov.  1702,  Rev.  John  Bartow,  CI.  A.  M.  pr.  mort.  War.  and  Ves. 

8  July  1727,    "  Thos.  Standard, CI.  A.M.     "  « 
12  June  1761,    "  John  Milner,  CI.  A.  M.  pr.  resig.,          " 

3  Dec.  1766,    «  Sam.  Seabury,  CI.  A.  M.      "  « 

9  Mar.  1 799,    "  Isaac  Wilkins,  Presb.  D.  D.  pr.  mort,      " 
Apr.  1S17,    "  Ravaud  Kearny,  Presb.  pr.  resig.  " 

14  Oct.  1826,  "  Lawson  Carter,  Presb.        "  " 

1836,  "  John  Grigg,  Presb.  "  " 

25  July  1837,  "  Robert  Bolton,  Presb.  "  « 

1846,  "  Edwin  Harwood,  Presb.      '[<  " 

22  Aug.  1847,  "  Henry  E.  Duncan,  Presb.     "  " 

1  Feb.  1S52,  c:  William  S.  Coffey,  Presb.,  present  incumbent. 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 


A.  D.  1728, 

Ba 

ptisms,  — . 

C 

Jommunicants,  30, 

1817, 

"         45, 

K 

48, 

1847, 

15, 

(( 

35, 

1853, 

"        16. 

('. 

46, 

In  1710,  the 

population  of  Eastchester, 

was 

314, 

1S40, 

u 

a 

1,502, 

1850. 

u 

a 

1,680. 

PEW  HOLDERS  IN  1787-8. 
Charles  Guion,  James  Morgan,  Sen,,  Lewis  Guion,  Samuel 
Webb,  Stephen  Ward,  Philip  Pell,  Minister's  seat,  William 
Piukney,  Thomas  Bartow,  Anthony  Bartow,  Gilbert  Valentine, 
John  G.  Wright,  Lewis  Guion,  Charles  Morgan,  Augustus  and 
Frederick  Van  Cortlandt,  Israel  Underbill,  William  Barton, 
Lancaster  Underbill,  Alexander  Fowler,  David  Huestice,  Mo- 
ses Fowler,  William  Stanton,  Moses  Hunt,  Philip  Rhinelander, 
Benjamin  Morgan,   Elisha   Shute,   Daniel    Townsend,    Isaac 

25 


386 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


Ward,  Daniel  Williams,  Israel  Honeywell,  William  Fowler, 
Rem  Rapelye,  William  Crawford,  Caleb  Morgan,  Benjamin 
Drake,  Theodosius  Bartow. 

WARDENS  OF  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH. 

1795  to  1S03. 
William  Popham,  Lancaster  Underhill. 

1804. 
Lancaster  Underhill,  Rem  Rapelye. 

1805-7. 
Lancaster  Underhill,  Jeronemus  Alstyne. 

1808-9. 
Lancaster  Underhill,  Lewis  Guion. 

1810-16. 
Lancaster  Underhill,  Isaac  Ward,  Sen. 

1817-24. 
Lancaster  Underhill,  William  Popham. 

1825-47. 
John  Townsend,  Philemon  Fowler. 

1848-52. 
Philemon  Fowler,  Robert  Bartow. 

IS53. 
Nathaniel  Valentine,  Samuel  T.  Carey. 


jnV  t? 


St.  Paul's  Rectory,  Eastchester. 


HISTORY 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


NEW     ROCHELLE. 


The  parish  of  New  Rochelle,  which  formerly  constituted  a 
portion  of  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  was  originally  included  in  the 
two  grants  made  by  the  Indians  in  the  years  1640  and  1649,  to 
the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  but  no  settlement  was  actual- 
ly commenced  upon  it  until  long  after  Thomas  Pell's  purchase 
from  Wampage  and  other  Indian  sachems,  which  occurred  in 
1654. 

Upon  the  6th  day  of  October,  1666,  Richard  Nicolls,  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Province,  did  give,  grant,  ratify  and  confirm  unto 
Thomas  Pell,  gentleman,  all  that  tract  of  land  lying  to  the 
eastward  of  Westchester  bounds,  (subsequently  known  as  the 
Manor  of  Pelham.)  &c,  "  which  said  tract  of  land  had  been 
purchased  of  the  Indian  proprietors,  and  ample  satisfaction  giv- 
en for  the  same." 

In  1669,  the  patentee  devised  the  whole  Manor  of  Pelham  to 
his  nephew,  John  Pell,  who  obtained  a  further  confirmation  for 
the  same  from  Thomas  Dongan,  Governor  of  the  Province,  on 
the  29th  of  October,  1687. 

Upon  the  20th  of  September,  1689,  we  find  John  Pell,  Lord 


3S8  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

of  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  and  Rachel  his  wife,  conveying  to 
Jacob  Leisler,  of  the  City  of  New- York,  merchant, — "All  that 
tract  of  land  lying  and  being  within  the  Manor  of  Pelham, 
containing  6000  acres  of  land,  &c,"  (the  present  township  of 
New  Rochelle.)  "  The  grantee,  and  his  heirs  and  assigns  yield- 
ing and  paying  unto  the  said  John  Pell,  his  heirs  and  assigns, 
Lords  of  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  as  an  acknowledgment,  one 
fat  calf  on  every  four  and  twentieth  day  of  June,  yearly,  and 
every  year  forever,  if  demanded."21 

Throughout  the  year,  1690,  we  find  Jacob  Leisler,  the  above 
grantee,  releasing  to  the  exiled  Huguenots,  the  lands  which  he 
had  purchased  in  their  behalf. 

The  Huguenots,  or  French  Protestants  of  France,  who  gave 
the  town  the  name  it  now  bears,  came  directly  from  England, 
and  were  a  part  of  the  50,000  persecuted,  who  fled  into  that 
country  four  years  before  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes. 
This  is  confirmed  by  the^  charter  of  Trinity  Church,  in  New 
Rochelle,  wherein  they  specify  that  "  they  fled  from  France  in 
1681.'* 

The  persecution  which  the  Huguenots  underwent  has  scarce 
its  parallel  in  the  history  of  religion ;  though  they  obtained  a 
peace  from  Henry  III,  in  1576,. it  was  only  of  short  continu- 
ance, and  their  sufferings,  mitigated  by  the  famous  Edict  of 
Nantes,  granted  to  them  in  1598  by  Henry  IV.,  were  again  re- 
newed after  the  revocation  of  this  Edict,  by  Louis  XIV.,  in 
1605. 

The  retrospect  of  Saurin,  a  son  of  one  of  the  Protestant 
refugees,  and  a  celebrated  preacher  at  the  Hague,  is  at  once  elo- 
quent and  historical.  "  A  thousand  dreadful  blows,"  said  the 
preacher,  "  were  struck  at  our  afflicted  churches,  before  that 
which  destroyed  them ;  for  our  enemies,  if  I  may  use  such  an 
expression,  not  content  with  seeing  our  ruin,  endeavoured  to 


»  '«  Whenever  the  fat  calf  was  demanded  by  the  Lords  of  the  Manor  (on  the  Festi- 
val of  St.  John  the  Baptist.)  each  Huguenot  paid  his  proportion  towards  its  pur- 
chase."— See  Hist,  of  Westchester,  vol.  i.  p.  376. 

b  See  Charter  of  Trinitv  Church. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  3S9 

taste  it.  One  while,  edicts  were  published  against  those,  who 
foreseeing  the  calamities  that  threatened  our  churches,  and  not 
having  power  to  prevent  them,  desired  only  the  sad  consola- 
tion of  not  being  spectators  of  their  ruin.  Another  while,  Au- 
gust, 1669,  against  those,  who,  through  their  weakness,  had  de- 
nied their  religion,  and  who,  not  being  able  to  bear  the  remorse 
of  their  consciences,  desired  to  return  to  their  first  profession. 
One  while,  May,  1679,  our  pastors  were  forbidden  to  exercise 
their  discipline  on  those  of  their  flocks,  who  had  abjured  the 
truth.  Another  while,  June,  1680,  children  of  seven  years  of 
age,  were  allowed  to  embrace  doctrines,  which  the  Church  of 
Rome  allows,  are  not  level  to  the  capacities  of  adults.  June, 
1681,  a  college  was  suppressed,  and  then  a  church  shut  up, 
January,  1683.  Sometimes  we  were  forbidden  to  convert  infi- 
dels ;  and  sometimes  to  confirm  those  in  the  truth  whom  we 
had  instructed  from  their  infancy  ;  and  our  pastors  were  forbid- 
den to  exercise  their  pastoral  office  any  longer  in  one  place  than 
three  years.  Sometimes  the  printing  of  our  books  was  prohibi- 
ted, July,  1685,  and  sometimes  those  which  we  had  printed, 
were  taken  away.  One  while,  we  were  not  suffered  to  preach 
in  a  church,  September,  1685,  and  another  while,  we  were  pun- 
ished for  preaching  on  its  ruins  ;  and  at  length,  we  were  forbid- 
den to  worship  God  in  public  at  all.  Now,  October,  1685,  we 
were  banished  ;  then  1689,  we  were  forbidden  to  quit  the  king- 
dom on  pain  of  death.  Here,  we  saw  the  glorious  rewards  of 
some  who  betrayed  their  religion ;  and  there,  we  beheld  others? 
who  had  the  courage  to  confess  it,  a  haling  to  a  dungeon,  a  scaf- 
fold, or  a  galley.  Here,  we  saw  our  persecutors  drawing  on  a 
sledge  the  dead  bodies  of  those  who  had  expired  on  the  rack. 
There  we  beheld  a  false  friar  tormenting  a  dying  man,  who 
was  terrified  on  the  one  hand,  with  the  fear  of  hell,  if  he  should 
apostatize,  and  on  the  other,  with  the  fear  of  leaving  his  child- 
ren without  bread,  if  he  should  continue  in  the  faith  ;  yonder, 
they  were  tearing  children  from  their  parents,  while  the  tender 
parents  were  shedding  more  tears  for  the  loss  of  their  souls 
than  for  th;tt  of  their  bodies  or  lives." 


390  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  exclamation  of  the  same  preacher,  in  another  sermon  on 
some  public  occasion,  bewailing  the  miseries  of  his  exiled  coun- 
trymen, reminds  us  of  the  "  Lamentations,"  of  the  prophet  over 
Jerusalem  and  his  captive  brethren  at  Babylon.  The  apostro- 
phe to  Louis  XIV.  is  admirable.  "  Are  our  benedictions  ex- 
hausted? Alas  !  on  this  joyful  day  can  we  forget  our  griefs? 
Ye  happy  inhabitants  of  these  provinces,  so  often  troubled  with 
a  recital  of  our  afflictions,  we  rejoice  in  your  prosperity ;  will 
you  refuse  to  compassionate  our  misfortunes  ?  And  you  fire- 
brands jilucked  out  of  the  burning,  sad  and  venerable  ruins  of 
our  unhappy  churches :  my  dear  brethren,  whom  the  misfor- 
tunes of  the  times  have  cast  on  this  shore,  can  we  forget  the 
miserable  remnants  of  ourselves?  O,  ye  groaning  captives,  ye 
weeping  priests,  ye  sighing  virgins,  ye  festivals  profaned,  ye 
ways  of  Zion  mourning,  ye  untrodden  paths,  ye  sad  complaints, 
move,  O!  move  all  this  assembly.  O !  Jerusalem,  if  I  forget 
thee,  let  my  right  hand  forget  her  cunning.  Not  remember 
thee  !  Let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth,  if  I  prefer 
not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy  !  O,  Jerusalem,  peace  be  with- 
in thy  walls,  and  prosperity  within  thy  palaces.  For  my  breth- 
ren and  companions''  sake  I  will  noxo  say,  peace  be  within  thee  ! 
May  God  be  moved,  if  not  with  the  ardor  of  our  prayers,  yet 
with  the  excess  of  our  afflictions ;  if  not  with  our  misfortunes, 
yet  with  the  desolation  of  his  sanctuaries  ;  if  not  with  the  bo- 
dies we  carry  all  about  the  world,  yet  with  the  souls  that  are 
torn  from  us !" 

"  And  thou,  dreadful  prince,  whom  I  once  honoured  as  my 
king,  and  whom  I  yet  respect  as  a  scourge  in  the  hand  of  Al- 
mighty God,  thou  also  shalt  have  a  part  in  my  good  wishes. 
These  provinces,  which  thou  threatenest,  but  which  the  arm  of 
the  Lord  protects ;  this  country,  which  thou  fillest  with  refu- 
gees, but  fugitives  animated  with  love  ;  these  walls,  which  con- 
tain a  thousand  martyrs  of  thy  making,  but  whom  religion  ren- 
ders victorious,  all  these  yet  resound  benedictions  in  thy  favour. 
God  grant,  the  fatal  bandage  that  hides  the  truth  from  thine 
eyes  may  fall  off!     May  God   forget  the  rivers  of  blood,  with 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  391 

which  thou  hast  deluged  the  earth,  and  which  thy  reign  hath 
caused  to  be  shed  !  May  God  blot  out  of  his  book  the  injuries 
which  thou  hast  done  us,  and,  while  he  rewards  the  sufferers, 
may  he  pardon  those  who  exposed  us  to  suffer  !  O,  may  God 
who  hath  made  thee  to  us,  and  to  the  whole  Church,  a  minister 
of  his  judgments,  make  thee  a  dispenser  of  his  favours,  and  ad- 
ministrator of  his  mercy."a 

M.  Claude,  a  distinguished  defender  of  the  Reformed  Church, 
referring  to  the  "  dragoons,"  who  were  sent  to  the  Protestants  to 
extort  from  them  an  abjuration,  says  : — '•  They  cast  some  into 
large  fires,  and  took  them  out  when  they  were  half  roasted. 
They  hanged  others  with  large  ropes  under  the  arm-pits,  and 
plunged  them  several  times  into  wells,  till  they  promised  to  re- 
nounce their  religion.  They  tied  them  like  criminals  on  the 
rack,  and  poured  wine  with  a  funnel  into  their  mouths,  until 
being  intoxicated,  they  declared  that  they  consented  to  be 
Catholics.  Some  they  slashed  and  cut  with  penknives  ;  others 
they  took  by  the  nose  with  red  hot  tongs,  and  led  them  up  and 
down  the  rooms  till  they  promised  to  turn  catholics."  b 

u  Wearied  with  incessant  persecution,  and  despairing  of  re- 
pose around  their  native  hearths,  the  Huguenots  began  to  leave 
France  for  more  secure  regions.  The  Protestants  of  other  states 
and  kingdoms  opened  their  arms  to  receive  them ;  no  less  than  five 
hundred  thousand  thus  escaped,  and  found  homes  in  Germany, 
Holland,  and  England."0  "King  Charles  II.  granted  letters  of 
denization  in  council,  under  the  great  seal,  and  assured  the  ex- 
iles, that,  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Parliament,  he  would  in- 
troduce a  bill,  by  which  they  should  be  naturalized,  relieved 
them  at  the  moment  from  importation  duties  and  passport  fees, 
and  encouraged  voluntary  contributions  for  their  support." 
This  order  was  issued  on  the  28th  of  July,  1681,  the  same  year 


■  "Memoir  of  the  French  Protestants,  who  settled  at  Oxford,  Mass.,  A.  D.,  1686, 
&c,  by  A.  Holmes,  D.  D  ,  Corresponding  Secretary  of  Mass.  Hist.  Soc,  in  1830.'' 
— See  Collection  of  Mass.,  Hist.  Soc,  vol.  ii.  3d  series. 

b  Mr.  Disosway's  Sketch  of  the  Huguenots. 

•  Smedley's  History  of  the  Reformed  Religion,  vol.  iii.  p.  217. 


392  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

in  which  the  Huguenots  of  New  Rochelle,  fled  from  France  ; 
conclusive  evidence  that  they  constituted  a  portion  of  those  ex- 
iles who  accepted  the  royal  offers  and  afterward,  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  government,  purchased  and  settled  here  in  1689. 
The  state  of  the  Huguenots  at  the  time  of  the  revocation  was 
evidently  insupportable,  as  they  drew  nigh  that  crisis  there 
were  harbingers  of  "the  windy  storm  and  tempest."  A  decla- 
ration against  them  in  1681,  was  the  forerunner  of  the  revoca- 
tion of  the  Edict  of  Nantes.a  The  Huguenots  were  aided  in 
their  escape  from  France,  by  the  English  vessels  that  lay  for 
some  time  off  the  Island  of  Rh6,  opposite  La  Rochelle,  in  which 
they  were  conveyed  to  England.  b  Tradition  says,  that  they 
were  subsequently  transported  to  this  place  in  one  of  the  King's 
ships,  and  landed  on  Davenport's  neck,  at  a  place  afterwards 
called  Bauffet's,  or  Bonnefoy's  Point.  Soon  after  their  arrival, 
we  find  them  thus  addressing  Governor  Fletcher  : — 

PETITION  FROM  NEW  ROCHELLE. 

"  To  His  Excellency  Coll.  Benjamin  Fletcher,  Gover- 
nor in  Chief,  and  Captain  General  of  ye  Province 
of  New-York,  and  dependencies,  &c. 
The  humble  petition  of  ye  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle, 
Humbly  Sheweth, 
That   your   petitioners  having  been  forced  by  the  late  perse- 
cutions in  France  to  forsake  their  country  and  estates,  and  flye 
to  ye  protestant  Princes.     Their  Majestyes  by  their  proclama- 
tion of  ye  25th  of  Aprill,  1689,  did  grant  them  an  azile  in  all 
their  dominions,  with  their  Royall  protection  ;  wherefore  they 
were  invited  to  come  and  buy  lands  in  this  province,  to  the  end 
that  they  might  by  their  labour  help  the   necessityes  of  their 
familyes,  and  did  spend  therein  all  their  smale  store,  with  the 
help  of  their  friends,  whereof  they  did   borrow  great  sums  of 
money.     They  are  above  twenty 


»  Hist,  of  Louis  XIV.  6,  13. 

1  Smedley's  Hist,  of  the  Reformed  Religion,  vol.  iii.  p.  217. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


393 


(Mis',  torn)         poor  and  needy,  not  able 
ties  and  clothing,  much 
they  did  hitherto  beare  above  their 

thereby  reduced  to  a  lamentable  condition, 
as  having  been  compelled  to  sell  for  that  purposs  the  things 
which  were  most  necessary  for  their  use.  Wherefore  your  pe- 
titioners humbly  pray. 

That  your  Excellency  may  be  pleased  to  take  their  case  in 
serious  consideration,  and  out  of  Charity  and  pity,  to  grant 
them  for  some  years  what  help  and  priviledges  your  Excel- 
lency shall  think  convenient. 

And  your  petitioners  in  duty  bound  shall  ever  pray,  &c. 

Thauuet, 

ELEI  CoTHOUNEAU."a 

The  settlement  of  the  present  village  was  commenced  by 
these  sufferers,  for  conscience'  sake,  soon  after  the  purchase  of 
the  town  in  1689,  who  gave  it  the  name  it  now  bears,  in  re- 
membrance of  their 

"  Own  Rochelle,  the  fair  Rochelle, 
Proud  city  of  the  waters." 


Coeval  with  the  foundation  of  the  village  was  the  organization 
of  a  church,  in  forming  which,  the  Huguenots  appear  to  have 
adhered  to  the  principles,  and  as  far  as  they  were  able  at  that 


1  Doc.  Hist,  of  New-York,  vol.  iii.  p.  926. 


394  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

time,  to  have  maintained  the  Articles,  Liturgy,  Discipline  and 
Canons,  according  to  the  usage  of  the  Reformed  Church  in 
France.  "  It  was  for  their  religion  that  they  suffered  in  their 
native  country  ;  and  to  enjoy  its  privileges,  unmolested,  they 
fled  into  the  wilderness." 

As  soon  as  the  Church  was  organized,  the  most  active  meas- 
ures were  taken  for  the  erection  of  an  edifice.  Provision 
had  been  partly  made  for  this  purpose,  in  the  grant  to  Jacob 
Leisler  on  the  20th  of  September,  16S9.  It  was  there  declared 
that  John  Pell,  Lord  of  the  Manor,  with  the  consent  of  Rachel, 
his  wife,  did  (besides  the  six  thousand  acres)  give  and  grant 
'"-  To  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  the  further  quantity  of  one  hundred 
acres  of  land  for  the  use  of  the  French  Church,  erected  or  to  be 
erected  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  tract  of  land." 

The  first  church  edifice  of  which  anything  is  known,  was 
built  by  the  Huguenots,  about  1692-3.  It  was  constructed  of 
wood  and  stood  on  the  property  of  William  Wood,  in  the  rear 
of  the  Mansion  House,  and  close  to  the  old  Boston  post  road.  a 
Near  the  same  time,  Louis  Bongrand  "  Did  give  unto  theinhab- 
taints  of  New  Rochelle  a  piece  of  land  forty  paces  square,  for  a 
churchyard  to  bury  their  dead."b  A  house  and  about  three  acres 
of  land  were  subsequently  given  by  the  town  to  the  church 
forever.*5 

At  this  early  period  the  inhabitants  appear  to  have  enjoyed 
the  ministrations  of  the 


*  Several  aged  inhabitants  of  this  town,  still  living,  remember  the  old  church 
which  was  destroyed  soon  after  the  Revolutionary  War. 

b  "  Louis  Bongrand  purchased  of  Jacob  Leisler  and  Elsie  his  wife,  31  May, 
1690,  and  sold  to  Francis  Tierens  and  Valentine  Cruger,  on  the  22d  June,  1693 
In  the  conveyance  of  the  latter  to  Joost  Bane,  9th  May,  1698,  the  above  gift  is 
specified." — New  Rochelle  Town  Rec.  p.  70.  "  In  a  deed  from  Lewis  Guion  to  Zaca- 
rie  Engevin,  &c,  on  the  26th  Dec,  1701,  the  former  was  to  '  have  a  particular 
lane  or  road'  to  serve  the  latter  '  from  Boston  road  going  to  the  church  yard,  all 
along  the  swamp,  &c,  making  a  door  (gate)  which  shall  be  shut  by  those  who 
will  make  use  of  it,  &c.'  " — New  Rochelle  Town  Rec.  page  20. 

c  See  Mr.  Bartows  letter  to  Sec.  Nov.  15,  1722.  See  also  Mr.  Stouppe's  letter  to 
the  same,  Dec.  11,  1727. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  395 

REV.  DAVID  BONREPOS,  D.  D., 

a    French  Protestant    minister,     who    accompanied  the    first 
settlers    in    their   flight  from   France.      His  name,    as  pastor 
of  the  French  Colony  at  New  Rochelle,  appears  in  the  follow- 
ing letter  to  Governor  Leisler  : — 
Sir, 

"  I  have  too  much  respect  for  your  orders,  not  to  execute  them 
punctually  ;  so,  that  pursuant  to  what  you  did  me  the  honour 
lately  to  give  me  ;  I  spoke  to  the  principals  of  this  new  Colony 
about  the  nomination  of  some  persons  for  the  vacant  offices  of 
Justice  of  the  Peace,  but  as  the.  condition  you  require — that  is 
a  knowledge  of  the  English  tongue — has  precluded  them  from 
making  the  election  of  two  or  three,  according  to  your  order, 
they  cannot  pitch  upon  any  except  Mr.  Strang,  saving  your  ap- 
probation, which  if  you  will  have  the  goodness  to  accord  them, 
you  will  oblige  them  infinitely. 

Mr.  Pinton  has  also  delivered  me  this  day,  an  order  to  be 
communicated  to  the  sd  inhabitants  relative  to  the  election  and 
nomination  of  assessors,  collectors  and  commissaries,  for  levy- 
ing, imposing  and  receiving  taxes  for  his  Majesty's  service. 
The  time  is  very  short,  since  it  is  the  twenty-seventh  instant 
they  must  be  at  Westchester,  but  they  look  for  some  forbear- 
ance and  delay  from  your  goodness,  in  case,  notwithstanding 
their  diligence,  they  may  not  be  able  punctually  to  answer.  It 
is  not  through  any  unwillingness  to  exert  themselves  to  meet  it. 
but  you  know  their  strength  as  well  as  I.  Notwithstanding, 
despite  their  poverty  and  misery,  they  will  never  lack  in  sub- 
mission to  the  orders  on  behalf  of  his  Majesty,  both  for  the  pub- 
lic good  and  interest.  This  they  protested  to  me,  and  I  pray 
you  to  be  persuaded  thereof.  I  am  with  respect,  and  I  pray 
God  for  your  prosperity,  Sir, 

Your  very  humble 

and  very  obedient  servant, 

Pastor  of  this  French  Colony. 


396  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Address 

a  Monsieur, 

de  Leislar, 
Lieut.  Gouvemeur  pour  le 
Roy  d Angleterre,  du  fort 
lVillia??i  a  la  Xole  York."* 

Nothing  is  known  with  regard  to  the  Rev.  David  de  Bonre- 
pos'  ministry  or  character.  He  must  have  resigned  his  charge 
here  in  1694,  for  the  Rev.  John  Miller,  describing  the  Province 
of  New-York  in  1695,  says  : — "  There  is  a  meeting  house  at 
Richmond.  (Staten  Island)  of  which  Dr.  Bonrepos  is  the  minis- 
ter. There  are  forty  English,  forty-four  Dutch  and  thirty-six 
French  families."  Upon  the  9th  day  of  March,  1696,  "  David  de 
Bonrepos.  of  New  York  city.  Doctor  of  Divinity,  and  Blanche  his 
wife,  did  grant  to  Elias  de  Bonrepos,  of  New  Rochelle,  hus- 
bandman, all  that  certain  parcel  of  land  situate  and  lying  at 
New  Rochelle  in  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  &c,  containing  fifty 
acres  of  ground.  &e."b 

The  following  entry  occurs  in  the  Town  Records  : — l!  The 
year  of  grace,  1693,  we.  the  elders  of  the  Church  of  New  Ro- 
chelle, in  the  Province  of  New-  York,  according  to  the  inten- 
tion and  will  and  desire  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  said  Church, 
have  accorded  to  Ambroise  Sicard,  Jun.  and  Daniel  Sicard,  to 
convert  into  a  rent  at  six  per  cent.,  the  forty  shillings  which 
they  owe  for  ten  acres  of  land  sold  them  by  the  said  inhabi- 
tants, &c,  and  begin  to  pay  the  rent  from  the  first  to  the  last  of 
May  of  the  year  1694.  Signed.  Thauvet  Ecotonneau,  Tmacher 
Theroude.  Guillaume  le  Conte,  Daniel  Strang."c 

By  an  Act  of  General  Assembly  passed  on  the  24th  of  March, 


»  Doc.  Hist,  of  X.  Y.  vol.  ii.  304,  5. 

I  Town  Rec.  Lib.  A.  112.  !:  Upon  the  6th  of  Feb.,  1695-6,  letters  of  denization 
were  granted  to  David  Bonrepos  and  others.  Elias  Bonrepos  was  licensed  to  keep 
school  within  ye  Town  of  Rochelle  upon  the  23d  of  June,  1705."— Albany  Deed 
Book.  vol.  s.  05.  :-  Letters  of  administration  were  granted  to  Martha  Bonrepos,  wife 
of  David  Bonrepos,  25th  of  Oct.,  1711/'— Surrogate's  office,  N.  Y..  Lib.  viii.  61. 

e  Town  Rec,  Lib.  A.  23. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  397 

1693,  (which  was  subsequently  confirmed)  the  Manor  of  Pel- 
ham  became  one  of  the  four  districts  or  precincts  of  Westches- 
ter Parish.     In  1702,   New  Rochelle  contributed  towards  the 
rector's  maintenance  and  poor  of  the  parish,  £7  3s.     In  1?: 
her  quota  had  increased  to  £12,  14,  1^. 

The  next  minister  of  the  French  Reformed  Church  at  New 
Rochelle  was  the 

REV.  DANIEL  BONDET,  A.  M., 

a  native  of  France.  He  was  born  in  the  year  1652,  studied  the- 
ology at  Geneva  and  afterwards  entered  the  ministry.  On  the 
revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  he  fled  from  France  to  Eng- 
land,3- here  he  received  Holy  Orders  from  the  Right  Rev.  Henry 
Compton,  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  and  soon  after  accompanied 
the  French  emigrants  who  arrived  at  Boston.  Mass.  in  the  sum- 
mer of  16S6.b  For  eight  years  he  was  employed  by  the  Cor- 
poration for  Propagating  the  Christian  Faith  among  the  In- 
dians0 at  a  place  called  New  Oxford,  near  Boston,  and  was 
also  a  minister  of  the  French  congregation  there,  as  appears 
from  a  letter  written  by  him  to  some  person  in  authority  (prob- 
ably Governor  Dudley)  complaining  of  the  sale  of  rum  to  the 


1  ■  Upon  the  revocation,  the  rest  of  the  ministers  were  allowed  fifteen  days  for  their 
departure  :  but  it  can  hardly  be  believed  to  what  cruelties  and  vexatious  they  were 
exposed."  .  .  .  .  ;'  And  yet,  (adds  the  English  historian)  through  rich  mercy,  very 
few  revolted  ;  the  far  greatest  part  of  them  escaped,  either  into  England,  Holland, 
Germany  or  Switzerland  ;  yea.  and  some  are  now  in  New  England/' — Synodi- 
con  Iutrod. 

b  "  In  Sept.,  1686.  £26  were  contributed  for  the  relief  of  the  French  Protestants 
who  came  to  New  England." — See  Mass  Hist.  Coll.  3d  series,  vol.  IV.  62.  "  In 
1693,  Cotton  Mather  speaks  of  Mr.  Bondet,  as  a  faithful  minister  ;  to  the  French 
congregation  at  New  Oxford,  iu  the  Xipmug country.'" — Magnalia.  B.  VI.  c.  vi.  §  2. 
vol.  ii.  p.  382.     8vo.  ed.  Hart.  2  vols.  1S20. 

c  On  the  restoration  of  Charles  II.,  the  charter  for  the  Promoting  and  Propaga 
tion  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  in  N.  E.  (founded  in  1649)  was  renewed  through 
the  influence  of  Mr.  Ashurst  and  Richard  Baxter,  with  the  Lord  Chancellor  Hyde, 
and  the  powers  under  it  were  enlarged :  for  now  the  corporation  was  styled  "  The 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  New  England  and  the  parts  adja- 
cent in  America." 


398  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Indians,  "  without  order  and  measure,"  and  of  its  baneful  ef- 
fects— the  date  is  lost,  with  a  line  or  two  at  the  beginning,  but 
is  endorsed  Mr.  Daniel  Bondefs  representation  referring  to 
New  Oxford,  July  6th,  1691. a 

Mr.  Bondet  must  have  continued  his  labors  at  New  Oxford 
and  its  vicinity  until  near  1695,  for  in  another  communication, 
we  find  that  "  In  1695  Mr.  Bondet,  a  French  Protestant  minis- 
ter, preached  to  the  Nipmug  Indians."  After  this,  we  hear  no 
mote  of  him  at  New  Oxford. b  He  probably  removed  to  this 
place  sometime  during  the  Summer  or  Fall  of  1695,  for  the  inhabi- 
tants of  New  Rochelle  addressing  the  Propagation  Society  in 
1709,  declare  that  "  By  the  assistance  of  Colonel  Heathcote 
they  had  been  provided  fourteen  years  ago  with  a  worthy  min. 
ister,  Mr.  Daniel  Bondet,  ordained  by  the  Bishop  of  London."0 
To  this  event,  Col.  Heathcote  himself  alludes  in  a  letter  to  the 
Society  dated  10th  of  April,  1704 : — "  I  did  propose  to  the  Ves- 
try of  Westchester  a  medium  in  that  matter,  which  was,  that 
there  being  at  Boston  a  French  Protestant  minister,  one  Mr. 
Bondet,  a  very  good  man,  who  was  in  orders  by  my  Lord  of 
London,  and  could  preach  both  in  English  and  French,  and 
the  people  of  New  Rochelle  being  destitute  of  a  minister,  we 
would  call  Mr.  Bondet  to  the  living,  (of  Westchester)  and  the 
parish  being  large  enough  to  maintain  two,  we  would  likewise 
continue  Mr.  Mather  and  support  him  by  subscriptions.  The 
Vestry  seemed  to  be  extremely  well  pleased  with  this  proposal 
and  desired  me  to  send  for  Mr.  Bondet,  which  I  immediately 
did,  hoping  by  that  means  to  bring  them  over  to  the  Church, 
but  Mather  apprehending  what  I  aimed  at,  persuaded  the  Ves- 


■  "  Soon  after  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  Jos.  Dudley  and  other  propri- 
etors, brought  over  thirty  French  Protestant  families  into  this  country  and  settled 
them  upon  the  eastermost  part  or  end  of  the  said  tract  of  laud,  now  known  by  the 
name  of  Oxford." — Oxford  Town  Records. 

b  His  name  does  not  occur  in  a  list  of  the  principal  inhabitants  in  1696,  the  year 
the  settlement  was  broken  up  by  an  incursion  of  the  Indiaus. 

'-  See  Charter  cr  Trinity  Church. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  399 

try  to  alter  their  resolutions  and  when  he  came  they  refused  to 
call  hini."a 

So  that  projection  failing,  (of  inducting  Mr.  Bondet  to  the 
Parish  of  Westchester)  Colonel  Heathcote  obtained  his  services 
for  the  French  Church  at  New  Rochelle.  At  this  early  period 
both  Mr.  Vesey  of  New- York  and  Mr.  Bondet,  preached  in 
several  parts  of  the  Country  and  administered  the  rite  of  Holy 
Baptism.  Mr.  Bondet's  destitute  condition  soon  after  his  settle- 
ment, is  proved  by  the  following  document : — 

PETITION  OF  REVEREND  MR.  BONDET,  OF  NEW 
ROCHELLE. 

[TRANSLATED  FROM  THE  FRENCH.] 

;:  To  His  Excellency  Milord  Cornbury,  Governor  and 
Commander  in  Chief. 
My  Lord, 

I  most  humbly  pray  your  Excellency  to  be  pleased  to  take 
cognizance  of  the  petitioners  condition. 

I  am  a  French  refugee  minister,  incorporated  into  the  body  of 
the  ministry  of  the  Anglican  Church ;  I  removed  about  fifteen 
years  ago  into  New  England  with  a  company  of  poor  refugees 
to  whom  lands  were  granted  for  their  settlement,  and  to  provide 
for  my  subsistence,  I  was  allowed  one  hundred  and  five  pieces 
per  annum,  from  the  funds  of  the  corporation  for  the  pro- 
pagation of  the  Gospel  among  the  savages.  I  performed  that 
duty  during  nine  years  with  a  success  approved  and  attested, 
by  those  who  presided  over  the  affairs  of  that  Province. 

The  murders  which  the  Indians  committed  in  those  countries 
caused  the  dispersion  of  our  company,  some  of  whom  fell  by  the 
hands  of  the  barbarians.  1  remained  after  that,  two  years  in 
that  province  expecting  a  favorable  season  for  the  reestablish- 
ment  of  affairs,  but  after  waiting  two  years,  seeing  no  appear- 
ance, and  being  invited  to  remove  to  this  Province  of  New- 


*  See  Westchester  Parish,  p.  25. 


400  HISTORY  OF  THE   PARISH 

York,  by  Colonel  Heathcole,  who  always  evinces  an  affection 
for  the  public  good,  and  distinguishes  himself  by  a  special  appli- 
cation for  the  advancement  of  religion  and  good  order,  by  the 
establishment  of  churches  and  schools,  the  fittest  means  to 
strengthen  and  encourage  the  people,  I  complied  with  his  re- 
quest and  that  of  the  Company  of  New  Rochelle,  in  this  Pro- 
vince, where  I  passed  five  years  on  a  small  allowance  promised 
me  by  New  Rochelle,  of  one  hundred  pieces  and  lodging,  with 
that  of  one  hundred  and  five  pieces  which  the  corporation  con- 
tinued to  me  until  the  arrival  of  milord  Belamont  who,  after 
indicating  his  willingness  to  take  charge  of  me  and  our  Canton, 
ordered  me  thirty  pieces  in  the  Council  of  York,  and  did 
me  the  favor  to  promise  me  that  at  his  journey  to  Boston  he 
would  procure  me  the  continuation  of  that  stipend  that  I  had  in 
times  past.  But  having  learned  at  Boston,  through  Mr.  Nanfan, 
his  lieutenant,  that  1  annexed  my  signature  to  an  ecclesiastical 
certificate  which  the  churches  and  pastors  of  this  Province  had 
given  to  Sieur  Delius,  Minister  of  Albany,  who  had  not  the 
o-ood  fortune  to  please  his  late  Lordship,  his  defunct  Excellency 
cut  off  his  thirty  pieces  which  he  had  ordered  me  in  his  Council 
at  York,  deprived  me  of  the  Boston  pension  of  twenty-five  pieces, 
writing  to  London  to  have  that  deduction  approved,  and  left 
me,  during  three  years  last  past  in  an  extreme  destitution  of  the 
means  of  subsistence. 

I  believed,  my  Lord,  that  in  so  important  a  service  as  that  in 
which  I  am  employed,  I  ought  not  to  discourage  myself,  and 
that  the  Providence  of  God  which  does  not  abandon  those  who 
have  recourse  to  his  aid  by  well  doing,  would  provide  in  its 
time  for  my  relief. 

Your  Excellency's  equity  ;  the  affection  you  have  evinced  to 
us  for  the  encouragement  of  those  who  employ  themselves  con- 
stantly and  faithfully  in  God's  service  induce  me  to  hope  that  I 
shall  have  a  share  in  the  dispensation  of  your  justice  to  relieve 
me  from  my  suffering,  so  that  I  may  be  aided  and  encouraged 
to  continue  my  service,  in  which,  by  duty  and  gratitude,  I  shall 
continue  with  my  flock  to  pray  God  for  the  preservation  of  your 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  101 

person,  of  your  illustrious  family  and  the  prosperity  of  your 
government.  Remaining  your  Excellency's  most  humble  and 
most  respectful  servant." 


^OAllii^SKkA- 


•£  Order  and  Report  on  the  above. 

At  a  Council  held  at  ffort  Wm.  Henry,  this  29th  day  of  June, 
1702. 

Sa:  Sh :  Broughton.  ]  ^  .  ,    TT  _,         T  , 

~  i  r.    i  Caleb   Heathcote.    Esq..  John 

Garrard  Beekman.     rEsar<;  ^  • ,  ^  V  T 

D.     _       _  f  risers.  Bndees,  Doctor  of  Laws. 

Rip  \  an  Dam,  &    ' 

Upon  the  motion  of  Coil :  Heathcote  that  the  Minister  of  New 
Rochelle  had  formerly  a  salary  allowed  him  out  of  the  Revenue 
which  the  late  Earl  of  Bellamont  deprived  him  of,  it  is  hereby 
ordered  that  the  petition  of  the  said  Minister  formerly  Dd  to 
his  Excellency,  be  referred  to  the  sd  Coll :  Heathcote,  who  is  to 
examine  into  the  allegations  and  report  the  same. 

By  order  of  His  Excellency  and  Council, 

B.  Cosens,  Cl'k  Council.''1 

••  May  it  please  yr  Excell  : 

In  obedience  to  yr  Excell  commands  :  I  have  examined  into 
the  allegations  of  the  within  Petition  and  do  find  that  the 
Petitioner  was  employed  about  fifteen  years  ago  by  the  corpora- 
tion for  propagating  the  Xtian  ffaith  amongst  the  Indians  at  a 
place  called  New  Oxford,  near  Boston,  with  the  allowance  of  a 
salary  of  £25  a  year,  where  he  consumed  the  little  he  brought  with 
him  from  ffrance  in  settling  himself  for  that  service,  and  being 
afterwards  by  reason  of  the  War  compelled  to  fly  from  thence, 
his  improvements  where  wholly  lost.  During  the  time  of  his 
stay  there,  which  was  about  eight  years,  it  appears  by  a  certifi- 
cate under  the  hands  of  the  late  Lieut.  Governour  Stoughton,  of 
Boston,  Wait  Wintrope,  Increase  Mather  and  Charles  Morton, 
that  he  with  great  faithfullnesse,  care  and  industry,  discharged 


»  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  iii.  929. 

26 


402  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

his  duty,  both  in  reference  to  Xtians  and  Indians,  and  was  of 
an  unblemished  life  and  conversation.  After  his  being  called 
to  New  Roche! le  the  Corporation  afore-mentioned,  in  considera- 
tion of  his  past  services  and  sufferings,  were  pleased  still  to  con- 
tinue him  his  salary,  which  he  enjoyed  u  ntil  the  arrival  of  the 
late  Earl  of  Bellamont,  who  having  settled  £30  a  year  upon 
him  out  of  the  Revenue,  used  afterwards  his  interest  with  the 
said  Corporation  to  take  off'  the  salary,  they  had  all  along 
allowed  him,  which  no  sooner  was  effected  but  he  immediately 
suspended  him  also  from  the  £30  a  year  he  had  settled  upon 
him,  by  which  means  the  Petitioner  is  left  with  a  very  deplora- 
ble condition,  not  being  able  with  the  salary  that  is  allowed 
him  at  New  Rochelle,  which  is  only  £20  a  year  to  support  him- 
self and  family.  All  which  is  humbly  submitted  by 
Yr  Excell's  obedient  humble  servant, 

Caleb  Heathcote.'^ 

It  is  a  singular  fact  that  the  first  settled  Episcopal  minister 
in  this  country  should  have  been  a  French  Protestant  refugee, 
and  that  New  Rochelle,  the  favorite  asylum  of  the  Huguenots, 
should  claim  the  honor  of  having  called  him. 

Upon  the  20th  of  November,  A.  D.  1700,  "  Sir  John  Pell  *>  and 
Rachel  his  wife,  granted  to  Daniel  Sampson  and  Isaac  Cantin, 
one  hundred  acres,  provided  that  the  purchasers  and  their  as- 
signeees,  shall  do  suit  and  service,  now  or  at  any  time  hereafter, 
from  time  to  time  in  the  Manor  Court,  and  pay  their  proportion 
to  the  minister  of  the  'place.'''1  c 

"  In  consideration  of  £100 — 150  acres,  beginning  at  the  end  of 
25rods  westward  from  the  marked  tree,  said  to  be  marked  for  the 
division  lines  of  the  French,  in  New  Rochelle  purchase,  being 
between  the  land  of  the  said  Pell  and  the  foresaid  purchase." 

"July  the  22nd,  1700.  In  a  General  Assembly  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  this  place,  according  to  Justice  Mott's  warrant,  it  has 


»  Doc.  Hist,  of  New- York,  vol.  iii.  pp.  929,  930,  931,  932. 
b  So  styled  in  the  Town  Records. 
•  Town  Records,  p.  10. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  403 

been  agreed  by  the  plurality  of  votes,  that  above  the  hundred 
acres  of  land  given  by  Sir  John  Pell  for  the  church  of  this  place, 
the  said  one  hundred  acres  shall  be  taken  on  the  undivided 
land,  according  to  the  choice  of  the  elders  of  the  church,  as 
they  will  find  the  more  profitable  for  the  church  and  people."* 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Justices  and  Vestry,  held  in  the  town  of 
Westchester,  on  the  5th  day  of  May,  1704,  appeared  Mr.  Peter 
Hulse,  (constable  for  the  town  of  New  Rochelle  in  1702,)  who 
produced  two  receipts  for  £5,  the  minister's  rate  for  that  year."b 

The  clergy  of  New- York,  addressing  the  Society  on  the  17th 
of  October,  1704,  say: — "  Mr.  Daniel  Bondet  has  gone  further 
and  done  more  in  that  good  work  (converting  the  heathen.)  than 
any  Protestant  minister  that  we  know,  we  eoirimend  him  to 
your  pious  consideration  as  a  person  industrious  in  ye  service  of 
the  Church  and  his  own  nation,  ye  French,  at  New  Rochelle." 

The  following  is  Dr.  Bondet's  first  letter  to  the  Secretary  of 
the  Venerable  Society. 

MR.  BONDETT  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rochelle.,  July  24th,  1707. 
Sir, 
Col.  Heathcote  has  done  me  the  favor  to  communicate  to  me 
the  extract  of  a  letter,  where  you  make  mention  to  him  of  me, 
and  the  part  the  Honorable  Society  is  pleased  to  take  in   what 
concerns  my  life  and  service.     If  it  had  pleased  God  that  the 
ships  had  come  hither,  which  he  expected,  I  doubt  not  but  ac- 
cording to  your  opinion,  I  had  had  proofs  of  their  good  will  and 
approbation,  as  also  directions  from  my  Lord  Bishop  of  London  > 
concerning  those  things  whereof  i  did  myself  the  honour  to  in- 
form his  Lordship,  with  the  testimony  of  several  eminent  and 
creditable  persons.     T'would  be  needless,  Sir,  to  repeat  things 
whereof  my  Lord  of  London  and  the  Honorable  Societ  y  are  ful- 
ly informed.     I'll  only  say  for  my  comfort  and  the  honour  of 
my  service,  that  amongst  the  many  misfortunes  that  have  hap- 


*  Town  Records,  Lib.  A,  p.  5. 
''  Westchester  Vestry  Book. 


404  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

petied  to  me,  never  any  one  opened  his  lips  to   reproach    me   of 
my  life  and  doctrine,  and  God  has  supported  me  in  all  those  ca- 
ses in  which  men  have'abandoned  me.     I  immediately  looked 
upon  that  which  his  Excellency,  my  Lord   Cornbury,  ordered 
me   out ^ of  Her  Majesty's   revenue  as   a  sure  fund,   but    the 
payment  thereof  is  so  remote  from  one  another  that  I  am  ready 
to  perish  in  the  mean  time,    insomuch,  that  'tis  very  surprising 
to  all  them  that  hear  it.     My  Lord  is  so  kind  as  to  give  me  some 
warrants,  but  to  this  hour  I  have  some  by   me  of  four  years 
standing,  whereof  Mr.  Neau  is  soliciting  one  with  Mr.  Bearsly, 
the  Receiver,  without  being  able  to  get  anything.     The  favor  I 
ask  of  you,  Sir,  and  the  Honourable  Society,  is,  that  you  would 
be  so  good  as  to  get  me  such  an  order  from  the  said  Society  as 
you  shall  judge  most  proper  for  the  payment  of  my  arrears,  and 
if  it  be  Her  Majesty's  good  pleasure  to  confirm  to  me  what  two 
Govemours,  by  the  advice  of  the  Councilhave  ordered  as  a  nec- 
essary provision  for  my  subsistance,  viz.,  £30  out  of  Her  Majes- 
ty's revenue,  and  that  pension  be  paid  to  me  quarterly  according 
to  the  time  of  its  establishment.     If  I  obtain  this  favour  of  the 
Honourable  Society,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  you  for  having  con- 
tributed thereunto  by  your  representation  according  to  your  justice 
and  charity.     I  pray  God  to  give  us  the  opportunity  of  giving 
satisfaction  to  that  venerable  body  (whereof  you  are  a  member) 
by  the  joyfull  tidings  of  the  great  progress    which  the  Gospell 
makes  in  these  parts,  through  their  great  care  and  piety.     1  have 
seen  with  pleasure  the  beginning  of  Mr.  Neau's  exercises,  as  al- 
so, from  time  to  time,  the  progress  and  good  order  of  his  prose- 
lytes.    It  were  to  be  wished  that  the  civil  powers  would  take  the 
same  care  of  the  slaves  in  the  country.     I  have  often  proposed 
this  to  our  company,  among  whom  there  are  several  slaves ;  the 
poor  creatures  might  easily  receive  the  same  edification  by  the 
care  of  the  minister  in  their  several  places  ;  if  that  was  recom- 
mended in  such  a  manner  that  the  servants,  the  masters  and 
pastors,  might  understand  that  this  order  which  our  superiors 
require  is  both  reasonable  and  just.     I  should  be  always  ready. 
if  it  pie     ed  the  Lord  with  his  help,  to  discharge  my  duty  and 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  405 

follow  the  directions  which  shall  be  given  me  by  my  superiors,  for 
whom  I  will  continue  to  pray  heartily  that  God  would  direct 
them  how  to  labour  successfully  in  all  things  for  the  advance- 
ment of  his  glory  in  the  midst  of  his  people,  and  that  he  would 
please  to  continue  unto  you  life  and  grace  to  further  his    work 

in  your  generation. 

I  am,  Sir,  &c,  &c, 

Daniel  Bondet."1 

The  following  extract,  from  a  letter  of  Col.  Heath  cote  to  the 
Secretary,  shows  that  the  Society  must  have  immediately 
granted  the  favour  which  Mr.  Bondet  so  earnestly  solicited. 
The  writer  also  recommends  the  payment  of  an  annual  salary 
to  Mr.  Bondet,  and  that  he  be  directed  to  use  the  English 
Liturgy  at  all  times  : — 

COLONEL  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 
"  Mamior  of  Scarsdale,  Dec.  \8th,  1707. 
Worthy  Sir, 
1  desire  my  hearty  thanks   may  be   given   them   for  their 
favours  in  remembering  Mr.  Bondet,  and  it  was  truly  a  seasona- 
ble relief  to  him,  he  having  for  many  years  been  only  fed  with 
fair  promises  from  the  Government,  being,  I  think,  at  this  time 
about  four  years  in  arrear.   As  to  what  you  mention  of  my  Lord 
of  London  recommending  him  to  our  Governour,  J  can't  tell  what 
service  it  may  do  him  to  his  Lordship's  successor  ;  but  it  will  be 
of  little  use  or  service  to  him  now.    As  for  his  being  able  to 
preach  in  English,  I  do  assure   you  he  can  and  doth  it   every 
third  Sunday,  using  the  liturgy   of  our  Church   in   the  town 
where  he  lives,  which  is  part  of  and  belongs  to  Mr.  Bartow's   ! 
parish  and  where  he  hath  to  this  day  never  preached  one  ser- 
mon, although  they  contribute  one-fifth  part  or  thereabouts  to- 
wards his  maintenance.     Now,  if  the  Society  think  fit  to  settle 
a  constant  allowance  on  Mr.  Bondet,  he  must  then  be   directed 

■  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  pp.  163--4--5,  (Hawks.) 


406  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

by  my  Lord  of  London,  at  all  times,  whether  he  preacheth  in 
English  or  French,  to  use  our  liturgy,  which  he  above  all 
things  desires,  and  it  will  then  be  advisable  that  common 
prayer  books  in  French  be  sent  over  for  his  congregation.  And  as 
to  the  improvement  ot  his  time,  that  he  may  not  receive  the 
Society's  money  without  doing  them  service  for  it ;  when  notice 
is  given  that  they  have  been  pleased  to  establish  him,  Mr.  Muir- 
son.  Bartow,  Colonel  Morris  and  myself,  will  have  a  meeting, 
and  taking  to  our  assistance  the  soberest  inhabitants  of  the 
country,  we  will  consider  of  the  properest  ways  not  only  for  im- 
proving Mr.  Bondet,  but  likewise  at  the  same  time  think  of  the 
most  effectual  means  for  taking  'care,  besides  the  two  parishes, 
of  such  parts  of  the  country  as  are  included  in  neither ;  and  had 
I  not  formerly  been  opposed,  this  had  not  been  to  be  done  now  ; 
and  in  case  any  of  the  missionaries  shall  refuse  a  reasonable 
complyance  the  Society  shall  most  faithfully  have  an  account 
thereof,  that  if  by  them  they  can't  be  persuaded  to  their  duty, 
their  allowances  may  be  withdrawn,  for  I  can't  tell  what  others 
may  think  of  it,  but  for  my  own  part,  to  connive  at  the  misap- 
plication of  the  money  given  to  that  pious  use,  I  think  to  be 
equal  to  one's  being  concerned  in  plundering  of  churches."* 

At  first,  Mr.  Bondet  used  the  French  Prayers,  according  to 
the  Protestant  churches  of  France  ;  and  subsequently  on  every 
third  Sunday,  as  appears  by  the  above  letter,  the  Liturgy  of  the 
Church  of  England ;  but  in  1709  his  congregation,  with  the 
exception  of  two  individuals,  followed  the  example  of  th^ir 
French  Reformed  brethern  in  England,  by  conforming  to  the 
English  Church.  This  memorable  event  is  thus  recorded  in 
the  charter  :  "  That  on  the  12th  day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  one  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  nine,  all  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Township  of  New  Rochelle,  who  were  members  of 
the  said  French  Church,  excepting  two,  unanimously  agreed 
and  consented  to  conform  themselves,  in  the  religious  worship 
of  their  said  Church,  to  the  Liturgy  and  rites  of  the  Church  of 


New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  pp.  167,  168, 169,  (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  407 

England  as  established  by  law,  and  by  a  solmn  act  ov  agree- 
ment did  submit  to,  and  put  themselves  under  the  protection  of 
the  same." 

Six  days  prior  to  their  conformity,  the  members  of  the  church 
addressed  the  following  letter  to  Colonel  Heathcote.  This  was 
probably  the  document  alluded  to  in  his  letter  of  the  12th,  which 
Mr.  Bondet  read  at  the  meeting  : — 

"Neio-York.  June  6th.  1709. 
Honor'd  Sir, 
Since  it  is  by  your  charitable  assistance  and  concurrence  that 
the  company  of  New  Rochelle  find  themselves  provided  with 
the  ministry,  that  your  prudence  and  wise  management  hath 
hitherto  composed  and  aswaged  our  difficulties  about  these 
matters  of  Church  settlement ;  we  have  thought  that  it  was 
our  duty  and  that  it  should  be  your  pleasure  of  charity,  to  assist 
us  with  your  presence  and  directions,  that  we  may  come  to 
some  terms  of  Resolution  for  to  have  our  Church  in  full  confor- 
mity with  the  national  Church  of  England,  and  for  to  have  the 
protection  and  assistance  of  the  rules  and  encouragers  of  the 
same,  that  the  service  of  God  may  be  established  in  our  place 
according  to  that  holy  rule,  and  the  weakness  of  our  place  con- 
sidered, that  she  may  be  enabled  to  support  the  charges  of  the 
ministry,  as  your  Honor  knows  enough  of  our  circumstances,  be 
upon  that  trust  of  your  candour,  sincerity  and  charity,  for 
refuge  Protestants,  well  meaning  in  the  duties  of  our  holy  re- 
ligion.    We  remain, 

Honored  Sir, 
Your  most  humble  and  dutiful  servants, 

Elias  Badeau, 
Adrew  Reneau, 
J.  Levillaine. 
[Signed  by  twenty-six  others."1] 

The  services  on  this  occasion  were  held  in  the  old  wooden 


*  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  atFulham,  vol.  i.  pp,  189-90.  (Hawk's.) 


#1 16  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

church,  erected  in  1692-3.  upon  Monday.  June  the  13th.  A.  D. 
1709. ■  Mr.  Bartow,  the  rector  of  the  Parish,  who  was  present 
and  read  prayers,  gives  the  following  account  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society  : — 

[extract.] 

••  From  Westchester  in  New-  York,  in  America. 

June  Wth,  1709. 
Sir. 
This  night  being  Friday.  Mr.  Sharp  is  come  to  my  house  on 
his  way  to  Rye  where  he  intends  to  preach  next  Sunday,  and  I 
have  appointed  to  meet  him  at  New  Rochelle  next  Monday,  to  try 
if  we  can  persuade  Mr.  Bonders  congregation  to  conform  to  the 
Church  of  England,  which  if  they  will  do.  Col.  Nicholson  has 
engaged  to  procure  their  minister  (Mr.  Bondet)  an  allowance  from 
the  Society,  whom  they  are  not  able  to  maintain  in  regard  the 
£30  per  annum,  formerly  paid  out  of  the  Queen's  revenue  is 
discontinued. 

••  Tuesday.  June  \±th. 

1  was  at  New  Rochelle  yesterday,  where  I  read  the  service 
of  our  Church  and  Mr.  Sharpe  preached  a  sermon,  and  Colonel 
Heathcote  being  there  likewise,  after  sermon,  we  proposed  their 
conformity  to  the  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England,  to  which 
they  all  who  were  there  present  (the  chief  and  principal  inhabi- 
tants) assented,  as  you  will  see  by  their  several  names  subscribed 
to  the  writing  sent  by  Col.  Heathcote,  to  which  I  refer  you. 

John  Bartow."13 

Colonel  Heathcote,  who  was  also  present  on  the  occasion, 
thus  writes: — 

COL.  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

■•Manor  of  Scarsdale.  June  \3th.  17C9. 
Worthy  Sir, 
After  I  had  finished  my  other  letters,  Mr.  Bondet  gave  me  an 

1  And  not  on  Sunday  the  12th.  as  the  charter  declares.    The  lessons  for  the 
day  were  the  19th  Chap,  of  Job  and  13th  of  St.  Mark. 
1  >~  MBS.  from  a'chiv--  at  Falhara,  vol.  i.  pp.  l94-5;  (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  409 

account  by  letter,  that  his  people  were  in  a  very  good  temper  to 
receive  and  conform  to  the  Liturgy  of  our  Church,  in  their  con- 
gregation, whereupon  I  went  to  New  Rochelle,  being  accom- 
panied by  Mr.  Sharp.  Chaplain  to  the  fforces,  he  being  at  my 
house,  having  yesterday  preached  and  administered  the  sacra* 
ment  at  Rye.  Mr.  Bartow  did  us  also  the  favour  to  meet  us  at 
Mr.  Bondet's,  and  his  congregation  being  desired  to  be  at 
church,  after  the  service  had  been  performed  by  Mr.  Birtow. 
and  a  very  good  sermon  preached  to  them  by  Mr.  Sharp,  the 
heads  of  their  congregation  desired  Mr.  Bondet  to  read  and  pre- 
sent me  with  a  paper,  returning  me  thanks  for  my  endeavours 
in  settling  them  in  their  religious  affairs,  which  I  send  you  here- 
with. Whereupon,  those  gentlemen  of  the  clergy  and  I  did 
advise  them  to  address  the  Society,  acquainting  them  with  their 
resolution  of  conforming  to  the  rules  and  discipline  of  the 
Church,  to  pray  their  assistance  in  supporting  their  minister 
and  to  send  them  a  number  of  common  prayer  books  in  the 
ffrench  language,  which  is  here  enclosed,  and  also  an  instru- 
ment in  ffrench,  being  a  declaration  of  their  inclinations  to  con- 
form to  the  rules  of  the  Church.  We  all  of  us  promised  them  not 
0^' -  to  recommend  them  in  the  best  manner  we  could,  but  also 
to  prevail  with  Col.  Nicholson  and  Col.  Morris  to  do  the  like.  I 
believe  I  need  not  use  many  arguments  to  persuade  the  Society 
to  do  what  they  can  conveniently  for  them ;  for  Mr.  Bondet, 
besides  his  serving  the  people  of  New  Rochelle,  will  be  of  great 
use  in  assisting  the  ministers  of  the  other  Parishes,  and  not 
only  that,  but  if  these  people  are  favourably  received  and  en- 
couraged, it  will  be  a  great  means  to  influence  the  ffrench  con- 
_  nation  in  New- York  likewise  to  conform  audi  am  not  with- 
out hopes  of  effecting  my  desired  end  of  having  this  country  divi- 
ded into  three  Parishes,  by  which  means  we  should  effectually  shut 
out  all  sectaries  from  ever  crowding  in  upon  us.  I  can  hardly 
express  how  great  comfort  and  satisfaction  it  is  to  me  to,  see  this 
work  brought  near  so  happy  an  issue  and  for  which  I  have  been 
laboring  in  vain  many  years,  and  the  only  thing  that  obstructed 
it  was,  that  the  Government  would  not  give  us  leave,  and  which 


410  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

k 

was  almost  the  only  cause  that  none  of  your  churches  have 
throve  better  in  this  Province.  The  ffleet  are  just  upon  sailing 
and  I  am  in  a  very  great  hurry  in  concluding  my  letters,  but  I 
must  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  ray  next  and  remain,  worthy  sir, 
Your  affectionate  humble  servant, 

Caleb  Heathcote."4 

The  subjoined  address  is  from  the  Inhabitants  of  New  Ro- 
chelle  to  the  Society.     It  must  have  been  written  in  1709  and 
not  the  previous  year  as  the  MS.  has  it : — 
TO    THE    RIGHT    REVEREND    AND     RIGHT    HON- 
OURABLE AND  VENERABLE  SOCIETY  FOR  PRO- 
PAGATION OF  THE  GOSPEL  IN  FOREIGN  PARTS. 
-The  humble  petition  of  several  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  Province    of  New- 
York,  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  other  inhabi- 
tants of  the  said  Place. 
The  extraordinary  care  that   your  Honorable  Society  hath 
shewn  in  these  parts  of  America,  for  the  settlement  of  the  Church 
in  places  which  want  directions  and  encouragement,  to  come  to 
the  happy  terms  of  union  and  conformity  to  the  national  Church 
of  England,  makes  us  confidently  to  hope  that  your  charity  wirt 
be  pleased  to  take  into  your  pious  consideration  the  condition  of 
a  poor  company  of  refugees,  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Ne'w- 
Rochelle,    whose  case  hath  been  represented    already  several 
times  by  the  Hon.  Col.  Heathcote,  by  whose  assistance  and  con- 
currence we  were  provided  fourteen  years  ago  with  a  worthy 
minister,  Mr.  Daniel  Bondet,  ordained  by  the  Lord  Bishop  of 
London  ;  who,  by  his  constancy  and  tender  condescension  hath 
shewed  us  how  confidently  and  with  good  conscience  we  may 
comply  with  the  Church  of  England  and  further  our  edification 
in  the  knowledge  and  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  for  whose 
sake  we  have  left  our  native  country  and  have  been  with  great 
pity  and  charity  relieved  in  England. 

We  have  now  happily  brought  that  work  to  a  fair  and  re- 


New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  pp.  187-8-9.    (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  4H 

solved  conclusion.  The  Hon.  Col.  Francis  Nicholson,  Colonel 
Heathcote  unci  Colonel  Morris,  have  promised  to  use  their  inter- 
est with  the  Venerable  Society  to  have  some  regard  to  the  just 
representation  of  our  circumstances  which  are  unable  to  sup- 
port the  charges  of  a  ministry,  having  been  able  to  pay  to  Mr. 
Daniel  Bondet  but  £20,  this  country  money,  per  annum 
sometimes  more,  often  less.  Notwithstanding  which,  he  hath 
courageously  continued  to  edify  us  by  his  doctrine  and  irre- 
proveable  conversation. 

The  £30  per  annum  proposed  to  be  paid  him  out  of  the 
revenue  of  this  Province,  hath  for  several  years  been  unpaid,  as 
will  appear  by  the  joynt  representation  of  the  said  Col.  Heath- 
cote and  the  Reverend  Clergy,  with  an  account  of  the  unpaid 
warrants.  The  revenue  is  now  expired  by  its  own  limitation, 
and  we  have  no  other  hope  of  support  for  the  maintenance  of  our 
minister  than  in  your  piety  and  charity,  which  we  beg  leave  to 
implore  in  these  our  indigent  circumstances,  and  that  you  will 
be  pleased  to  send  over  a  considerable  number  of  common 
prayer  books,  in  the  French  language.  We  are  already  above 
one  hundred  communicants,  and  if  we  can  enjoy  the  benefits  of 
em  English  schoolmaster  sent  amongst  us,  we  hope  we  and  our 
posterity  daily  to  improve,  under  the  happy  constitution  of  the 
English  Church  and  Government. 

We  conclude  with  our  hearty  prayers  to  God  for  the  peace  of 
the  nation,  the  enlargement  and  prosperity  of  the  Church, 
and  a  blessing  on  your  pious  endeavours  for  promoting  the  Gos- 
pel of  Jesus  Christ,  and  are  with  profound  respect, 

Rt.  Reverend  Rt.  Honourable  and  Venerable, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servants, 
Isaac  Guions, 
Louis  Guions  Jejeune, 
Anthony  Lispenar, 
Pierre  Valleau. 
[With  twenty-two  others."*] 

■  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  pp.  107-8.   (Hawk's.) 


412  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

In  this  act  of  conformity,  to  the  Church  of  England,  the 
Huguenots  followed  the  sentiments  of  their  own  Church,  which 
from  the  beginning  of  the  Reformation  to  this  time,  had  allowed 
it  to  be  lawful  to  do  so,  and  condemned  those  who  made  any 
separation,  but  from  the  Church  of  Rome. 

Beza,  one  of  the  most  powerful  advocates  for  the  Huguenots, 
wrote  to  some  of  them  who  were  discontented  in  England,  con- 
juring them  by  all  that  was  good  and  sacred,  not  to  forsake  the 
communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  for  such  indifferent  rites 
and  ceremonies  as  were  there  imposed  upon  them.*  Whilst 
Calvin,  the  founder  of  the  French  Churches,  passed  an'  ane- 
thenia  upon  those  who  forsake  the  communion  of  orthodox 
bishops  where  they  are  to  be  had.  Witness  that  solemn  declara- 
tion of  his,  in  his  Book,  De  Necessitate  Reforrnandae  Ecclesice. 
"Talem  si  nobis  exhibeant  hierarehiam,  in  qua  sic  emineant 
episcopi,  ut  Christo  subesse  non  recusent — ut  ab  illo  tanquam 
unico  Capite  pendeant,  et  ad  ipsum  referentur — turn  nullo  non 
anathemate  dignos  fateor,  si  qui  erunt  qui  non  earn  reverenter, 
summaque  obediential  observent."  "  Give  us  such  an  hierarchy," 
says  he,  "  in  which  bishops  preside,  who  are  subject  to  Christ, 
and  Him  alone  as  their  Head ;  and  then  I  will  own  no  curse 
too  bad  for  him  that  shall  not  pay  the  utmost  respect  and  obedi- 
ence to  such  an  hierarchy  as  that." 

"  The  truth  is,  Calvin  and  Beza,  and  the  French  Church  set 
up  such  a  government  and  discipline  at  the  Reformation,  as  the 
state  of  their  affairs  would  bear  ;  but  they  never  absolutely 
condemned  Episcopacy,  or  thought  their  own  model  ought  to  be 
the  rule  to  other  Churches.  Beza  expressly  disclaims  that  as  a 
false  and  slanderous  imputation  in  any  that  should  say,  "They 
prescribed  their  own  example  to  be  followed  by  any  other 
Church,  like  those  ignorant  men,  who  think  nothing  right  done 
but  what  they  do  themselves. "b 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Bingham,  in  that  admirable  discourse  of 


1  Beza,  Ep.  xii,  p.  105. 

b  Bingham's  Antiquities  of  the  Christian  Church,  vol.  viii.  pp.  209-10. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  413 

his,  entitled  "  The  French  Church's  Apology  for  the  Church  of 
England."'  concludes  with  "A  serious  address  to  Dissenters  and 
to  the  Refugees  of  the  French  Church,  to  join  in  constant  and 
full  Communion  with  the  Church  of  England."  "  I  have  no- 
thing more  to  do  (he  observes)  but  to  close  this  discourse  with 
a  serious  exhortation  to  such  persons  as  are  concerned  in  it. 
who  are  chiefly  such  dissenters  as  make  use  of  the  arguments 
I  have  examined  in  this  book,  to  justify  their  separation  from 
the  Church  of  England." 

Upon  this  conformity  of  the  French  Ctiurch  at  New  Rochelle, 
we  find  the  Venerable  Society  making  an  annual  allowance  to 
the  Rev.  Daniel  Bondet.  and  directing  him  to  use  the  Liturgy 
of  the  Church  of  England.  At  the  same  time,  Governor  In- 
goldesby  issued  the  subjoined  order  to  the  Consistory,  putting 
Mr.  Bondet  in  possession  of  the  Church  and  its  appendages. 

COMMISSION   OF   REV.  DANIEL  BONDET,  TO  BE  MINISTER  OF 

kNEW  ROCHELLE. 
';  Richard  Ingoldesby,  Esq.,  Lieut.  Gov.  and  Commander  in  Chief  of  their  Majes- 
ies  Province  of  New- York,  New  Jersey,  &c.  To  Capt.  Oliver  Besly  and  his 
kethern.  Gen.  of  ye  Consistory  of  New  Rochelle  in  ye  County  of  Westchester, 
reeting : — 
Gentlemen. 
The  bearer  hereof,  Mr.  Daniell  Bondett,  an  orthodox  minister  of  the  Church  of 
England,  haveing  laid  before  me  the  orders  of  ye  Right  Hono'ble  and  Right  Rev- 
erend ffather  in  God,  Henry,  by  Divine  mission,  Lord  Bishop  of  Loudon  and  Dioce. 
san  of  this  Province,  to  officiate  in  your  Church  and  Parrish  according  to  ye  Rules- 
&  Constitution  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  Law  Established,  bearing  date 
June  16th.  1709,  as  also  a  Letter  from  ye  Venerable  Society  for  propagation  of  ye 
Gospel  in  fforreign  parts,  bearing  date  June  6th,  with  an  Extract  of  their  Journal 
June  3d,  1709,  Constituting  and  appointing  him  one  of  their  Missionaries,  and  a 
yearly  sallary  for  his  service  in  your  Church.  You  are  therefore  hereby  directed  to 
receive  him  as  such. 

Given  under  my  Hand  &,  Seal  this  ninth  day  of  November,  in  the  eighth  year  of 
ye   Reign   of  our  Sovereign  Lady  Queen  Anne    of  Great   Britain,  &c.        Anno 

Dni.  1709. 

RICHARD  INGOLDESBY."* 

In  Mr.  Bondet's  report  to  the  Venerable  Society  for  the  year 

1710,  occurs  the  following  extract  :  — 


■  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  vol.  iii.  p.  941. 


414  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

MR.  BOXDET  TO  TftE  SECRETARY. 

"  Neio-York,  Uth  July,  1710. 

Sir,- 
Our   Church   is  kept  up  in  good  order  by  the  grace  of  God. 

notwithstanding  the  troubles  and  unexpected  oppositions  it  has 
met  with.  I  hope  through  the  good  reception  that  his  Excellen- 
cy has  given  us  at  our  first  visit,  that  his  equity  and  prudence 
will  remove  those  difficulties  which  still  remain  to  be  surmoun- 
ted to  the  end,  that  there  may  be  a  good  understanding  amongst 
us.  I  acquainted  you  in  my  last,  that  we  had  celebrated  the 
Holy  Communion  three  times  at  the  three  quarters  that  are 
passed.  Since  our  conformity,  there  have  been  two  other  quar- 
ters past  since,  and  for  fear  that  my  last  should  not  have  come 
to  hand,  I  will  repeat  to  you  the  number  of  communicants  in 
each  : — 

10th  of  July,  1709,  35 

17th  of  October,  29 

1st  of  January,  1709-10,  38 

9th  of  April,  being  Easter  Day,  43 

11th  of  June,  32 

Yours  &c, 

Daniel  Bondet.51 
At  this  period  it  seems  the  congregation  had  so  for  increased 
as  to  stand  in  need  of  further  accommodation,  and  to  require  the 
erection  of  a  newchurch.  On  the  20th  of  March.  1709,  nearly  three 
months  before  the  conformity,  Governor  Ingoldesby  issued  an  or- 
der or  license,  empowering  the  inhabitants  to  erect  the  same.b 
The  undertaking,  however,  met  with  such  violent  opposition 
from  the  enemies  of  the  Church,  that  nothing  seems  to  have 
been  done,  either  towards  locating  or  building  the  proposed  ed- 
ifice during  the  remainder  of  Ingoldesby's  administration.  This 
honor  was  reserved  for  his  successor,  Colonel  Robert  Hunter, 
who  vigorously  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Church,  and  upon 
the  2d  day  of  August,  1710,  issued  the  following  : — 


»  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol  i.  217-10.  (Hawks.) 
b  See  County  Records,  Lib.  D.  p.  72. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  415 

LICENSE  TO  ERECT  A  CHURCH  IN  NEW  ROCHELLE. 

"  By  His  Excellency  Robert  Hunter,  Esq. .  Capt.  Generall  and  Comman- 
der in  Chief  of  her  Majesty's  Provinces  of  New- York,  New  Jerseyand 
all  the  Territories  Depending  thereon  in  America,  and  Vice  Admiral 
of  the  same,  <Src. 
To   the  Hon'ble  Coll.  Caleb  Heathcote,  Coll.  Lewis  Morris.     To  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Bondet,  Minister  of  New  Rochelle,  to  Capt.  Oliver  Besley,  Dr.  John  Neville,  Isaiah 
Le  Villain  and   the  other  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of  New  Rochelle  in  the  County 
of  Westchester,  Communicants  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  Law  Established. 
Greeting :  Whereas,  I  am  informed  of  your  pious  design  to  build  a  Church  for  the 
worship  and   Service  of  God  according  to  the  form  and  manner   Prescribed   in  the 
Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England,  &.  am  applyed  to  for  Lycence  to  erect  it  in  the 
Publick  street.     I  have  thought  fitt  and  doe  hereby  give  Leave  and  Lycence  to  you 
to  Erect  such   Building  in  such  Convenient  Place  of  the  said  street  as  you  shall 
think  most  Proper,  Providing  the   Breadth  of  such  Church  do  not  Exceed   thirty 
foot,  and  further,  I  do  authorize  and  Impower  you  to  Receive  and  Collect  such  sums 
of  money  and  other  helps  as  Charitable  People  shall  be  disposed  to  Contribute   to 
this  good  work. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  at  New-York,  this  second  day  of  August,  1710. 

ROBERT  HUNTER. 
By  his  Excellency 's  command,  George  Clarke." 

"  In  pursuance  of  this  Lycence,  we,  the  within  Nominated  Trustees,  appoynted 
by  his  Excellency  for  the  building  of  a  Church  for  the  worship  of  God,  according  to 
ye  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  at  New  Rochelle,  have  agreed  to  Build  it  oa 
the  North  side  of  ye  high  street  in  the  said  Town  of  New  Rochelle,  in  ye  County  of 
Westchester,  the  said  Church  forty  foot  in  length  and  thirty  foot  in  breadth,  between 
the  Dwelling  houses  of  Francis  LeConte  and  Zachary  Anseuvain,  as  Judging  it  the 
most  Convenient  Place. 

Witness  our  hand  this  Eighth  day  of  August,  1710,  Newfville,  Daniel  giraud, 
Isaac  Quantin,  Debonrepos,  Andre  Naudaiu,  dauiel  bennet,  Caleb  Heathcote,  Lewis 
Morris,  Daniel  Bondet,  Besley,  E.  Valleau,  Pierre  Valleau,  F.  LeConte,  ambroise 
Sicart.  J.  Levillain."  » 

As  scon  as  the  site  was  determined  upon,  a  subscription  was 
set  on  foot  for  the  building  of  the  church.  The  names  of  the 
subscribers  and  the  amount  of  their  contributions  are  preserved 
in  the  following  document : — 

"  An  account  of  the  money  collected  by  the  reverend  Mr. 
Sharpe,  Chaplain  of  the  forces  of  her  majesty  at  New- York, 
and  Mr.  Elias  Neau.  from  the  members  of  the  Church  of  Ens- 


Docuraentary  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  vol.  iii.  pp.  943,  913. 


416 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


land,  for  building  a  Church  at  New  Rochelle  for  the 
God  according  to  the  forme  and  manner  prescribed 
urgy  of  the  Church  of  England  : 

His  Excellency,  Coll,  Hunter,  our  Governour, 

Coll.  Nicholson, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Evens, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  John  Talbot, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  John  Sharpe, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Vesey, 

The  Reverend  Doctor  Innis, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Vaughn, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Bridge, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Thomas, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Henry  Boys, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Thomas  Barclay, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Holyday, 

The  Reverend  Mr.  Bartow, 

Coll.  Bayard, 

Mr.  Elias  Romain, 

Mad.  Mackham,  3  dolars, 

Mr.  Jeremiah  Colert  3  dolars, 

Mrs.  Mary  Laurens 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Marston, 

Mr.  Mosent, 

Mr.  John  Meklany, 

Mr.  John  Bayley,  one  dolar, 

Doctor  Letrice, 

Mad.  Wenham, 

Mr.  Suire,  payed, 

Cap.  Thomas, 

Coll.  Moris, 

Mr.  Mastin, 

Mr.  Bartholemy  LeRoux, 

Mr.  Reign  ier, 

Mr.  Thomas  Dutey, 

Mr.  James  Neau, 

Coll.  Graham, 

Alexander  More, 

Mr.  Elias  Nean, 

Mr.  Peak,  purser,  of  the  Kingsale,  2  dolars, 

Mr.  William  Hacking, 

Mr.  George  Clark, 

Mr.  John  Creok, 

Cap.  Davis,  commander  of  the  Maidstone, 

Master  May  Vickley, 


worst" 

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1     0 

0 

1     0 

0 

1     0 

0 

3    0 

0 

1     2 

0 

AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  417 

Mr.  Lawrence  Read,  3  dolars, 

Mr.  Remison, 

Mr.  George  Nethew,  2  dolars, 

Cap.  Cleyton,  commander  of  the  Kingsale, 

Mr.  Christopher  Rougby, 

Capt.  Wilson,  mayor  of  the  city, 

Cap.  Lancaster  Siraes, 

Mr.  Andrew  Bornet, 

Lieutenant  Tathem, 

Mr.  Collector  Bayesly, 

Daniel  Rouet, 

The  Commander  of  the  Feversham, 

Mr.  Daniel  Airauld, 

Capt.  Hamilton, 

Mr.  Robert,  of  Boston,  Merchant, 

Mr.  John  Read, 

Capt.  Gordon, 

Coll.  Partridge, 

Cap.  A.  Chalwell, 

Coll.  Heathcote, 

Dan.  Cromelin, 

On  Board  of  the  Ship  Feversham's  Company, 

From  the  master  of  the  Feversham's  ship, 

From  the  Purser  of  the  same  ship, 

From  the  Cap.  Mostenan,  3  dolars, 

From  Mr.  Lisau, 

From  Mr.  Livingston,  a  mayor  of  Albany, 

From  Lieutenant  Jay, 

From  Leftenant  More, 

Mr.  Watts, 

Mr.  Sharpes, 

Mr.  Reggs, 

Mad.  Hamilton 

The  Col.  Morris, 

Mr.  George  Willack, 

By  a  Legacy  from  Mr.  Zamain, 

By  Cap.  Wims, 

By  Mr.  Broeck,  one  dolar, 

The  subscriptions,  though  not  very  large,  must  be  regarded 
in  reference  to  the  relative  value  of  money  at  that  period  and 
the  present.  The  new  church  which  was  begun  in  the  Au- 
tumn of  1710,  and  completed  by  November  of  the  same  year, 
stood  a  little  east  of  the  present  Episcopal  church,  at  the 
entrance  of  the  lane  leading  to  Mr.  Elias  Guion's  former  resi- 

27 


0  16 

0 

1  2 

0 

0  10 

0 

1  6 

0 

1  0 

0 

1  2 

0 

2  0 

0 

1  0 

0 

1  4 

0 

2  0 

0 

0  6 

0 

1  6 

0 

1  4 

0 

1  2 

0 

2  0 

0 

1  0 

0 

1  7 

0 

0  2 

0 

0  3 

0 

3  10 

0 

3  12 

0 

1  1 

0 

0  11 

0 

0  11 

0 

0  16 

6 

0  5 

0 

0  9 

6 

0  6 

7* 

0  12 

4 

0  16 

6 

0  11 

0 

0  5 

6 

0  11 

0 

2  0 

0 

2  0 

0 

5  0 

0 

1  6 

0 

0  5 

C 

418  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


o) 


ed  nearly  a  square,  being  perfectly  plain  within  and  with- 
out. So  anxious  were  all  to  contribute  something  towards 
its  completion,  that  even  females  carried  stones  in  their  hands, 
and  mortar  in  their  aprons,  to  complete  the  sacred  work. 


Upon  the  erection  of  the  church,  measures  were  immedi- 
ately taken  to  secure  a  Royal  Patent  for  the  same,  as  appears 
from  the  following  . — 

PETITION  FOR  A  PATENT  FOR  THE  CHURCH  AT  NEW  ROCHELLE. 

";To  his  Excellency  Robert  Hunter,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and 

Governeur  in  Chief  of  her  Majesties  Provinces  of  new-yorck, 

New  Jersey,  and  Territories  Depending  thereon  in  aMerica, 

&c,  vice  admiral  of  the  same,  &c. 

The  Petition  of  Daniel  Ecndet,  minister,  olmer  Besley,  and  other  Inhabitants 

of  New  Rochelle.  of  the  communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  in  behalf  of 

themselves  and  others, 

Humbly  Sheweth  : 

That  whereas  they  have  been  favoured  with  your  Excellency's  license  Bearing 
date  the  2d  of  August,  1710,  Empowering  them  to  collect  and  Receive  the  chari- 
table contributions  of  piously  disposed  christians  and  apply  them  towards  build- 
ing a  house  for  the  worship  and  service  of  God,  according  to  the  form  and  man- 
ner of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  Law  established,  and  further  Granting  unto 
them  the  priviledge  to  build  and  Erect  such  church  in  such  place  of  the  publick 
Street  as  to  them  should  seem  most  convenient  and  proper.  That  by  virtue  Of 
the  said  Licence  and  Encouragement  and  the  contributions  Thereby  collected, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  419 

They  have  proceeded  to  build,  and  have  now  finished  a  convenient  building  for 
use  forsaid  according  to  the  directions,  limitations,  and  Restrictions  Therein 
mentioned. 

May  it  Therefore  please  your  Excellency  to  grant  them  a  patent  for  the  said 
Church,  and  the  ground  whereon  it  stands,  that  it  may  be  secured  for  the  use  of 
the  Church  of  England  to  them  and  their  posterity  for  Ever,  against  all  attempts> 
claims,  and  pretensions  that  hereafter  may  be  made,  and  your  petitioners  as  in 
•duly  bound,  shall  Ever  pray,  &c. 

Daniel  Bondet, 

F.  Alleau, 

Besley, 

P.  Valleau, 


Elie  DeBonrepos." 


Neto  Rochelle,  the  11th  of  November. 


REPORT  THEREON 
May  it  please  Your  Excellency, 
"  In  obedience  to  your  Excellence's  order  in  Councill,  ©f  ye  nineteenth  day  of 
November  last,  made  on  ye  petition  of  Daniel  Bondet,  and  others,  for  a  Patent  for  a 
Church,  lately  Erected  in  the  Street  of  New  Rochelle,  and  for  the  Ground  whereon 
it  stands,  wee  have  fully  Examined  into  ye  matter  of  the  said  petition,  and  are 
humbly  of  Opinion  that  her  Majesty  may  Grant  such  Patent  for  the  said  Church 
and  Ground,  according  to  ye  prayer  of  the  said  petition.  All  which  is  nevertheless 
submitted  to  your  Excellency,  by 

Your  Excellencie's  Most  Obedient, 

humble  Servants, 

A.  D.  Peyster, 
S.  Staats, 
Rip  Van  Dam, 
Caleb  Heathcote, 
T.  Byerley* 

Read  31st  July,  1711-12." 

For  his  commendable  zeal  in  Church  affairs,  Colonel  Hunter 
was  reviled  and  misrepresented  by  those  from  whom  a  different 
course  might  have  been  reasonably  expected.  The  two  follow- 
ing extracts  speak  for  themselves : —  b 


»  Documentary  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  vol.  iii.  p.  948. 

b  "  Governor  Hunter  was  as  devoted  a  member  of  the  Church  of  England  as  any 
of  the  early  Governors."— Macdonald's  Hist,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Jamai- 
ca, Long  Island,  p.  51. 


420  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

COLONEL  HEATHCOTE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

"  New- York,  January  30th,  1711. 
The  more  I  consider  of  Colonel  Hunter's  being  represented  as 
an  enemy  to  the  Church,  the  more  I  am  amazed  at  it  •  because  no 
Governor  in  this  Province,  that  I  ever  knew,  besides  Col.  Fletch- 
er, did  ever  as  heartily  espouse  her  interest,  if  we  are  to  judge 
of  men  by  their  actions.  I  think  Mr.  Bondet  and  I  was  about  7 
years  in  endeavouring  to  settle  the  Church  at  New  Rochelle, 
but  never  could  thoroughly  effect  it  until  he  was  our  Governor, 
who,  without  giving  us  the  least  stop  or  delay,  did  every  thing 
we  desired  of  him."a 

COL.  LEWIS  MORRIS  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New-  York,  20th  February,  1711. 
Because  the  Governor  (Col.  Hunter)  would  not  go  all  the 
length  they  desired,  he  was  industriously  represented  to  the  peo- 
ple as  no  churchman,  I  can't  see  what  end  this  could  serve,  be- 
sides gratifying  too  much  ill  nature,  except  it  were  the  discour- 
aging the  Church  and  encouraging  the  Dissenters,  (if  either  of 
them  should  believe  the  person  at  the  head  of  affairs  here  was 
a  dissenter,)  or  really  making  the  Governor  what  they  pretended 
he  was.  But  it  was  not  in  the  power  of  some  men  that  wear 
the  Church's  livery,  by  an  imprudent  conduct  to  make  the  Gov- 
ernor an  enemy  to  the  Church,b  for  no  sooner  was  application 
made  to  him  in  behalf  of  the  church  of  New  Rochelle,  the 
building  of  which  had  been  a  long  time  opposed,  but  he  gave 
an  order  to    Col.  Heathcote  and  myself  to  appoint  a  place 


■  New-York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  356.  (Hawks.) 
h  In  an  address  of  the  New- York  Clergy  to  Governor  Hunter,  May  14,  1712, 
"  they  thank  him  for  his  favor  to  Daniel  Bondet,  and  his  congregation  of  French 
Refugees,  and  generous  bounty  towards  erecting  of  a  new  church,  and  granting 
a  Patent  for  the  same  to  the  Church  of  England,  and  that  the  utmost  gratitude  is 
due  for  the  same."  This  was  signed  by  D.  Bondet  and  8  others.— Doc.  Hist,  of 
N.  Y.,  vol.  iii.  p.  129. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  421 

for  it  in  the  High  Street,  which  we  did;  saw  the  founda- 
tion laid,  and  it  is  now  finished,  or  very  nigh  it,  being  a  good 
stone  building,  and  his  purse,  as  well  as  power,  has  contributed 
to  make  it  what  it  is."  * 

In  the  year  3711-12,  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society  pre" 
sented  to  Mr.  Daniel  Bondet,  "  for  the  use  of  the  inhabi- 
tants of  New  Rochelle,  (who,  under  the  influential  ministry  of 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Bondet,  have  built  them  a  new  church  of  stone, 
for  the  worship  of  God,  and  are,  many  of  them,  reconciled  to 
the  ways  of  the  Church  of  England)  one  hundred  French  pray- 
er books  of  the  small  sort,  and  twenty  of  a  larger  impression." 
In  consideration  of  the  great  learning  and  piety  of  Monsieur 
Bondet,  at  New  Rochelle,  and  his  long  mid  faithful  discharge 
of  his  office,  they  have  augmented  his  salary  from  £30  to  £50 
per  annum.b  Mr.  Neau,  writing  to  the  Secretary  from  New- 
York,  on  the  5th  of  July,  1710,  bears  the  following  testimony 
in  regard  to  Mr.  Bondet's  character,  "most  Honored  Sir: — 
Mr.  Bondet  is  a  good  old  man,  near  sixty  years  Gf  age,  sober, 
just  and  religious."0 

Another  supply  of  one  hundred  prayer  books  in  French,  oc- 
curs in  1713,  to  the  Rev.  Monsieur  Bondet,  minister  of  the  Re- 
formed Congregation  at  New  Rochelle.  Upon  this,  he  remarks, 
"  The  books  came  very  seasonably,  and  is  much  to  the  comfort 
of  that  people,  as  to  engage  their  thanks  to  the  Society,  for  their 
charity  in  the  care  of  them,  when  their  enemies  reported  they 
were  derelicted." 

The  same  year,  the  Society  forwarded  to  the  Rev.  Daniel 
Bondet,  u  minister  of  the  French  Calvinistic  congregation  at 
New  Rochelle,  £10,  in  consideration  of  his  diligence  and  care 
in  performing  English  service  every  third  Sunday,  for  the  edi- 


■  New-York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  327.    (Hawks.) 
b  The  Society's  Abstracts  say  : — "  That  Mr.  Bondet's  congregation  at  New 
Rochelle  has  a  competent  number  of  communicants,  and  meets  for  divine  ser- 
vice, not  only  on  Sabbath  days,  but  all  others  appointed  by  the  Church." 

c  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol  i.  pp.  2l6,  217.  (Hawks.) 


422  HISTOKY  OF  THE  PARISH 

fication  of  the  French  youth  who  have  learnt  so  much  of  that 
language  as  to  join  with  him  therein." 

Upon  the  7th  of  February,  1714,  Queen  Anne,  in  answer  to 
the  petition,  was  pleased  to  grant  and  confirm  the  new  church 
or  chapel,  and  the  ground  whereon  it  stood,  to  the  minister  and 
members  in  the  following  manner : — 

ROYAL  PATENT  FOR  THE  CHURCH  AND  GROUND  AT  NEW 
ROCHELLE. 

"  Anne,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  dueea, 
Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c,  &c,  to  all  whom  these  presents  may  come  or  in  any 
wise  concerne,  sendeth  greeting :  Whereas,  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle, 
in  the  County  of  Westchester,  <&c,  with  the  leave  and  lycense  of  our  trusty  and 
well  beloved  Robert  Hunter,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and  Governor  in  chief  of 
our  province  of  New- York,  and  territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  and 
Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  have,  by  the  voluntary  contributions  of  well  disposed 
Christians,  erected  and  built  in  the  High  street  of  the  said  town  of  New  Ro- 
chelle— to  wit.,  on  the  north  side  thereof,  a  church  or  chapel  for  the  worship  and 
service  of  Almighty  God,  according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Church 
of  England  as  by  law  established  ;  and  whereas  Daniel  Bondet,  now  minister  at 
New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  Isaias  Valleau,  Oliver  Besley,  Peter  Valleau,  Elie  De- 
bonrepos,  in  behaif  of  themselves  and  other  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle 
aforesaid,  of  the  Communion  of  the  Church  of  England,  by  their  petition  pre- 
sented to  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Robert  Hunter,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and 
Governor  in  chief  as  aforesaid  in  Council,  have  prayed  our  grant  and  confirma- 
tion of  the  said  church  or  chapel  and  ground  whereon  the  same  is  erected  and 
built,  to  and  for  the  use  of  the  service  aforesaid,  the  which  petition  we  being 
willing  to  grant — Knowye,  that  of  our  especial  grace,  certain  knowledge,  and  mere 
motion,  we  have  given,  granted,  released,  ratified,  and  confirmed,  and  by  these 
presents,  for  ourselves,  our  heirs  and  successors,  do  give,  grant,  release  and  con- 
firm unto  the  said  Daniel  Bondet,  Isaias  Valleau,  Oliver  Besley,  Peter  Valleau 
and  Elias  Debonrepos,  and  to  their  heirs  and  assignee?,  all  that  church  or  chap- 
el aforesaid,  and  all  and  singular  the  ground  whereon  the  same  now  stands,  be- 
ing 40  feet  in  length  and  30  feet  in  breadth  ;  the  which  said  church  or  chapel  and 
ground  is  situate,  standing  and  being  in  the  north  side  of  the  High  street  of  the 
said  town  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  County  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  between  the 
dwelling  houses  of  Johannes  Le  Conte  and  Zachary  Anjouvaine,  together  with 
all  and  singular  the  wsys,  easements,  emoluments,  profits,  benefits,  privileges, 
libertyes,  advantages,  hereditaments  and  appurtenances  whatsoever  to  the  same 
belonging,  or  in  any  wise  of  right  appertaining,  to  the  estate,  right,  title,  in- 
terest, benefits,  advantages,  claims  and  demands  in  any  way  of,  in,  or  to  the  said 
church  or  chapel,  ground  and  premises,  with  appurtenances  or  any  part  or  par- 
cel thereof,  and  the  reversion  and  reversions,  remainder  and  remainders  thereof, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  423 

to  have  and  to  hold  the  said  church  or  chapel  ground  and  premises  with  the  ap- 
purtenances hereby  granted,  released  and  confirmed,  or  meant,  mentioned,  or  in- 
tended to  be  hereby  granted,  released,  and  confirmed,  unto  the  said  Daniel  Bon- 
det,  Isaias  Valleau,  Oliver  Besiey,  Peter  Valleau  and  Elie  Debonrepos,  their  heirs 
and  assignees  for  ever,  to  the  only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  them,  the  said  Daniel 
Bondet,  Isaias  Valleau,  Oliver  Besiey,  Peter  Valleau  and  Elie  Debonrepos,  their 
heirs  and  assignees,  for  ever  in  trust,  nevertheless  and  to  the  intent,  the  aforesaid 
church  or  chapel  with  the  appurtenances,  may  and  shall  forever  hereafter,  con- 
tinue, remain,  and  bo  unto  all  and  singular  the  inhabitants,  residents  of  the  said 
town  of  New  Rochelle  for  the  time  being,  in  communion  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land, a  free  church  or  chapel  for  the  performing  of  the  worship  and  services  of 
Almighty  God,  according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Church  of  England, 
as  by  law  established,  to  aud  for  no  other  service,  use,  intent  or  purpose  whatso- 
ever, to  be  holden  of  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  in  free  and  common  soccage, 
as  of  our  manor  of  East  Greenwich,  in  the  county  of  Kent,  within  our  kingdom, 
of  Great  Britain,  yielding  and  paying  therefor  yearly  and  every  year  from  hence- 
forth, unto  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  at  or  upon  the  feast  of  the  Nativity  of 
our  Lord,  commonly  called  Christmas,  the  yearly  rent  of  one  pepper  corue  only, 
(if  the  same  shall  be  lawfully  demandel,)  in  lieu  and  stead  of  all  other  rents,  dues, 
duties,  services,  and  demands  whatsoever ;  provided  nevertheless,  that  nothiug 
herein  contained  shall  be  construed,  deemed,  or  taken  in  any  manner  to  exempt 
the  said  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  or  any  of  them,  of  and  from  the 
payment  of  any  rate,  sum  or  sums  of  money  now  due  or  hereafter  to  be  due  from 
them  or  any  of  them  to  the  parish  church  of  Westchester,  in  the  county  afore- 
said, or  for  or  in  respect  thereof,  or  ol  and  from  the  performances  or  execution  of 
any  parochial  office  or  duty  in  the  same  parish,  or  to  prejudice,  or  in  giving  any 
the  rights,  privileges,  emoluments  and  authorities  of  the  present  rector  of  the  said 
parish  of  Westchester,  aforesaid  or  the  rector  of  the  same  parish  church  for  the 
time  being,  but  that  the  same  shall  and  may  continue,  remaine  and  be  as  fully 
and  amply  to  all  intents  and  purposes  whatsoever,  as  the  same  now  are,  and  as  if 
this  present  grant  had  never  been  made,  anything  herein  before  contayned  to  the 
contrary  thereof  in  any  wise  notwithstanding.  In  testimony  whereof  we  have 
caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made  patent,  aud  the  seale  of  our  said  province  of 
New  York  to  our  said  letters  patent  to  be  affixed  to  the  same,  to  be  recorded  in 
ye  secretary's  office  of  our  said  province.  Witness  our  trusty  and  well  beloved 
Robert  Huuter,  Esq.,  captain-general  and  governor-in-chief,  in  and  over  our  prov- 
ince of  New  York  aforesaid,  and  territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  and 
vice-admiral  of  the  same,  and  in  council  at  our  fort  at  New  York  aforesaid,  the 
seventh  day  of  February,  in  the  tenth  year  of  our  reign,  and  ^in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  God,  1714."* 

Abiut  this  period,  "the  town  gave  a  house  and  three  acres  of 


•  Alb.  Rec.  Lib.  viii.  pp.  1,  9,  3. 


424  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

land,  adjoining  the  church,  for  the  use  of  the  clergyman  forev- 
er."* 

During  the  year  1714.  Mr.  Bondet,  at  the  request  of  the  So- 
ciety, took  charge  of  the  Mohegan  or  River  Indians. 

The  next  communication  from  Mr.  Bondet  to  the  Venerable 
Society  is  as  follows  : — 

MR.  BONDET  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  Neiv-York,  3d  April,  1714. 

Honored  Sir, 
By  my  last  of  the  25th  of  Nov.,  1713,  if  happily  come  to 
your  hand,  you  are  informed  of  the  reception  of  yours  of  the 
28lh  July,  1712,  and  of  my  gratitude  to  the  Honourable  Society 
for  their  bounty,  having  brought  my  salary  to  the  rate  of  £50. 
That  seasonable  relief  of  their  equitable  regard  hath  rescued  me 
from  several  inconveniencies,  who  had  rendered  the  mainte- 
nance of  my  family  difficult  and  uneasy.  I  was  in  a  perfect 
resolution  to  continue  my  service,  trusting  in  the  Lord,  that  when 
my  circumstances  should  come  plainly  and  truly  to  be  known 
by  the  Honourable  Society,  their  piety  should  resolve  something 
for  my  relief,  of  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  inform  me,  as 
also  of  one  hundred  French  common  prayer  books,  who  came  not 
with  your  letter,  but  are  come  since  in  very  good  order.  That 
new  token  of  the  pious  care  of  the  Honourable  Society  for  our 
company,  hath  renewed  our  thanks  and  blessings  upon  their 
charity  and  rebuked  the  temeranious  suspicions  suggested  by 
our  contradiction  that  our  labor  and  confidence  should  come  to 
nothing,  being  abandoned  and  left  to  our  weakness,  but  thanks 
be  to  God,  who  hath  rebuked  the  scorns  and  relieved  our  simple 
and  sincere  endeavours,  by  the  continuation  of  the  Honourable 
Society's  benevolence  and  charity,  as  also  by  the  wise  and  se- 
rious concurrence  of  his  Excellency,  our  Governor,  Col.  Hun- 

*  Missions  of  the  Church  of  England,  by  Ernest  Hawkins,  B.  D.,  282. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  425 

ter,  who  in  that  affair,  as  in  all  others,  hath  showed  the  regard 
of  a  grave  and   pious  ruler,  who,  with  a  philosophic  patience 
hears  and  considers  every  thing,  and  with  sound  judgment,  de- 
clares his  mind  among  the  contending  parties,  and  with  a  con- 
stant equity,  countenances  by  his  authority  the  right  and  law- 
ful claim  of  his   protection.      These   favourable  junctures  of 
Providence  have  produced  effects  answerable,  constancy  and 
thankfulness  of  our  people,  and  a  daily  increase  of  consenters 
to  the  Church.     By  my  antecedent  accounts,  the  Honourable 
Society  hath  been  informed  of  the  numberof  our  communicants, 
which  hath  been  from  the   beginning  of  our  conformity,  four 
times  in   the  year,  between  thirty  and  forty  communicants  of 
our  town,  sometimes  above  forty,  but  this  last  Easter  there  was 
fifty  communicants  ;  three  families  reunited  to  the  flock,  which 
were  the  most  sober  and  sensible  persons  of  our  disturbed  inhabi- 
tants ;  those  who  remain  yet  backward,  showing  rather  the 
humour  of   seditious,  obstinate  disturbers,  than   the   spirit  of 
sound,  religious  christians,  but  [  live  peaceably  and  civily  with 
them,  knowing  that  the  most  forward,  may,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  turn  docile;    as  I   have  with   patience  and   moderation 
waited  for  others,  so  shall  I  continue  to  do  for  the  few  remain- 
ing back,  ready  to  help  them  for  their  own  good  and  the  full 
and  perfect  gathering  of  the  flock.     It  remains  that  I  inform 
the  Honourable  Society,  that  as  I  continue  to  do  the  service  in 
English,  every  third  Sunday,  as  I  did  from  my  first  entrance  in 
this  place,  that  I  have  done  it  till  now  with  a  bible  of  small 
volume  and  character,  that  the  Honourable  Society  be  pleased 
to  allow  us  the  benefit  of  an  English  bible,  with  a  small  quan- 
tity of  English  common  prayers,  because  our  young  people,  or 
some  of  them,  have  sufficiently  learned  to  read  English  for  to 
join  in  the  public  service  when  read  in  English.     Concerning 
the  books  I  have  received  from  the  Society,  they  are  disposed  of 
according  to  their  intention,  with  an  exact  memorial  of  the  per- 
sons who  have  received  them,  and  that  which  remain  of  those 
or  of  my  own  shall  be  left  and  conveyed,  I  hope,  to  my  suc- 
cessor ;    entreating  the  Honourable  Society  that  he  may  be  a 


426  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

missionary  fit  for  to  perform  the  divine  service  in  French  and  En- 
glish as  I  have  done,  for  the  edification  of  our  people,  and  per- 
petuating the  memory  of  this  conformity  to  the  national  Church 
of  England,  in  which  we  shall  continue  to  pray  for  the  life  and 
prosperity  of  her  Majesty  and  dominions,  for  the  preservation 
and  welfare  of  the  Church,  and  as  bound  by  our  just  acknow- 
ledgment for  the  most  Honourable  and  Venerable  Society,  that 
they  may  continue  in  present  and  future  generations,  examples, 
encouragers,  and  promoters  of  true  godliness.  This  premised,  I 
recommend  myself  to  your  benevolence,  and  remain, 

Honourable  Sir,  &c., 

Daniel  Bondet."* 

In  another  letter  he  thus  writes  to  the  same: — 

MR.  BONDET  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rochelle.  Oct.  17th,  1716. 
Honored  Sir, 
Concerning  the  present  state  of  our  church  I  have  nothing 
thank  God  to  acquaint  you  with,  which  discourage  my  service 
nor  the  favour  of  the  Honorable  Society.  We  stand  orderly  and 
peaceably  under  the  protection  and  favour  of  our  worthy  Gover- 
nor. The  number  of  our  first  disturbers  is  decreased,  who  have 
increased  our  congregation.  The  door  of  my  heart  is  always 
open  to  reconciliation,  as  the  gates  of  the  church  for  their  re- 
ception. The  2nd  of  April,  Easter  Day,  we  had  fifty-two  com- 
municants ;  the  7th  of  July,  fifty ;  the  7th  of  October  we  had 
forty  seven.  The  Hon.  Col.  Nicholson  being  in  these  parts  in 
the  beginning  of  the  Church  settlement  in  this  province  was 
pleased  at  his  parting  to  leave  in  the  hands  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ve- 
sey,  rector  of  the  church  of  New  York,  a  bill  of  £20  to  be  dis- 
tributed among  the  ministers  of  the  Province,  who  being  then 
in  convention  at  New- York,  Mr.  Vesey  declared  it  to  the  Assem- 

■  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  pp.  475,  476.  (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  427 

bly,  which  was  of  seven  of  us,  and  as  they  were  about  calcula- 
ting how  much  it  was  for  every  one,  one  of  the  brethren  being 
generously  moved  towards  mc,  who  had  then  nothing  for  my 
support  but  the  poor  contribution  of  New  Rochelle,  he  said,  the 
Brother  Bondet  is  the  poorer  of  us,  let  him  have  the  whole,  to 
which  all  consented,  but  this  disorder  of  the  affairs  of  the  prayer 
assigned,  hath  caused  the  bill  to  be  unpaid,  till  of  late,  that  Mr. 
Vesey  informed  me  that  he  had  finally  received  the  money,  re- 
membering also  how  it  was  agreed  in  the  before  mentioned  con- 
vention. I  said  to  him,  that  Providence  having  since  relieved 
and  comforted  me  by  the  favour  of  the  Honorable  Society,  that 
I  was  remitting  my  pretension  to  the  gift  to  procure  glass  to  our 
church   which  Mr.  Ves<?y  liked  very  well,"* 

The  following  year  Mr.  Bondet  informs  the  Society  of  the 
death  of  Jane  Bondet  his  wife.  The  subjoined  was  probably  his 
last  letter  to  that  Venerable  Body,  although  he  continued  faith- 
fully at  his  post  more  than  three  years  afterwards. 

MR.  BONDET  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rochelle,  Nov.  12th}  1717. 
Honored  Sir, 
That  I  be  not  wanting  in  duty  to  the  Honorable  Society  and 
their  orders.  I  inform  you  that  I  am  alive  and  thank  God  in 
good  health,  considering  my  age,  having  lost  this  year  my  wife, 
God  having  crowned  the  hardships  of  her  pilgrimage  with  a 
honorable  end.  I  keep  and  rule  my  house,  as  I  ought  to  be  ex- 
emplary in  house  ruling  as  in  church  ministering.  My  congre- 
gation continue  in  the  same  terms  that  you  have  been  informed 
by  my  precedents,  forty,  fifty  and  sixty  communicants.  I  have 
of  late  admitted  to  the  communion  two  negroes  to  the  sat- 
isfaction of  the  Church,  who  heard  them  often  before  giving 
promise  of  their  christian  instruction,  and  having  good  report 
among  our  people.    There  is  nothing  wanting  in  respect  of  the 

•  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  pp.  512,  513.    (Hawks.) 


428  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

outward  order,  but  as  I  have  represented  before  that  our  town 
might  have  the  privilege  of  Church,  and  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the 
law  for  to  contribute  towards  the  support  of  the  minister  who 
serveth  them.  I  pray  not  on  that  point  by  ambition  nor  as  com- 
plaining of  any  indigence,  but  it  does  not  look  well  that  a  min- 
ister who  hath  served  past  twenty  years  in  this  province, 
founded  a  church  and  put  it  in  the  order  where  it  appears  to  the 
public  approbation,  be  left  to  voluntary  contribution,  and  the 
contribution  raised  by  law  be  applied  to  another  place.  I 
leave  that  to  your  wise  consideration,  depending  entirely  on 
the  favour  and  approbation  of  the  Honorable  Society  for 
which  I  pray  daily,  as  I  am  bound  in  duty,  that  their  good 
works  may  continue  and  prosper,  to  the  confirmation  and 
propagation  of  ever  truth  and  godliness. 
I  remain, 

Reverend  Sir, 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

Daniel  Bondet."* 

The  latter  period  of  this  good  man's  ministry,  (whose  age 
and  infirmities,  at  least,  should  have  entitled  him  to  some 
degree  of  respect,)  was  embittered  by  the  outrageous  conduct 
of  the  seceders  from  their  own  Church,  aided  by  one  Mouli- 
nars,  and  the  Consistory  of  the  French  Church  of  New- 
York.  It  appears  that  Monsieur  Lewis  Roux,  a  man  of 
learning  and  the  lawful  pastor  of  the  French  Church  in 
New- York,  absolutely  refused  to  abet  these  seceders,  at  New 
Rochelle,  which  ultimately  led  to  his  unjust  dismissal  from 
the  pastoral  charge,  and  the  usurpation  of  the  above  men- 
tioned Moulinars.  The  whole  matter  is  thus  represented  by 
Governor  Hunter  to  the  Venerable  Society : — 


New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham  vol.  i.  535-6.    (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  429 

COL.  HUNTER  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"Bath,  Sept.2Ut,  1720. 
Sir, 
I  had  the  honour  of    yours  with    Mr.   Bondet's  enclosed. 
Monsieur  Roux's  moderation  procured  him  the  chagrin  of  a 
colleague  of  a  different  disposition,  who  was  not  so  easy  to 
hearken  to  advice,  which  was  all  that  was  in  my  power.     The 
case   stands  thus  :  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle 
separated  from  the  rest  from  the  time  that  Mr.  Bondet  owned  his 
Episcopal  ordination,  and  being  without  a  pastor  of  their  own 
they  met  on  Sundays,  at  Mr.  Alard's  house,  where  they  con- 
tinued their  religious  exercise  after  their  own  manner.     Mon- 
sieur Roux,  refused  to  go  thither  either  to  preach  or  administer 
sacraments,  being  persuaded  that  they  were  not  without  a  law- 
ful pastor  of  their  own,  on  whom  he  would  not  intrude,  which 
got  him  enemies  amongst  the  most  zealous  and  considerable  of 
his  congregation,  which    ended  in  their  calling  an  assistant 
tractable  to  their  warm  disposition.     I  foresaw  what  has  hap- 
pened, and  begged  of  Mr.  Bondet  to  enter  into  no  discussions 
with  the  Consistory  at  New- York,  where  his  enemies  would 
be  his  judges,  but  to  bear  all  with  patience  and  to  represent  it  to 
the  Society.     If  the  chief  of  the  ministers  of  the  French  Con- 
gregational Churches  could  be  persuaded  to  write  to  Monsieur 
Molinar  to  forbare  intruding  where  he  has  no  lawful  call,  as 
his  colleague  has  hitherto  done,  I  believe  that  would  answer  all 
the   ends  Monsieur  Bondet  has  in  view,  and  keep  things  quiet 
there. 

I  am  with  respect,  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Robert  Hunter."1 

Monsieur  Roux,  in  a  memorial  to  the  Governor,  dated  New 
York,  Feb.  18,  1724-25,  says  : — "  In  opposition  to  this  National 

•  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  pp.  564-5.    (Hawks.) 


430  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Church,  they  (Moulinars  and  friends)  have  entertained  and  fo- 
mented for  several  years  a  scandalous  schism  at  New  Rochelle, 
where  the  incapacity  of  providing  for  a  minister,  obliged  the 
inhabitants  to  establish  an  Episcopal  Church,  through  the  boun- 
ty and  protection  of  the  Society  in  England,  and  they  would 
still  support  this  schism  if  their  M  . .  .  .  was  not  taken  up  in 
the  custody  of  our  church,  of  which  he  keeps  the  keys,  in 
order  to  keep  me  out  unjustly."8-  Wonderful  to  say,  throughout 
this  dispute,  Moulinars  and  his  party  not  only  undertook  to 
defend  their  independency  from  the  discipline  of  the  French 
Church,  but  labored  to  prove  their  attachment  to  the  Church  of 
England.  In  answer  to  the  first,  Mr.  Roux  very  justly  observes, 
(in  the  above  mentioned  memorial)  "  that  if  he  is  not  mistaken, 
the  true  principles  of  the  Independent  are  expressly  condemned 
in  our  discipline."  As  to  the  second,  he  says : — K  They  have  al- 
ways been  enemies  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  estab- 
lished; they  have  always  railed  at  her  liturgy,  her  service,  her 
Church  government,  and  her  ceremonies."  This  strife  contin- 
ued for  some  time,  until  at  length,  the  New- York  seceders  "  be- 
ing fearful  of  a  decree,  that  might  expose  their  own  estates  to 
the  payment  of  Mr.  Roux's  salary,  thought  it  advisable  to 
drop  their  debates,  reinstate  the  minister  and  leave  the 
Church."t> 

In  New  Rochelle  the  seceders  erected  a  meeting  house,  styled 
themselves  "  The  French  Protestant  Congregation,"  and  re- 
mained violently  opposed  to  their  lawful  pastors,  and  not  only 
so,  but  in  opposition  to  their  own  founders,  prescribed  the  Church 
of  England  in  her  doctrine,  discipline,  ordinances,  usages,  rites 
and  ceremonies,  as  popish,  rotten  and  unscriptural.  How  dif- 
ferent this  from  the  views  of  their  great  reformer  Beza,  who 
addressing  Queen  Elizabeth,  says : — "  But  you,  O  Queen,  and 


k  Smith's  Hist,  of  N.  Y.,  pp.  I6fi,  167.  "  About  the  middle  of  the  last  century,' ' 
the  Historian  of  N.  Y.  says  "  the  French  Chorch  of  N.  Y.  by  the  contentions,  in 
1724,  and  the  disuse  of  the  French  Language  is  now  reduced  to  an  inconsiderable 
handful. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  NEW  ROCHELLE.  431 

your  people,  by  your  means,  enjoy  what  perhaps  no  other  king- 
dom does,  the  complete  profession  of  the  pure  and  sincere  doc- 
trine of  the  Gospel.  To  which,  if  you  add  (what  all  good  men 
hope  for,  and  the  most  faithful  bishops  of  your  kingdom  have  long 
desired,)  the  full  restoration  of  ecclesiastical  discipline  also;  in 
truth  1  do  not  see  what  England  can  desire  more  of  you,  or  your 
majesty  can  confer  more  upon  it."a  Here  are  none  of  those 
home-bred  charges  of  superstition,  idolatry,  anti-christianism,  or 
popery,  brought  against  the  liturgy ;  but  it  is  owned  to  be  the  pure 
worship  of  God  purged  from  the  filth  and  dregs  of  anti-chris- 
tianism.1'    As  the  poet  Cowper  well  observes : — 

*'  All  zeal  for  reform,  which  gives  offence 
To  peace  and  charity,  is  mere  pretence." 

But  there  is  one  thing  which  it  will  not  be  amiss  to  mention 
here,  which  is,  that  these  seceders  not  only  proscribed  the 
established  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England,  but  altogether 
discarded  the  public  Liturgy  or  Form  of  Prayers  and  Adminis- 
tration of  Sacraments,  which  all  ministers  of  the  French  Church 
were  obliged  to  use  in  their  daily  service.  Calvin  gave  this 
advice  to  the  heads  of  the  English  Reformation  in  King 
Edward's  days,  and  we  do  not  doubt  but  he  took  care  to  put  it 
in  practice  in  his  own  country  : — "  As  to  what  concerns  a  form  of 
prayer  and  Ecclesiastical  rites,''  says  he,  "I  highly  approve  of  it, 
that  there  be  a  certain  form,  from  which  the  ministers  be  not 
allowed  to  vary  :  that  first,  some  provision  may  be  made  to  help 
the  simplicity  and  unskillfulness  of  some.  Secondly,  that  the 
consent  and  harmony  of  the  Churches,  one  with  another,  may 
appear,  and  lastly,  that  the  capricious  giddiness  and  levity  of 
such  as  effect  innovations,  may  be  prevented.  To  which  end  I 
have  shown  that  a  catechism  will  be  very  useful.     Therefore, 


■  Bingham's  Antiquities  of  the  Christian  Church,  vol.  viii.  97-8. 
k  Mr.  Skinner,  the  grand-father  of  the   late  Primus  of  Scotland,  somewhere 
observes,  that  Subter-stition  is  quite  asibad  as  Supcr-stition. 


432  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

there  ought  to  be  a  stated  catechism,  a  stated  form  of  prayer  and 
administration  of  the  sacraments."11 

"If  we  had  no  clearer  light  or  evidence  concerning  the  prac- 
tice of  the  French  Church  in  this  matter,"  says  Bingham,  "this 
were  a  strong  presumption  what  it  must  be,  considering  how 
great  an  hand  Calvin  had  in  its  reformation."  But  we  have 
most  certain  and  undeniable  evidence  in  the  case.  Their 
Book  of  Discipline  in  one  canon  determines  the  controversy 
beyond  all  dispute,  chap.  5,  art.  32.  where  it  says,  "  If  any 
pastor  break  the  Church's  union,  or  stir  up  contention  about 
any  point  of  doctrine,  or  discipline,  or  about  the  form  of  cate- 
chising, or  administration  of  the  sacraments,  or  of  our  common 
prayers  and  celebration  of  marriage,  and  conform  not  to  the  de- 
termination of  the  Classis,  he  shall  then  be  suspended  from  his 
office,  and  be  further  prosecuted  by  the  Provincial  or  National 
Synod."  Here  we  see  conformity  to  the  Liturgy  and  all  its 
parts,  as  well  as  to  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Discipline,  is 
made  necessary  to  the  Church's  union.b  So  that  Moulinars 
and  his  party  of  seceders  at  New  Rochelle  were  truly  Indepen- 
dents, condemned  by  the  discipline  of  the  French  Church. 

The  Rev.  Daniel  Bondet  died  sometime  in  September,  1722, 
aged  sixty-nine  years,  having  been  nearly  twenty-six  years 
minister  of  this  church.  He  was  eminently  useful  in  keeping 
the  congregation  together,  under  its  adverse  circumstances,  and 
as  he  lived  greatly  beloved,  so  he  died  greatly  lamented.  His 
mortal  remains  were  interred  beneath  the  chancel  floor  of  the 
old  church.  His  will  bears  date  the  24th  of  March,  1721-2, 
and  was  proved  on  the  21st  of  September  following. 

THE  WILL  OP  DANIEL  BONDET,  CLERK. 
"  In  the  Name  of  God,  Amen,  The  four  and  twentieth  day  of  March,  one 
thousand  seven  hundred  and  twenty-two,  I,  Daniel  Bondet,  minister  of  the  Gos- 
pel, of  New  Rochelle,  being  sick  in  body  bat  of  good  and  perfect  memory,  thanks 


•  Calvin  Ep.  ad.  Protector.  Angl.  p.  4169.  Bingham's  Antiq.  of  Ch.  Ch.  vol.  viii. 
B.  viii.  p.  87. 
b  Bingham's  Antiq.  of  Ch.  Ch.  vol.  viii.  B.  iii.  p.  88. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  433 

be  to  .Almighty  God,  and  calling  to  remembrance  the  uncertain  state  of  this 
transitory  life,  and  that  all  flesh  must  yield  unto  death,  when  it  shall  please  God 
to  call  ;  do  make,  constitute,  ordain  and  decl?re,  this  my  ast  Will  and  Testamen 
in  manner  and  form  following  : — Revoking  and  Annulling  by  these  presents,  all 
and  every  Testament  and  Testaments,  Will  and  Wills  heretofore  by  me  made 
and  declared,  either  by  word  or  writing,  and  this  is  to  be  taken  only  for  my  las 
Will  and  Testament,  and  none  other.  And  first,  being  penitent  and  sorry,  from  the 
bottom  of  my  heart  for  all  my  sins  past,  most  humbly  desiring  forgiveness  for  the 
same,  I  give  and  commit  my  soul  unto  Almighty  God,  my  Saviour  and  Redeem- 
er in  whom,  and  by  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ,  I  trust  and  believe  assuredly  to  be 
saved  and  to  have  full  remission  and  forgiveness  of  all  my  sins,  and  that  my  soul 
with  my  body  at  the  general  Day  of  Resurrection  shall  rise  again  with  joy,  and 
through  the  merits  of  Christ,  seek  and  pass  in,  possess  and  inherit  the  Kingdom 
of  Heaven  prepared  for  his  Elect  and  Chosen  :  and  my  body  to  be  buried  in  such 
place  where  it  shall  please  my  Executors  hereafter  named  to  appoint.  And  now 
for  the  settling  of  my  Temporal  Estate,  and  such  Goods,  Chattels  and  Debts,  as 
it  hast  pleased  God  for  alone  my  Deserts  to  bestow  upon  me.  I  do  order,  give 
and  dispose  of  the  same  in  manner  following  :  that  is  to  say,  First,  I  will  that  all 
those  Debts  and  duties  that  I  owe  in  Right  or  Conscience  to  any  manner  of  per- 
son or  persons  whatsoever,  shall  be  and  truly  contented  and  paid  or  ordained  to 
be  paid,  within  convenient  time  after  my  decease,  by  my  Executors  hereafter 
named.  Item. — I  Give,  bequeath  and  constitute  for  my  only  heirs,  Lieutenant 
Oliver  Besley,  Jun.,  of  New  Rochelle  ;  desireing  him  after  my  Decease  to  come 
and  take  possession  of  all  my  goods,  chattels  and  debts,  with  obligations  which  is 
belonging  to  me,  with  a  Negro  Woman  called  Toinetta,  Ready  Money,  Plates, 
Jewells,  Rings,  Household  Stuff,  Apparels,  Utensils,  Brass,  Pewter,  Bedding  and 
all  other  of  my  substance  whatsoever,  moveable  and  immoveable.  Item. — I  do 
Give  to  Bety  Cantin,  one  obligation  from  Peter,  which  is  now  in  the  hand  and 
possession  of  her  Father,  Jean  Cantin,  and  that  she  shall  have  from  this  present 
time  and  hereafter,  lawful  for  her  to  receive  the  said  Due,  Debt  or  Interest  to  her 
proper  use  or  benefit,  without  molestation  hereafter,  from  any  body  whatsoever. 
Item.— I  do  give  to  Judith  Robinseau,  a  little  Negro  Girl,  named  Charlotte,  for 
her  proper  use  and  benefit,  without  molestation  hereafter  from  any  body  whatso- 
ever. Item. — I  do  give  to  the  use  of  the  Church  of  New  Rochelle  all  my  Books. 
Inwilnessl  have  put  my  hand  and  seal,  this  twenty  fourth  day  of  March,  1721-2. 

Daniel  Bondet,     (p.s.) 

Sealed  and  signed  in  presence  of  us,  Isaac  Mercier,  Aman  Guyons,  Ceasar    F. 
Suiz<_\"» 

During  the  interval  between  the  death  of  Mr.  Daniel  Bondet 
and  the  appointment  of  his  successor,  services  were  performed 


■  Rec.  of  Wilto,  Surrogate's  Office,  N.  Y.,  vol.  ix.  p.  332,  333. 

2S 


434  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

by  the  Rev.  John  Bartow,  rector  of  the  parish,  as  appears  from 
the  following  communication  to  the  Honorable.  Society  : — 

MR.  BARTOW  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

'■'•Neio  York,  Nov.  loth,  1722. 
Worthy  Sir, 
By  the  death  of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Bondet,  last  September,  the 
care  of  New  Rochelle  is  wholly  devolved  on  me,  till  the  Rev- 
erend and  Honorable  Society  be  pleased  to  send  another  mis- 
sionary for  that  place,  which  I  hope  will  be  speedily,  being  un- 
fit to  travel  so  far  at  fixed  times  by  reason  of  age  and  uncer- 
tain indispositions,  but  by  God's  leave,  shall  attend  the  care  of 
that  people  as  much  as  I  can  without  doing  wrong  to  the  rest 
of  my  parish.  I  preach  now  at  four  towns,  Eastchester,  West- 
chester, Yonkers  and  New  Rochelle  ;  the  last,  eight  miles,  Yon- 
kers  six  miles,  Eastchester  four  from  home,  and  do  other  occa- 
sional offices.  I  have  preached  twice  at  New  Rochelle  since 
Mr.  Bondet  died,  and  intend,  God  willing,  to  administer  the 
sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  there  the  first  Sunday  in  the 
next  month.  According  to  the  proportion  of  their  annual  pay- 
ment to  the  Church,  I  must  preach  there  about  eight  Sundays 
in  the  year,  and  if  the  Society  do  think  me  worthy,  should  be* 
glad  if  they  would  allow  me  something  for  travelling  charges 
until  they  send  another  missionary.  Mr.  Bondet  bequeathed  in 
his  last  will  all  his  books  to  the  use  of  the  Church.  Mr.  John 
Pell,  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Pelham,  of  which  New  Rochelle  is 
a  part,  has  given  one  hundred  acres  of  land  within  the  said 
manor,  which  land  Mr.  Bondet  enjoyed  to  the  use  of  the 
Church  for  ever.  A  house  and  about  three  acrc3  of  land  adjoin- 
ing New  Rochelle  church  was  given  by  the  town  to  the  church 
for  ever,  all  which  I  do  presume  have  and  do  belong  to  me, 
durante  vitse,  but  should  gladly  acquit  all  to  such  missionary  of 
the  Church  as  the  Society  shall  think,  fit  to  send,  together  with 
the  perquisites  as  Mr.  Bondet  enjoyed  them.  I  humbly  pray 
that  the  Society  would  send  them  a  missionary  that  can  preach 
to  them  in  their  mother  tongue,  and  that  he  be  desired  to  preach 
once  a  month  in  English,  at  Eastchester,  for  I  can't  attend  the 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  435 

people  so  often  as  they  require,  which  was  the  occasion  about 
three  years  since  of  the  hiring  a  Presbyterian  minister,  who  is 
now  removed  to  Bedford  within  the  parish  of  Rye,  of  which  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Jenny  has  undertaken  the  care  of,  with  the  Society's 
approbation.  I  now  by  the  bearer  received  my  money  of  Mr. 
Perry,  about  which  I  have  been  so  impertinent  to  you,  through 
a  mistake,  and  humbly  beg  the  Society's  pardon  and  venerate 
their  justice,  and  shall  not  cease  to  pray  for  the  blessing  of  God 
on  their  pious  endeavors,  who  am,  Sir, 

Your  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

John  Bartow."* 

In  1723,  Mr.  Bartow  received  from  the  Society  £10  for  his 
extra  services  at  New  Rochelle.  Mr.  Bonded  wtts  succeeded  in 
1724  by  the 

REV.  PIERRE  STOUPPE,  A.  M. 

This  individual  was  also  a  native  of  France,  and  nearly  re- 
lated to,  if  not  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Stouppe,  minister  of  the 
French  Church  in  London,  who  was  sent  by  Oliver  Cromwell 
in  1*554  to  Geneva,  to  negociate  in  affairs  relating  to  the  French 
Protestants. b  He  was  born  in  1690,  studied  divinity  at  Geneva, 
and  afterwards  accepted  a  call  as  minister  to  the  French  Church 
of  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina.  '  Here  he  continued  until 
the  Summer  of  1723,  when  he  resigned  his  charge,  conformed  to 
the  Church  of  England,  and  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  be  ordained. 
At  Christmas,  1723,  he  was  admitted  to  holy  orders,  by  the 
Rt.  Rev.  Edmund  Gibson,  D.  D.,  the  then  Lord  Bishop  of  Lon- 
don, and  licensed  to  officiate  as  a  missionary  in  the  Govern- 
ment of  New-York.  At  the  same  time  he  was  appointed  the 
Venerable  Society's  missionary  to  Mew  Rochelle,  with  a  salary 
of  £n0  npr  annum,  T»i  July  1724  he  received  his  commis- 
sion from  Governor  Burnet.  He  proved  very  acceptable  to  his 
flock  because  he  could  preach  in  French,  which  language  only 
most  of  them  understood.     In   1721,  the    Society's    Abstracts 


•  New- York,  M3S.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  582-3.  (Hawks.) 

*  Dr  Vaughan's  Protectorate  of  Cromwell,  vol.  i.  p.  12. 


436  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

say: — -That  Mr.  Stouppe's  congregation  is  much  increased  since 
his  arrival,  and  that  the  number  of  his  communicants  is  thirty- 
eight.  ' 

T.  TETER  STOUPPE'S  ANSWERS  TO  THE  QUERIES  OF    T3 
BISHOP  OF  LONDON. 

[QUERIES  TO  BE  ANSWERED  BY  EVERY  MINISTER.] 

New  Rochcllc,  1734,  the  12M  October. 

Q.     How  long  is  it  since  you  went  over  to  the  plantations  as  a  missionary  " 

A.  Your  Lordship  knows  that  I  went  over  as  a  missionary  but  since  the  last 
Spring. 

&.     Have  you  had  any  other  church  before  you  came  to  that  which  you  now 
if  you  had  what  church  was  it,  and  how  long  have  you  been  re- 
d  1 

A.    I  had  the  French  church  of  Charleston,  in  South  Carolina,  and  left  it  about 
en  months  ago. 

Q..    Have  you  been  duly  licensed  by  the  Bishop  of  London  to  officiate  as  a  mis- 
.-  in  the  Government  where  you  now  are  *! 

A.    I  have  been  licensed  by  your  Lordship  himself. 

GL     How  long  have  you  been  inducted  into  your  living "? 

A.     I  have  been  inducted  since  the  month  of  July  last. 

Q..  Are  you  ordinarily  a  resident  in  the  parish  to  which  you  have  been  in- 
ducted "i 

A.  astantly  there. 

Q.  Of  what  extent  is  your  parish  and  how  many  families  are  there  in  it? 

A.  The  extent  of  it  is  two  miles  in  length  and  three  miles  in  breadth,  and  U 
reckoned  to  contain  seventy  families,  among  whom  are  some  Presbyterians. 

Q.  Are  there  any  Infidels,  bond  or  free,  within  your  parish,  and  what  means  are 
used  for  their  conversion  ? 

A.  There  is  in  all  but  a  few  negro  slaves,  some  of  which  come  on  Sundays  out 
of  their  free  will  to  church  without  their  master's  order,  but  no  other  means  are 
used  for  their  conversion. 

Q.  How  oft  is  divine  service  performed  in  your  church  ;  and  what  proportion  of 
the  parishioners  attend  it  ? 

A.  Divine  service  is  performed  twice  every  Sunday,  in  the  morning  and  evening, 
and  upon  Christmas  day.  Easter  day  and  Communion  days  ;  there  is  a  preparation 
sermon  upon  some  day  cf  the  week,  which  as  well  as  other  public  service  is  always 
attended  by  the  most  part  of  the  parishioners  conformed  to  the  Church. 

Q.  How  oft  is  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  administered  ;  and  what  is  the 
usual  number  of  communicants  ? 

A.  The  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  is  administered  four  times  a  year,  and 
the  number  of  communicants  is  sometimes  more,  sometimes  less,  but  commonly  be- 
tween forty  and  fifty. 

Q.  At  what  time  do  you  catechise  the  youth  of  your  pa: 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCIIELLE.  437 

A.  The  youth  is  catechised  all  the  Summer  long,  six  or  seven  months  in  the  year. 

Q.  Arc  all  things  duly  disposed  and  provided  in  the  church  for  the  decent  and 
orderly  performance  of  divine  service  ? 

A.  Every  thing  is  provided  in  the  church  for  the  decent  and  orderly  performance 
of  tho  service  according  to  the  church's  ability. 

Q.  Of  what  value  is  your  living  in  sterling  money  and  how  does  it  arise? 

A.  I  cannot  tell  your  Lordship  of  what  value  my  living  will  be  in  sterling 
money,  depending  only  upon  voluntary  contributions,  and  having  not  yet  received 
oue  farthing  to  that  purpose  ;  the  people  is  but  very  poor,  and  besides,  New  Rochelle 
is  included  in  Westchester  parish.  They  are  obliged  to  pay  towards  Mr.  Bartow's 
salary,  appointed  to  him  by  act  of  Assembly,  which  rendered  them  incapable  of 
doing  anything  for  me,  except  otherwise  should  be  provided. 

Q.  Have  you  a  house  and  gleb*  ;  Is  your  glebe  in  lease  or  let  by  the  year,  or  is  it 
occupied  by  yourself? 

A.  There  is  a  house  and  one  hundred  acres  of  laud  belonging  to  it,  but  at  some 
distauce,  which  land  is  let  by  the  year  for  four  pence  sterling  an  acre. 

Q.  Is  care  taken  to  preserve  your  house  in  good  repair  aud  at  whose  expense  is  it 
dono  ? 

A.  There  is  but  indifferent  care  taken  to  preserve  the  parish  house  in  good  repair, 
and  as  for  the  expenses,  they  are  taken  upon  the  members  of  the  Church  each  one. 

Q,.  Have  you  more  cures  than  one,  if  you  have,  what  are  they,  and  in  what 
manner  served? 

A   I  have  no  other  cures  than  tho  aforesaid. 

Q..  Have  you  in  your  parish  any  public  school  for  the  instruction  of  youth  ? 

A.  There  is  no  public  school  within  the  precinct  of  New  Rochelie — the  parents 
take  care  to  instruct  their  own  children. 

Q,.  Have  you  a  parochial  library;  if  you  have,  are  the  books  preserved,  and  kept 
in  good  condition ;  have  you  any  particular  rules  aud  orders  for  the  preserving  of 
them  ;  are  these  rules  and  orders  duly  observed  ? 

A.  My  predecessor,  Mr  Boudet,  has  left  four  hundred  volumes  for  the  use  of  the 
church  for  ever ;  they  ar3  kept  in  pretty  good  condition,  but  I  know  no  particu- 
lar rules  of  preserving  them. 

My  Lord,  &c, 


j&Py*^ 


At  the  date  of  Mr.  Stoup's      arrival,  the  elders  or  ancients  (as 
they  are  sometimes  styled,)  at  this  church,  were  Isaac   Q,uan- 


■  New- York,  MS3.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  673.  (Hawks.) 

J 


438  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

teiii  and  Isaac  Guion.     The  following  extract  is  taken  from 
Mr.  Stouppe's  first  letter  to  theS  ociety: — 

MR.  STOUPPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

"  New  Rochelle,  Province  of  New  -  York, 

May  mh,  1725. 
Sir. 
But  there  are  yet  thirty  families  unconformed  within  New 
Rochelle  bounds,  and  were  it  not  for  fear  of  the  eager  censures 
of  Mr.  Moulinars,  one  of  the  French  ministers  of  New- York, 
who  comes  quarterly  amongst  them,  and  some  of  the  most 
creditable  members  of  his  congregation,  who  jointly  with  him 
do  support  their  separation  from  the  Church,  all  those  yet  dis- 
senting families,  without  exception,  would  have  been  come  over 
to  it  already.  The  proceeding  is  so  unjust  that  I  cannot  for- 
bear to  complain  of,  and  set  down  to  the  consideration  of  the 
Honorable  Society,  "some  of  the  arguments  they  make  use  of  to 
keep  the  Dissenting  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  in  their  divi- 
sion, from  the  Church  and  even  to  pervert,  if  possible,  its  truest 
defenders.  They  not  only  at  all  occasions  inspire  them  with  a 
disadvantageous  opinion  of  the  Church  of  England,  but  they 
raile  in  a  plain  manner  at  its  Liturgy  and  Ceremonies.  The 
said  Mr.  Moulinars  has  declared  (as  can  be  proved)  that  he 
finds  our  Church  and  that  of  Rome  as  like  one  another  as  two 
fishes  can  be,  besides,  the  said  minister  and  his  party  have 
threatened  the  yet  dissenting  French  inhabitants  of  New  Ro- 
chelle of  breaking  with  them  all  commerce,  and  of  suspending 
all  acts  of  charity  and  support  towards  them,  if  ever  they  should 
dare  to  join  themselves  at  any  time  to  the  Church,  nay,  for  in- 
stance, the  said  Moulinars  and  his  party  convinced  long  ago  of 
Mr.  Roux,  the  other  minister  of  the  French  in  New- York,  and  his 
inclination  and  good  affection  to  the  Church,  and  of  his  always 
openly  blaiming  and  disapproving  Mr.  Moulinars,  his  colleagues 
irregular  practices  against  the  Church  in  general,  and  especial- 
ly his  keeping  up  and  fomenting  our  unhappy  divisions  in  New 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  439 

Rochelle.  The  said  Moulinars  and  his  party  in  revenge,  have 
pretended  to  depose  Mr.  Roux,  and  suspend  him  accordingly 
of  ah  his  accustomed  ministerial  functions  amongst  them,  as 
you  may  see  it  more  largely  in  this  collection  of  papers  on  that 
subject  which  I  beg  of  you  to  put  into  the  Honorable  Society's 
hand:-;,  and  which  will  justify  in  general  the  matters  I  here 
acquaint  them  with.  They  will  find  that  one  of  the  chiefest 
reasons  of  this  violence  against  Mr.  Roux,  has  no  other  ground 
than  his  constant  affection  to  the  Church,  and  the  public  appro- 
bation he  has  at  all  times  and  occasions  given  to  its  ceremo- 
nies and  doctrine,  and  this  affair  is  so  far  gone  that  the  Hon- 
orable Council  of  this  province  could  not  forbear  to  take  notice 
and  to  interpose  their  mediation  and  authority,  which  having 
been  unsuccessful  on  the  French  dissenters  part,  Mr.  Roux  in- 
tends by  the  advice  of  his  friends  to  carry  his  complaints  into 
Chancery,  where  it  is  not  doubted  but  he  will  find  protection 
and  justice.  I  thought  it  necessary  to  make  you  this  relation 
that  the  Honourable  Society  might  be  more  sensible  of  the  great 
prejudice  Mr.  Moulinars  and  his  adherents  do  in  general  to  the 
Church  of  England,  and  in  particular  to  that  of  New  Rochelle> 
and  that  there  is  no  unlawful  practice  which  they  scruple  to 
make  use  of  for  the  detriment  of  it.  After  Mr.  Bondett's,  my  pre- 
decessors death,  they  engaged  the  dissenters  to  build  a  meeting 
house  about  two  hundred  yards  distant  from  the  church  in  which 
I  officiate  twice  every  Sunday,  they  incited  them  also  to  reclaim 
the  one  hundred  acres  of  land  which  Mr.  Bondet  enjoyed,  and 
which  were  given  by  the  Lord  Pell  to  the  use  of  the  Church,  in 
order  to  deprive  me  of  it ;  and  not  withstanding  all  the  friendly 
presentations  made  from  time  to  time  to  the  said  Mr.  Moulinars 
by  some  gent  of  this  country,  and  also  by  the  late  Lord  Bishop  of 
London,  of  which  Master  Aufere,  one  of  the  Society  members, 
may  give  a  more  full  and  exact  account,  all  this,  I  say,  did  not 
prevail  with  him,  nor  induce  him  to  keep  his  own  congregation 
and  not  to  intrude  himself  into  those  of  others,  and  consequent- 
ly not  to  trouble  their  union  and  peace.  He  also  of  late  eagerly 
consumed  some  of  the  dissenters  of  New  Rochelle,  who  to  save 
expenses  and  inconveniences  they  would  lay  under  in  bringing 


440  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

their  children  to  York  to  be  christened  by  him,  or  who  by- 
reason  of  having  no  aversion  from  the  Church  do  not  think  fit 
to  defer  their  baptism  till  he  come  amongst  them,  according  to  his 
desire  have  required  me  to  baptize  them.  I  heartily  wish  the 
Honourable  Society  would  pity  our  assaulted  Church  and  take 
some  effectual  means  for  the  removing  of  the  cause  and  in- 
strument of  the  unhapy  divisions  we  are  in  ;  our  endeavours  here 
without  their  assistance  having  proved  of  but  little  and  of  none 
effect.  For  there  is  no  irregular  practice  which  in  their  opinion 
is  not  supported,  and  which  they  do  not  find  justified  and  au- 
thorized by  the  benefit  of  toleration  and  liberty  of  conscience 
granted  to  them,  in  such  manner  they  abuse  that  great  and  in- 
estimable priviledge.  You  will,  Rev.  Sir,  very  much  oblige  me 
in  giving  me  notice  as  soon  as  possible,  of  the  Honourable  Soci- 
ety's intention  and  resolution  about  that  affair. 

I  am,  Reverend  Sir,  &c, 

Peter  Stouppe." 

Writing"  to  the  Propagation  Society  in  1726,  he  thus  de- 
scribes the  state  of  his  church: — "That  he  has  baptized  six 
grown  negroes  and  seven  negro  children,  fitted  eight  young  peo- 
ple for  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  to  which  they  have 
been  accordingly  admitted,  and  that  the  number  of  his  commu- 
nicants at  Easter  last,  was  thirty- three.'' a 

MR.  STOUPPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rochelle,  Dec.  1  Ith,  1727. 
Reverend  Sir  : 
According  to  the  Honorable  Society's  order,  signified  unto  me 
by  your  last  of  the  16th  June,  1717,  here  you  have  the  best  ac- 
counts I  could  get  upon  the  several  heads  and  matters  intimated 
unto  me  in  the  aforesaid  years. 

1st.     As  to  the  church.  It  was  built  in  the  year  1708,  upon  the 


■  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  pp.  665-6-7-8.  (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  441 

public  or  king's  road,  of  strong  materials,  joint  together  with 
mortar,  the  inside  plastered  and  white  washed,  of  40  feet  length 
and  30  breadth.  Partly  by  its  own  members,  the  inhabitants  of 
New  Rochelle,  who  gave  it  a  number  of  days  work  towards  it, 
partly  by  the  contributions  of  the  following  charitable  persons, 
members  of  the  Church  of  Englaud  or  well  wishers  to  it,  set- 
tled in  divers  parts  of  this  province  as  you  will  see  by  the  list 
here  set  down  and  recorded  in  our  church  book. 

Fifty  paces  from  the  said  church,  there  is  a  glebe  of  three  and 
a  half  acres  of  land,  upon  part  of  which  stands  the  parish  house 
or  the  minister's  dwelling  place,  built  of  wooden  materials,  the 
inside  plastered,  consisting  of  two  rooms  on  a  floor,  a  garret  and 
a  small  kitchen  house,  the  other  part  of  said  glebe  serves  for  a 
dwelling  place. 

The  salary  subscribed  for  the  minister  by  the  members  of 
New  Rochelle  church  amounts  at  present  to  £10  19s.  money 
of  this  province,  of  which,  through  negligence  or  pretended  pov- 
erty of  the  subscribers  there  is  little  more  than  half  part  of 
it  actually  paid,  so  that  the  provisions  of  firewood  which  they 
make  to  their  minister  for  the  time  being,  is  by  much  the  better 
part  of  his  salary,  though  little  in  itself. 

There  is  no  other  endowment  belonging  to  the  Church  that 
I  know  of.     This  is  all  what  I  can  say  upon  that  head. 

2nd.  1  come  now  to  the  second.  The  number  of  people  that 
first  settled  New  Rochelle  was  about  a  dozen  of  families,  the 
most  part  of  them  were  in  Europe,  trading  merchants;  being 
French  refugees,  they  were  all  at  first  addicted  to  the  Confes- 
sion of  Faith  of  the  formerly  Reformed  Protestant  Church  of 
France.  These  few  families.  I  say,  have  conjointly  bought  of 
the  Lord  Pell,  6000  acres  of  land  and  divided  it  into  lots  and 
parcels,  from  20  to  30, 40, 50,  60,  100,  200  and  300  acres  a  piece  ; 
have  sold  afterwards  the  said  lots  and  parcels  to  any  who  had  a 
mind  to  buy  them,  English,  French  or  Dutch,  but  so  it  happened 
that  more  of  the  French  than  of  the  two  other  nations  proved 
desirous  to  settle  among  them.  To  this,  if  you  add  the  increase 
and  settlement  of  their  children  since  that  time,  each  of  which 


442  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

have  their  particular  houses,  or  dwelling  places,  being  set- 
tled upon  so  many  respective  lots  and  parcels  of  ground,  the 
present  number  of  inhabitants,  comprehending  young  and  old  of 
both  sexes,  amounts  to  very  near  400  persons.  There  is  a  doz- 
en of  houses  near  the  church,  standing  pretty  close  to  one  an- 
other, which  makes  that  place  a  sort  of  a  town ;  the  remainder 
of  the  houses  and  settlements  are  dispersed  up  and  down  as  far 
as  the  above  said  6000  acres  of  land  could  bear.  Nay,  besides 
those,  there  were  several  other  French  families  members  of  New 
Rochelle  settled  without  its  bounds.  They  are  little  or  not  at  aU 
improved  in  their  fortunes,  and  a  few  tailors  and  shoe  makers 
excepted,  they  all  live  upon  the  produce  of  their  own  land. 

There  is  no  church  near  or  about  New  Rochelle,  save  one 
which  from  the  one  side  of  its  bounds  is  three  miles  distant,  and 
from  the  other  side  seven  miles  distant,  and  divine  service  is  no 
oftener  performed  in  it  than  once  in  a  month,  or  twelve  times  in  a 
year.  Travelling  is  in  all  seasons  difficult  in  this  country,  it 
being  very  rough  and  uneven,  full  of  rocks  and  stones,  hills, 
valleys,  creeks,  loose  and  bad  bridges.  The  Fall  is  attended 
with  great  showers  and  the  Winter  with  ice,  snow  and  excee- 
ding sharp  winds. 

3rd.  As  to  the  3rd  head.  There  is  two  quaker  families,  three 
Dutch  ones,  four  Lutherans  and  several  of  the  French.  The 
first  never  assist  our  assemblies,  the  Dutch  and  Lutheran  on  the 
contrary,  constantly  assist  when  divine  service  is  performed  in 
English,  so  that  they  may  understand  it,  and  their  children  like- 
wise have  all  been  baptized  by  ministers  of  the  Church.  Only 
the  French  Dissenters  have  deserted  it  upon  Mr.  Moulinars,  for- 
merly one  of  the  French  ministers  of  New-York,  coming  and 
settling,  now  a  year  ago,  among  us,  and  t'is  also  by  his  means 
and  inducement  that  while  he  yet  was  minister  of  New- York, 
that  they  have  built  a  wooden  meeting  house  within  the  time 
they  was  unprovided  for,  that  is,  from  my  predecessor's  death  to 
my  arrival  here.  The  said  Moulinars  and  followers  to  the  num- 
ber of  about  one  hundred  persons,  and  the  said  meeting  house, 
built  by  his  persuasion,  are  the  sole  dissenting  teacher,  people 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  443 

and  meeting  house,  within  New  Rochelle  bounds.  The  said 
Moulinars  is  supported  partly  by  the  contributions  of  his 
hearers,  partly  by  the  assistance  of  some  of  the  French  Dissen- 
ters of  New- York,  who  in  my  predecessor's  time,  as  well  as  nowj 
have  done  much  harm  to  our  poor  church  and  always  obstruc- 
ted their  reconciliation  thereto. 

4th.  There  is  no  school  nor  schoolmaster  as  yet  in  New  Ro- 
chelle ;  the  parents  take  care  to  instruct  their  own  children  and 
that  they  do  generally  pretty  well,  besides  what  instructions  are 
given  to  them  in  the  church  during  Summer  by  the  minister. 

5th.  As  to  the  fifth  article.  I  don't  question  but  the  Honorable 
Society  knows  that  the  Lord  Pell  when  he  sold  the  6,000  acres 
of  New  Rochelle  ground  to  the  aforesaid  families  of  Refugees 
who  first  settled  it,  gave  in  the  same  time  100  acres  of  land  for 
the  encouragement  and  benefit  of  any  minister  that  would  serve 
them,  which  land  being  laid  out  by  the  buyers  in  one  of  the 
worst  places,  upon  a  very  rocky  ground,  and  distant  a  mile  and 
one  half  from  the  parish  house,  has  been  let  by  my  prede- 
cessor and  by  me,  for  four  pence  sterling  an  acre,  yearly  rent, 
bating  20  acres,  holden  by  a  distracted  woman  not  supported 
by  the  parish  before  last  year,  &c. 

There  is  no  other  library  but  that  which  Mr.  Bondet  has  left 
to  the  Church  consisting  of  about  400  volumes. 

6th.  The  number  of  slaves  within  New  Rochelle  is  78,  part 
of  them  constantly  attend  Divine  service  and  have  had  some 
instructions  in  the  Christian  Faith  by  the  care  and  assistance 
of  their  respective  masters  and  mistresses,  so  that  my  prede- 
cessors did  not  scruple  to  baptize  some  and  even  to  admit  to  the 
Communion  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  and  I  myself  have  for  the 
same  consi  leration  baptized  fifteen  of  them  within  these  three 
years,  some  children,  and  some  grown  persons,  indifferently  well 
instructed  in  the  fundamentals  of  our  Holy  Religion. 

I  assure  you,  Sir,  that  they  shall  always  have  a  convenient 
share  in  my  assistance  and  care,  and  as  far  as  will  be  necessary 
to  make  them  good  and  religious  persons  without  the  least  pre- 
judice to  the  rest  of  my  flock.     These  Sir,    are  the   sentiments 


444  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

which  I  entertain  and  of  which  I  shall  endeavor  to  give  to  the 
Honorable  Society  the  most  convincing  proofs. 

1  am,  Reverend  Sir,  your  most  Obedient  Servant, 

Peter  Stouppe."3- 

In  1729,  he  writes : — "  That  he  continues  his  diligence  in  all 
parts  of  duty  ;  that  besides  the  white,  he  hath  baptized  ten  ne- 
gro children  and  one  grown  person,  and  hath  thirty-four  com- 
municants." The  next  year  he  informs  the  Society: — "That 
the  French  and  English  prayer  books  sent  there  by  the  Society- 
have  been  of  great  use  and  even  thankfully  received  by  the  peo- 
ple. His  congregation  improves,  the  number  of  communicants 
increases,  and  in  the  space  of  six  months  he  baptized  fifteen 
white  children  and  three  negroes."b  Upon  the  7th  of  April,  1733? 
he  acquaints  them  : — "  That  his  congregation  increases,  that 
he  had  thirty-three  communicants  last  Easter,  and  hath  within 
six  months  baptized  eleven  white  and  five  negro  children. c" 
The  next  communication  from  Mr.  Stouppeis  the  following: — 
MR.  STOUPPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rochelle,  iug.  10//*,  1733. 

Rev.  Sir, — In  my  last,  April  10th,  1733,  by  Capt.  Saml.  Bourdet, 
bound  for  Bristol,  there  being  then  no  ship  besides  in  this  town 
bound  for  England  ;  I  informed  you  how  I  had  heard  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Vesey,  our  Commissary,  that  the  last  4  doz.  of  Com- 
mon Prayer  Books  sent  by  the  Honorable  Society  to  be  given  to 
the  people,  who  desire  them,  were  in  his  hands.  Now  Sir,  I  must 
inform  you  that  I  have  received  the  same  some  time  ago,  and 
distributed  some  to  the  people  as  they  made  application  for  them. 
I  say  as  they  made  application  for  them,  for  these  people  being 
none  of  my  parishioners,  but  Dr.  Standard's,  I  cannot  sufficient- 
ly discern  those  that  deserve  to  have  them  from  those  that  do 
not,  as  my  intentions  are  sincere,  I  am  apt  to  think  every  man's 
so.     Sure  it  is,  the  Honorable  Society  receive  a  great  deal  of 


»  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham.  vol.  i.  678-9-80-1-2.  (Hawks.) 
11  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Society. 
•  Ibid. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  EOCHELLE.  445 

praises  and  blessings  of  them  on  that  account,  which  I  doubt 
not  will  have  one  day  a  good  effect,  and  beget  in  time,  not  only 
love  end  respect,  but  a  thorough  conformity  and  willing  ad- 
herence to  the  Church. 

As  for  my  particular  church.  Sir,  I  have  had  35  communi- 
cants last  July  communion,  and  since  my  last,  of  the  7th  of 
April,  I  have  baptized  five  white  children.  I  have  always  a 
constant  good  number  of  hearers,  and  when  divine  service  is 
performed  in  English  the  congregation  is  so  numerous  of  late 
that  people  scarce  can  sit,  some  resorting  from  Eastchester,  some 
from  Mamaroneck, especially  in  the  summer  season,  besides  the 
English  and  Dutch  of  this  town,  who  have  all  hitherto  applied 
to  me  for  supplying  their  spiritual  necessities,  particularly  for 
administering  baptism  to  their  children. 

Now,  Reverend  Sir,  one  thing  I  beg  leave  to  offer  to  the  Hon- 
orable Society's  consideration  is,  that  Christmas  next  there  will 
be  ten  years  since  I  have  been  admitted  into  Holy  Orders  by  the 
present  Right  Reverend  the  Lord  Bishop  of  London,  and  there- 
upon appointed  the  Honorable  Society's  missionary  for  this 
place.  That  during  the  said  space  of  ten  years,  besides  their  an- 
nual salary  to  me,  I  have  received  but  very  small  contributions 
from  my  hearers,  not  for  want  of  good  will  or  good  understand- 
ing between  them  and  me,  (God  forbid)  there  is  no  congregation 
in  the  province  better  united  than  we  are,  but  because  being 
crowded  upon  one  another  they  have  but  little  land,  and  being 
generally  encumbered  with  the  maintenance  of  large  families  of 
their  own,  they  are  unable  to  do  it,  and  can  but  just  pay  their 
contributions  to  Westchester  parish,  whereof  they  make  a  part 
and  have  not  as  yet  been  discharged  from. 

Upon  this  account,  Sir,  my  circumstances  are  but  straight  in 
comparison  to  those  of  other  missionaries,  who  by  law  are  allow, 
ed  yearly  some  £60,  this  country  money,  besides  their  salary 
from  the  Honorable  Society,  and  as  I  conceive  my  sincere  inten- 
tions and  endeavours  for  the  good  of  the  Church  as  well  as  the  ac- 
tual and  constant  performance  ofduty  to  come  short  to  that  of  none 
of  my  brethren,  I  make  bold  to  inlreat  that  Honorable  Society  in 
consideration  thereof,  and  in  consideration  that  clothing  and 


446  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

moveables  are  very  dear  in  this  country,  that  they  would  be 
pleased  in  their  goodness  to  allow  and  bestow  upon  me  any 
small  gratification,  not  that  it  may  quicken  my  zeal  for  the 
Church  and  diligence  in  discharging  my  duty,  for  either  of  them 
can  hardly  receive  any  addition,  but  that  it  may  comfort  and 
ease  me  and  my  family  under  my  present  low  circumstances. 
However,  if  the  Honorable  Society's  fund  will  not  permit  them 
to  grant  this  my  humble  request,  I  shall  look  upon  a  refusal  on 
that  account  with  all  the  resignation  imaginable." 

I  am  Reverend  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient,  humble  Servant, 

Peter  Stouppe."3- 

June  1st,  1735,  he  acquaints  the  Society  : — "That  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  increase  at  New  Rochelle,  that  there  is 
always  a  very  handsome  auditory  when  Divine  service  is  per- 
formed, especially  in  the  Summer  season  of  the  year,  when  the 
English,  Dutch  and  Germans,  settled  within  a  mile  or  two,  do 
join  with  them,  and  that -he  hath  baptized  since  Christmas  last, 
nine  white  and  five  negro  children."  Upon  the  4th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1737,  he  transmitted  the  following  account: — "That  the 
state  of  his  Church  continues  good,  the  members  thereof  being 
very  assiduous  and  punctual  in  attending  Divine  service  all 
the  parts  of  the  year,  and  being  thankful  for  that  blessing.  He 
hath  32  communicants,  and  hath  baptized  within  the  year  12 
white  and  6  black  children."b 

In  his,  letter  of  November  16th,  he  writes  .-—"That  the  peo- 
ple do  regularly  attend  Divine  Service  at  all  seasons,  that  the 
last  time  he  had  thirty-six  at  the  Holy  Communion.  That  in 
ths  last  year  he  hath  baptized  11  white  children  and  4  blacks." 

The  subjoined  extract  from  a  letter  of  Leonard  Lispenard,  and 


■  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  265-6.     (Hawks.) 
k  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Society. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  447 

other  inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle  to  the  Reverend  Mr.  Orem,  da- 
t<  .1  \ew  Rochelle,  December  1st,  1742,  shows  that  some  of  the 
former  were  disaffected  to  Mr.  Stonppe.  But  whether  its  au- 
thors were  members  of  the  Church  or  not,  is  very  uncertain  : — 

"  I  went  to  Mr.  Lispenard's  who  lives  in  ye  place  to  <.  uquire  con- 
cerning the  inhabitants  of  it,  who  reckoned  up  with  80  families 
in  the  boundaries  of  the  place,  31  of  which  were  such  asunder- 
stood  no  French,  24  were  Calvanists,  and  only  4  persons,  which 
are  from  old  France,  that  come  to  ye  Church  of  England,  and 
they  are  very  ancient  people  ;  wherefore  I  and  a  great  many 
others  are  of  opinion,  that  although  the  place  is  so  situated  that 
there  seems  to  be  an  absolute  necessity  for  a  minister,  yet  Ave 
humbly  conceive,  he  needs-not  be  a  Frenchman,  nor  be  ordered 
to  read  and  preach  in  French,  considering  how  things  are  cir- 
cumstanced at  present.  I  and  several  others  therefore  entreat  you 
to  condescend  so  far  as  to  represent  our  case  truly,  as  I  have 
done  to  you,  either  to  Mr.  Bearcroft,  or  any  other  gentleman 
whom  you  think  has  interest  enough  to  procure  us  a  minister  in 
Mr.  Stouppe's  stead,  who  the  English  complain  has  disappointed 
them  very  much  since  I  have  been  to  England,  and  for  9  weeks 
together,  never  repeated  the  service  of  the  Church  in  English, 
but  was  either  sick  or  gone  to  New-York,  or  made  some  excuse 
always  on  the  Sunday  when  he  should  have  preached  in  En- 
glish."a 

In  the  year  1743,  we  find  the  members  of  the  Church  address- 
ing the  Venerable  Society  on  behalf  of  their  minister  as  fol- 
lows : — 

"New  Rochelle  June  1st  1713. 

Dn.  Bearcroft  : 
Rev.  Sir, — Our  minister,  ye  bearer  hereof,  having  communi- 
cated to  us  his  letter  to  you  of  ye  ninth  of  Oct.,  1742,  wherein 
he  expressed  a  desire  of  revisiting  his  native  country,  and  asked 
ye  Honorable  Society's  leave  for  that  purpose ;  we  took  that 

•  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  a,t  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  138.    (Hawks.) 


448  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

declaration  as  if  he  had  resolved  to  leave  us  altogether  and  to 
serve  our  church  no  longer ;  and  therefore,  made  bold  to  address 
ourselves  unto  ye  Honorable  Society  for  providing  us  with 
another,  that  we  might  not  remain  destitute. 

But  learning  now  from  his  own  mouth  that  he  designs  to  go 
no  further  than  London,  and  is  willing  to  return,  with  ye  Hon'ble 
Society's  permission,  for  the  service  of  our  church.  We  there- 
fore, upon  this  consideration,  take  ye  liberty  to  declare  and  ac- 
quaint you  that  our  said  minister,  since  his  first  coming,  has 
constantly  resided  among  us,  preaching  (as  directed  by  ye 
Hon'ble  Society,)  two  Sundays  in  French  and  one  in  English, 
much  to  our  satisfaction  and  edification,  his  doctrine  being  very 
sound,  and  his  pronunciation  full,  clear,  and  intelligible — upon 
which  account  we  could  have  wished  that  he  had  finished  his 
days  among  us  without  interruption,  and  we  expected  nothing 
else  ;  but  as  it  happens,  a  strong  desire  to  hear  from  his  relatives 
has  prevailed  with  him  to  take  a  journey  for  Europe.  Howev- 
er, seeing  now  he  explains  his  mind,  and  promises  to  return 
among  us,  we  beg  of  the  Hon'ble  Society  that  they  would  ac- 
cordingly be  pleased  to  send  him  again  to  us,  by  the  first  and 
next  opportunity.  But  if,  contrary  to  our  expectations,  it  should 
fall  out  otherwise,  we  repeat  our  former  petition,  and  beg  leave 
to  entreat  ye  Hon'ble  Society  not  to  leave  us  destitute,  but  to 
continue  to  us  their  charity  in  providing  us  with  another  in  his 
room,  as  in  their  great  wisdom  they  shall  think  fit.  Such  is  the 
prayer  of  us  underwritten  members  of  New  Rochelle  church, 
who  are  with  great  respect, 

Reverend  Sir, 
Your  most  obedient  humble  servants, 

and  in  ye  name  of  all, 

Jean  Soulice, 
Peter  Bonnet, 

Giel  LeCounte, 
Peter  Sicard." 
(Signed  by  56  others.) 

In  1 743.  Aman  Guion  gave  one  acre  and  three  quarters  of  land, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  449 

"  which  is  now  in  possession  of  the  Rev#  Peter  Stouppe,"  for 
the  use  of  the  minister  and  communicants  of  the  French 
Church. 

DEED  FOR  CHURCH  LOT  IN  NEW  ROCHELLE. 

"  To  all  Christian  People  to  whom  this  Deed  of  Sale  shall  come  :  Aman  Guion 
of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  county  of  Westchester  and  Provinco  of  New  York,  Black- 
smith, sendeth  Greeting :  Know  ye  that  the  said  Aman  Guion,  for  and  in  considera- 
tion of  the  sum  of  five  pounds  ten  shillings,  current  money  of  the  Province  of  New- 
York,  to  him  iu  hand  paid  by  Isaac  Guion  and  John  Soulis,  of  New  Rochelle  afore- 
said, churchwardens  or  elders  of  the  French  Church,  in  New  Rochelle  aforesaid, 
according  to  rules  and  form  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established,  now  at 
or  before  ye  ensealing  and  Delivery  hereof,  the  receipt  whereof  I  do  hereby  acknow- 
ledge and  myself  therewith  fully  satisfied,  contented  and  paid,  and  thereof  and  of  and 
successors,  for  the  use  of  the  minister  and  communicants  of   the  French  Church,  in 
New  Rochelle  afforesaid,  as  is  therein  settled  according  to  the  Rules  and  form  of    the 
Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established.     That  is  to  say,  a  certain  small  parcel  of 
land  containing  one  acre  and  three  quarters,  more  or  less,  which  is  now  in  the  pos- 
session of  the  Reverend  Peter  Stouppe,  now  minister  of  the  aforesaid  church,  in  New 
Rochelle,  and  bounded  as  follows  :  Northerly  by  the  Burying  Place,  Easterly  by 
the  land  of  Aman  Guion,  or  a  Lane  or  Road.     Southerly,  by  the  land  that  former- 
ly belonged  to  De  Bonrepos,  and  Westerly  by  the  land  of  William  LeConte,  as 
it  is  now  in  fence,  together  with  all  and  singular  the  fences,  fencing  and  other 
appurtenances  belonging  to  said  land.      To  have  and  to  hold  said  granted  and 
bargained,  or  intended  to  be  hereby  granted  and  bargained  Land  and  Premises, 
to  them  the  said  Isaac  Guion  and  John  Soulis,  and  their  successors  forever,  for  the 
use  of  the  French  Minister,  and  communicants  of  the  French  Church  in  New 
Rochelle  aforesaid,  as  it  is  therein  settled  according  to  the  rules  and  form  of  the 
Church  of  England  as  by  law  established  to  them  and  their  successors  own  and 
only  proper  use,  benefit  and  behoof.    And  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  them  the 
said  Isaac  Guion  and  John  Soulis  and  their  successors  from  time  to  time,  and  at 
all  times  for  use  hereafter,  lawfully,  peaceably  and  quietly  to  have,  hold,  use, 
occupy,  possess  and  enjoy  the  before  granted  and  bargained  Land  and  premises, 
free  and  clear  for  the  use  afforesaid,  ffreely  and  clearly  acquited,  exonerated,  re- 
leased and  Discharged  from  all  manner,  former  and  other  gifts,  grants,  bargains, 
sales,  leases,  mortgages,  entails,  jointures,  wills,  Dowrys,  Judgments,   Execu- 
tions, Extents,  and  every  other  irouble  and  incumbrance  whatsoever,  to  these  be- 
fore granted  and  bargained  Lands  and  premises,  to  them  the  said  Isaac  Guion 
and  John  Soulis,  and  their  successors  for  Ever,  for  the  use  above  said.    He,  the 
said  Aman  Guion,  his  heirs,  executors  and  Administrators,  shall  and  will  forever 
hereafter  warrant  and  Defend  by  these  presents,  and  that  against  all  the  just  and 
lawful  Claims  of  all  and  every  other  person  or  persons  whatsoever  claiming  or 
that  shall  and  may  hereafter  claim  any  just  right,  title,  interest,  property  or  de- 
mand, of,  in  or  to  said  granted  and  bargained  land  and  premises,  or  of,  in,  or 
to  any  part  or  parcel  thereof.     In  witness  whereof,  he  the  said  Aman  Guion 

29 


450  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

has  hereunto  set  his  hanjl  and  seal,  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  March,  in  the  six- 
teenth year  of  the  reign  of  King  George  the  Second,  Anno  Domini,  one  thous- 
and seven  hundred  and  forty-three. 

Aman  Guion."  a 

From  this  time  until  1750,  nothing  particular  occurs  with 
regard  to  the  parish  in  the  reports  of  the  Society. 

MR.  STOUPPE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rochelle,  June  8th,  1750. 
Rev.  Sir, 

In  my  former  of  ye  25th  Oct.,  1749,  I  informed  you  of  the 
religious  zeal  which  the  members  of  New  Rochelle  Church  do 
show  on  all  occasions,  whenever  divine  service  is  performed 
among  them.  How  they  do  prefer  ye  hearing  of  a  sermon  to 
all  idle  and  vain  amusements,  and  had  no  more  severed  from  ye 
Church  by  taking  up  with  fanatical  notions,  contrary  to  sound 
doctrine,  however  current  and  common  such  notions  had  be- 
come some  time  ago;  and  I  do  with  pleasure  acquaint  you  now, 
that  they  are  still  the  same  people,  very  devout,  constant  and 
steady  members  of  ye  Church,  and  will  continue  such  to  the 
end  of  their  days. 

The  number  of  actual  communicants  continues  likewise  to 
be  68,  for  as  often  as  we  lose  some  old  ones  by  death,  there  are 
young  persons  who  desire  to  be  received  and  admitted  in  their 
stead,  and  since  my  last,  have  baptized  15  infants,  viz :  11  white, 
and  4  black. 

There  being  due  to  me  a  whole  year's  salary,  unpaid  last 
Lady  day,  1749-50, 1  have  drawn  for  the  same  on  the  Honor- 
able Society's  treasurer ;  and  hope  my  letting  it  run  into  a 
year's  salary  will  occasion  no  trouble  to  ye  treasurer,  for  other- 


»  Town  Book,  Lib.  A.  178.  "  Upon  the  petition  of  fifty-six  freeholders  and  inhabi- 
tants of  New  Rochelle  on  the  2nd  of  April,  1771,  the  Commissioners  of  the 
Town  closed  a  certain  road,  formerly  laid  out,  running  between  the  land  of  Joseph 
Drake  and  the  Church  Glebe,  beginning  at  the  school  house,  and  so  to  run  up  to  the 
post  road,  the  highway,  or  containing  by  estimation  two  acres  and  three  quarters  of 
land,  which  money  was  to  be  applied  and  paid  by  the  Town  Clerk  to  the  collector, 
for  and  towards  the  parish  rates  for  the  year  ensuing."    Town  Rec.  pages  178,  268. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  451 

wise  I  shall  draw  for  it  every  Six  months.     This,  Sir,  is  what 
offers  at  present  from, 

Rev.  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

Peter  Stouppe."* 

The  following  is  from  the  Society's  abstracts  for  A.  D. 
1756  : — "  The  Rev.  Mr.  Stouppe,  the  Society's  missionary  both 
to  the  English  and  French,  at  New  Rochelle,  informs  the  Soci- 
ety, by  his  letter  of  June  16th,  1756,  that  the  Church  continues 
there  in  a  good  state,  and  he  officiates  to  numerous  congrega- 
tions, both  of  English  and  French,  and  that  the  number  of  the 
communicants  is  increased  to  eighty,  and  he  had  baptized,  in 
the  preceding  twelve  months,  thirty-four  white,  and  six  black 
children."b 

Mr.  Stouppe  informs  the  Society,  by  his  letter  of  June  5th, 
1758,  "  that  since  the  war  broke  out,  there  have  been  great  al- 
terations in  his  congregations,  which  have  lost  many  of  the 
members  by  removals,  and  by  enlistings  in  the  King's  service 
and  by  death ;  nevertheless,  the  number  of  his  communicants 
is  seventy-four,  and  he  had  baptized  within  the  present  half 
year,  fifteen  white,  and  five  black  children."0 

The  ministry  of  this  zealous  and  successful  missionary  was 
brought  to  a  close,  by  his  death,  in  July,  1760.  The  Rev. 
Henry  Barclay,  D.  D.,  rector  of  Trinity  Church,  New- York,  in 
a  letter  dated  Sept.  3d,  1760,  encloses  the  following  address  to 
the  Society  from  the  Church  of  New  Rochelle,  wherein  they 
acquaint  that  body  with  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Pierre  Stouppe, 
who  for  thirty-seven  years  had  been  their  missionary : — 

VESTRY  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rochelle,  July  ye  30th,  1760. 
Rev.  Sir. 
We,  the  members  of  the  Church  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the 


■  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulhain,  vol.  ii.  pp.  153,  154.     (Hawks,) 
h  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  from  20th  Feb.,  1756,  to  18th  Feb.,  1757. 
•  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  from  21th  Feb.,  1758,  to  23d  Feb.  1759. 


452  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Province  of  New-York,  in  communion  with  the  Church  of 
England,  beg  leave  to  acquaint  the  Venerable  Society,  that  it 
hath  pleased  Almighty  God  to  call  home  to  himself  their  late 
worthy  missionary,  and  our  faithful  pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Stouppe,  by  whose  death  we  are  bereaved  of  the  inestimable 
blessing  of  the  regular  dispensation  of  the  divine  ordinances. 
This  loss  will  be  irreparable,  unless  we  may  be  allowed  to 
hope  for  the  continuance  of  ye  bounty,  which  has  hitherto  been 
dispersed  for  the  support  of  the  gospel  amongst  us,  wherein  if 
it  shall  please  the  Honourable  Society  to  indulge  us,  we  beg 
leave  humbly  to  request  that  a  successor  may  be  sent  to  Mr. 
Stouppe,  who  is  competently  versed  in  the  French  language,  that 
he  may  sometimes  officiate  therein  for  the  benefit  of  some  of 
our  ancient  people,  but  if  this  be  not  practicable,  we  shall  be 
content  to  have  the  service  wholly  in  the  English  tongue,  which 
is  by  much  the  best  understood  by  the  greater  part  of  the  con- 
gregation. 

We  have  a  parsonage  house  and  glebe  of  90  acres  of  land, 
which  if  properly  improved  may  become  valuable,  and  we  shall 
always,  we  trust,  exert  ourselves  to  the  utmost  of  our  abilities, 
to  make  a  missionary  living  as  comfortable  as  possible.  Rev. 
Sir,  be  pleased  to  represent  this  to  the  Venerable  Board,  with 
our  most  dutiful  respects  and  grateful  acknowledgments  of  their 
former  bounty,  which  will  greatly  oblige, 
Rev.  Sir,  &c, 

James  De  Blez, 
Barnard  Rynlander, 

Churchwardens."  a 
and  others. 

"  Mr.  Stouppe,  (says  Mr.  Hawkins)  was  a  simple  minded,  con- 
scientious man,  who  continued  for  seven  and  thirty  years  faith- 
fully to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  mission.  During  this  long 
incumbency,  the  number  of  his  communicants  had  been  raised 
from  thirty-three  to  eighty."'0 


*  New-York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  273.     (Hawks.) 
b  Missions  of  the  Church  of  England  by  Ernest  Hawkins,  B.  D. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  453 

His  remains  were  also  interred  beneath  the  chancel  of 
the  old  French  church  at  New  Rochelle,  where  he  had  served 
so  faithfully,  here  to  await  the  morn  of  the  resurrection,  and 
to  receive,  we  trust,  the  eulogy  of  the  gospel,  "  well  done,  thou 
good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

In  a  postscript  to  a  letter  from  Mr.  Barclay  to  the  Secretary, 
dated  New- York,  Dec.  10th,  1760,  he  says  :— "  Mrs.  Magdalene 
Stouppe,  the  widow  of  the  late  missionary,  desired  me  to  re- 
commend her  to  the  Venerable  Board,  hoping  to  receive  their 
usual  bounty." 

The  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler,  in  his  MS.  Biographies  of  the 
Clergy,  says  of  Mr.  Stouppe  : — "  that  he  was  a  worthy  clergy- 
man, and  greatly  beloved  by  his  congregation.  When  I  read 
prayers  and  sermons  in  that  place,  (New  Rochelle)  in  1784  and 
1785  and  17S6,  as  a  layman,  I  heard  him  often  spoken  of  in  the 
highest  terms  of  respect  by  some  very  aged  people,  upon  whose 
veracity  I  could  depend."a 

Mr.  Stouppe  was  succeeded  by  the 

REY.  MICHAEL  HOUDIN,  A.  M. 

He  was  born  in  France  circ.  1705,  and  bred  a  Franciscan  fri- 
ar. On  Easter  day,  1730,  he  was  ordained  priest  by  the  arch- 
bishop of  Treves,  and  afterwards  preferred  to  the  office  of  su- 
perior of  a  convent  of  Recollects  or  Franciscan  friars,  at  Montre- 
al in  Canada.b     Disgusted  with  the  monastic  life,  he  left  Can- 


■  Rev.  A.  Fowler's  MS.  Biog.  of  the  Clergy,  vol.  ii.  p.  130. 

b  The  following  notice,  probably  of  this  individual,  occurs  in  the  New- York 
Council  Minutes: — "  On  the  29th  of  June,  1744,  Governour  Clinton  acquainted  the 
Council  that  one  Monsieur  Michael  Houden,  and  a  woman,  said  to  be  his  wife, 
were  lately  come  to  town  from  Canada,  from  which  place  they  had  lately  fled,  and 
that  on  their  arrival,  he  had  confined  them  to  their  lodgings,  and  had  placed  two 
sentinels  over  them,  and  had  ordered  the  said  Michael  Houden  to  be  brought  before 
him  in  Council  this  day  in  order  to  be  examined.  The  said  Michael  Houden  being 
without,  was  called  in  and  examined  by  his  Excellency  in  Council,  and  afterwards 
remanded  to  his  lodgings.  At  a  Council  held  on  the  5th  of  July  following,  the  Gov- 
ernour  communicated  to  the  Board,  a  letter  he  had  lately  received  from  Lieutenant 
Lindesay,  giving  his  Excellency  advice  of  Monsieur  Michael  Huyden  passing  by 


454  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

ada  in  the  beginning  of  the  French  war  and  retired  to  the 
city  of  New- York,  where  on  Easter  day,  1747,  he  made  a  pub- 
lic renunciation  of  the  errors  of  popery,  and  joined  himself  to 
the  Church  of  England.  He  afterwards  lived  with  very  good 
character,  and  attained  great  proficiency  in  the  English  lan- 
guage. In  June,  1750,  he  was  invited  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Trenton,  and  other  places  in  New  Jersey,  to  go  and  officiate 
among  them,  whereupon  he  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Venerable 
Society,  from  which  we  extract  the  following : — 

MR.  HOUDIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 
"  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  Nov.  1st,  1750. 
Rev.  Sir, 
Having   my  residence  at  New- York,  I  heard  of  repeated 
complaints  made  by  gentlemen  and  principal  inhabitants  of  this 
place,  Allen's  Town,  and  Borden's  Town,  it  being  for  many 
years  past,  destitute  of  a  Church  of  England  minister,  and 
without  any  sort  of  application  of  mine,  about  five  months  ago 
some  of   them  were  pleased  to  press  me  by  letter,  to  come 
amongst  them.     I  being  then  conscious  to  myself,  that  I  had  no 
license  from  the  Lord  Bishop,  or  sanction  from  the  Society,  I 
deliberated  some  time  till  I  had  consulted  several  gentlemen  of 


Oswego,  and  that  he  learnt  from  him  that  the  French  intended  to  attack  Oswego 
with  800  men,  as  soon  as  the  provision  ships  from  France  should  arrive,  the  French 
having  a  great  desire  of  being  masters  of  that  place.  On  the  11th  of  August,  1744, 
his  Excellency  acquainted  the  same  Body  : — that  he  had  received  several  letters  from 
Monsieur  Houden,  complaining  as  his  circumstances  are  very  low,  and  he  was  by 
his  Excellency's  order  oblidged  to  live  at  Jamacia,  where  he  can  do  nothiDg  to  ge't 
his  living,  that  his  wife  and  himself  must  soon  come  to  want,  unless  his  Excellency 
will  be  pleased  to  take  him  into  consideration,  and  therefore  praying  he  may  have 
leave  to  come  with  his  wife,  and  live  in  town,  and  thereupon  his  Excellency  required 
the  opinion  of  the  Board.  «  As  to  Michael  Houden,  the  Council  are  of  opinion  to 
advise  his  Excellency,  to  give  him  leave  to  come  to  town,  on  his  taking  the  oath  of 
allegiance."  ' — Council  Minutes,  xix.  292,  and  xix.  273,  276.  In  the  Lisle  Ckronol- 
ogique  of  the  Clergy  of  Canada,  we  find  the  name  of  Potentien  Houdin,  a  Recol- 
lect, who  is  recorded  as  having  left  that  country  in  1748. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  455 

the  clergy  in  New- York,  the  Governour,  and  others,  who  unani- 
mously advised  me  to  go  over  to  them,  and  hear  their  propo- 
sals. When  I  waited  on  them  I  really  found  they  were  desti- 
tute indeed,  there  not  being  a  minister  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land nearer  than  Burlington."1 

To  this  may  be  added  the  following,  from  the  Society's  ab- 
stracts for  1753 : — "  The  Rev.  Mr.  Houdin,  having  for  some 
years  officiated  at  Trenton  and  the  neighbouring  places  in  the 
Province  of  New  Jersey,  among  the  members  of  the  Church  of 
England,  upon  such  slender  support  as  they,  in  their  poor  cir- 
cumstances would  afford  him,  with  the  addition  of  one  gratuity 
of  £30  from  the  Society ;  they  have  lately  thought  fit,  upon 
the  especial  recommendation  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barclay,  rector  of 
Trinity  Church  in  the  city  of  New- York,  and  of  other  worthy 
persons,  bearing  witness  to  Mr.  Houdin's  merit  and  diligence  in 
the  pastoral  office,  to  appoint  him  their  itinerant  missionary 
to  officiate  in  Trenton,  and  in  the  parts  adjacent.  Mr.  Houdin 
is  a  converted  priest  from  Popery,  formerly  superiour  of  a  con- 
vent in  Canada,  and  from  his  letters  of  orders,  it  appears  he 
was  ordained  priest  by  the  archbishop  of  Treves  on  Easter 
day,  1730,  and  on  Easter  day,  1747,  he  made  a  publick  renun- 
ciation of  the  errors  of  the  Church  of  Rome,-  received  the  holy 
communion  according  to  the  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England, 
in  the  city  of  New- York,  and  he  afterwards  took  the  oaths  of 
allegiance,  and  subscribed  the  39  articles  of  our  Church :  and 
after  having  made  himself  a  tolerable  master  of  the  English 
language,  he  began  to  officiate  in  it  and  hath  behaved,  accord- 
ing to  full  testimonials,  as  it  becometh  a  good  christian  and  a 
good  clergyman,  and  by  his  letters  of  thanks  to  the  Society, 
dated  Trenton,  Nov.  4th,  1753,  it  appears  that  he  is  usefully, 
and  to  very  good  purposes  employed,  he  having  baptized  from 
the  13th  of  December  preceding,  forty-five  children  and  five 
adults,  after  proper  instruction;  and  at  Annwell,  a  town  within 
his  mission,  above  two  hundred  Presbyterians  and  some  fami- 


■  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  (Hawks.) 


456  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

lies  of  Anabaptists,  during  the  last  summer,  joined  with  the 
members  of  the  Church  of  England  in  the  publick  worship  of 
God,  and  many  of  them  observing  the  peace  and  charity 
among  our  congregations,  and  the  troubles  and  dissentions 
among  others,  contributed  towards  the  finishing  of  the  Church, 
which,  at  the  date  of  Mr.  Houdin's  letter,  he  blesses  God,  was 
then  quite  done."  a 

In  the  year  1759  Mr.  Houdin  accompanied  the  celebrated 
General  Wolfe  in  his  expedition  against  Quebec  as  a  guide, 
which  appears  from  the  subjoined  extract : — b 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Houdin,  the  Society's  itinerant  missionary  in 
New  Jersey,  intreats  the  Society  in  his  letter,  dated  Quebeck, 
October  23d,  1750,  that  his  absence  from  his  mission  may  not 
bring  him  under  their  displeasure,  as  he  was  in  some  measure 
forced  to  it  in  obedience  to  the  commands  of  Lord  Loudon,  and 
other  succeeding  commanders,  who  depended  much  on  his  be- 
ing well  acquainted  with  that  country.  And  after  the  reduction 
of  Quebeck,  he  asked  leave  to  return  to  his  mission,  but  General 
Murray  ordered  him  to  stay,  telling  him  that  there  was  no  other 
person  could  be  depended  on  for  intelligence  of  the  French  pro- 
ceedings, and  promised  to  acquaint  the  Society  therewith."  Mr. 
Houdin  adds,  "  that  he  himself,  as  well  as  the  publick,  hath  receiv- 
ed a  great  loss  by  the  death  of  the  brave  General  Wolfe,c  who 
promised  to  remember  his  labour  and  services,  which  are  not  so 
well  known  to  General  Murray,  but  he  hopes  the  Society  will 
take  these  things  into  consideration,  and  continue  their  kind- 
ness to  him,  and  he  will  return  to  his  mission  in  the  spring."*1 

Dr.  Barclay,   writing  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  So- 


*  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  for  1753. 

b  The  Rev.  Michael  Houdin  preached  to  the  provincial  troops  destined  for  the  ex- 
pedition against  Canada,  in  St.  Peter's  Church,  Westchester,  from  St.  Matthew,  x 
chap.,  and  part  of  28th  verse,  "  Fear  not  them  which  kill  the  body,  &c." 

•  General  James  Wolfe  fell  on  the  heights  of  Abraham,  in  the  moment  of  victory, 
Sept.  13th,  1759.— Editor. 

d  Printed  Abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc,  15th_Feb.,  1759,  to  15th  Feb.,  1760. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  457 

ciety,  on  the  3d  of  June,  1761,  says  : — «  Messrs  Ogilvie  and 
Houdin  are  still  detained  by  General  Amherst  in  Canada.  I 
shall  take  care  to  forward  your  letters  to  them."  a 

It  appears  from  the  following  notice  in  the  New- York  Post- 
Boy  for  June  the  4th,  1761,  that  whilst  Mr.  Houdin  was  sta- 
tioned at  Quebec,  under  the  command  of  General  Murray,  an 
attempt  was  made  by  the  Vicar-General  of  Canada,  to  seduce 
him  from  his  allegiance,  by  an  offer  of  great  preferment  in  the 
Romish  Church  : — "  We  hear  from  Montreal  that  the  Vicar  Gen- 
eral of  all  Canada,  residing  at  Montreal,  has  wrote  a  pressing 
invitation  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Udang,  the  chaplain  of  a  regiment  at 
Quebec,  to  return  to  the  Romish  religion,  with  a  promise  of  great 
preferment  in  the  Church,  which  Mr.  Udang  put  into  the  hands 
of  General  Murray,  who  sent  it  enclosed  to  General  Gage,  who 
upon  the  receipt  of  it,  sent  a  guard  to  take  the  Vicar-General 
into  custody ;  what  will  be  the  issue  is  not  known." 

Mr.  Houdin  must  have  returned  to  New- York  in  1761,  for 
about  August  of  that  year  he  was  appointed  by  the  Venerable 
Society  to  be  their  missionary  at  New  Rochelle.  With  regard 
to  this  appointment,  the  Society's  abstracts  say  : — "That  the 
French  refugees  are,  according  to  Dr.  Barclay,  a  very  orderly, 
sober,  and  religious  people,  to  whom,  at  their  earnest  request,  he 
had  preached  twice  lately,  and  had  administered  the  holy  com- 
munion, and  was  much  pleased  with  their  devout  behaviour. 
All  this  being  maturely  considered,  the  Society  have  thought 
proper  to  remove  the  Rev.  Mr.  Houdin,  itinerant  missionary, 
whose  chief  residence  was  at  Trenton  in  New  Jersey,  to  the 
mission  at  New  Rochelle,  he  being  a  Frenchman  by  birth,  and 
capable  of  doing  his  duty  to  them  both  in  the  French  and 
English  language,  but  he  is  to  officiate  for  the  most  part  in 
English,  that  being  well  understood  by  much  the  greater  part 
of  the  congregation."b 

The  Rev.  John  Milner,  rector  of  the  parish,  who  arrived 
from  England,  May  13th,  1761,   in  a    letter   to  the  Secretary 


■  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  287.    (Hawks.) 
b  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  for  1761. 


458  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

the  3d  of  October  of  that  year,  says  : — "  he  was  obliged  to  at- 
tend three  churches,  and  till  Mr.  Houdin  came  to  New  Rochelle 
officiated  there  once  a  month." 

It  appears  from  the  following  document,  that  in  appointing 
Mr.  Houdin,  the  Society  had  carefully  stipulated  with  the  peo- 
ple at  New  Rochelle,  that  they  should  not  only  give  him  a 
comfortable  support,  but  immediately  put  the  old  parsonage 
house  in  order  : — 

PETITION  FOR  LEAVE  TO  COLLECT  FUNDS  POR  BUILDING  A 
NEW  MINISTER'S  HOUSE  AT  NEW  ROCHELLE, 

"  To  the  Honourable  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq.,   Lieutenant  Governor  and 
Commander  in  Chief  of  the  Province  of  New- York,  and  Territories  thereon 
depending  in  America,  &c. 
A  Petition  of  Sundry  of  the  Inhabitants  of  New  Rochelle,  belonging  to  the 
Church  of  England. 

Sir, 
The  Society  for  Propogation  of  the  Gospel  in  foreign  Parts  have  Been  so  Charita- 
ble as  to  appoint  Mr.  Houdin,  a  French  Refuge,  a  Gentleman  of  a  good  character, 
Successor  to  their  late  worthy  Missionary  at  New  Rochelle,  the  Reverend  Mr.  Stouppe. 
In  consideration  of  which  particular  regard  they  require  and  Insist  that  the  people  at 
New  Rochelle  should  do  their  utmost  to  make  Mr.  Houdin  a  comfortable  support, 
and  that  they  should  Immediately  put  the  Parsonage  House  in  good  repair.  We  are 
ready  and  willing  to  exert  ourselves  to  the  utmost  according  to  our  Abilities,  But  to 
those  that  are  acquainted  with  the  Circumstances  of  the  people  professing  the  Church 
at  New  Rochelle,  it  will  appear  to  require  the  utmost  exertion  of  our  abilities  to  afford 
that  necessary  support  to  Mr.  Houdin,  that  the  Society  expect  and  require,  and  if 
we  should  be  Obliged  to  raise  four  hundred  pounds,  to  build  a  new  Parsonage  House, 
the  old  being  so  decayed,  that  It  is  thought  by  no  means  worth  Repairing,  especially 
at  this  Burthensome  Time.  We  have  the  greatest  reason  to  fear  that  it  will  be  so  ex- 
tremely heavey,  that  many  will  be  Discouraged,  and  in  that  case  that  Mr.  Houdin 
must  leave  us,  tho'  he  is  the  only  Minister  in  the  place,  and  Indeed  there  are  but  few 
Besides  professors  of  the  Church  of  England  in  the  Place,  and  we  have  reason  to 
hope  that  they  may  be  induced  to  conform,  should  a  worthy  Minister  continue  among 
us.  Upon  those  considerations,  we  beg  your  Honour  will  be  pleased  to  grant  a  Brief, 
through  this  Province,  to  collect  the  aforesaid  sum  of  four  Hundred  Pound,  for 
building  a  new  Parsonage  House,  to  repair  the  Church  In  this  place,  and  your  Petiti- 
tioner   as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  Pray,  &c, 

Barnard  Rynlander,  Peter  Bartine,        Isaac  Guion, 

Jacobus  Bleecker,  James  DeBlez,  Jean  Soulice. 

David  Lespenard,  9 

August  19th,  1761,  read  in  Council  and  granted."a 

a  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y,  vol.  iii.  pp.  954-5. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  459 

During  the  incumbency  •  of  Mr.  Houdin,  Trinity  Church  re- 
ceived its  first  Charter  from  King  George  the  third,  under  which 
the  present  corporation  still  enjoys  its  trust  and  exercises  its 
powers.  The  following  extracts  are  taken  from  the  petition  to 
the  Governor. — 

PETITION  OF  THE  FRENCH  CHURCH  AT  NEW  ROCHELLE. 

"  To  the  Honourable  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq.,  Lieutenant  Governor  and 
Commander  in  chief  of  the  Province  of  New-York,  and  the  Territories  de- 
pending thereon  in  America,  &c. 

In  Council. 
The  Petition  of  the  Subscribers,  Inhabitants  of  the  Township   of  New   Rochel  in 
the  Manor  of  Pelham,  in  the  County  of  Westchester, 
Humbly  Sheweth, 
That  the  petitioners  are  members  of  the  French  Church  at  New  Rochel  aforesaid, 
and  principally,  descendants  from  French  Protestants,  who  fled  from  the  religious 
persecution  in  France  in  the  year  one  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-one,  &c. 

And  the  Petitioners  further  shew  unto  your  Honour,  that  their  said  Church  is  at 
present  greatly  decayed  and  out  of  repair ;  and  their  Minister  or  Pastor  but  indif- 
'erently'provided  for,  &c. 

Your  Petitioner's  therefore  most  humbly  pray,  that  your  Majesty's  Royal  Charter 
confirming  to  them  the  said  Church,  and  the  Lands  and  other  Rights  thereunto  ap- 
pertaining, and  also  creating  and  constituting  them,  and  the  rest  of  the  members  of 
the  said  Church,  a  body  politic  and  Corporate,  &c. 

And  the  Petitioners  as  in  duty  bound,  shall  ever  pray,  &c, 
New  Rochel,  1st  of  Feb.  1762. 

Michael  Houdin,  Minister. 
(signed  by  91  others.) 
12th,  of  May,  1762,  read  in  Council  and  granted."  a 

The  Royal  Charter  granted  in  17G2  was  exemplified  by  His 
Excellency  George  Clinton,  in  1793,  after  the  following  man- 
ner: — 

CHARTER  OF  TRINITY  CHURCH. 

"  The  people  of  the  slate  of  New  York,  by  the  grace  of  God,  free  and  independent : 
To  all  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greeting.  Know  ye,  that  we  having  in- 
spected the  records  remaining  in  our  secretary's  office  do  find  there  recorded,  cer- 
tain letters  patent  in  the  words  and  figures  following,  to  wit :  George  the  Third, 
by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the 
Faith  and  so  forth.    To  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greeting,  whereas, 


a  Doc.  Hist,  of  N.  Y.  vol.  iii.  p.  955. 


460  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

our  loving  subjects  Michael  Houdin,  Jacob  Bleecker,  Jas.  de  Blez,  David  Lisper- 
nard,  Isaac  Guion,  Elias  Guion,  Isaac  Guion  Junior,  Peter  Beriain,  John  Soulice, 
Paul  Secord,  Lidia  Secord,  Jean  Abby,  Jos.  Antuny,  Content  Antuny,  Peter  Bonnett, 
Mary  Bonnett,  Peter  Parquot,  Daniel  Sulis,  Benj.  Seacord,  Abraham  Seacord,  Eliz- 
abeth Parquot,  Jane  Seacord,  Mary  Seacord,-  Peter  Guion,  Abigail  Bleecker,  Judith 
Leconet,  Allida  Guion,  Catherine  Bertain,  Mary  Bertine,  Peter  Bertain,  jun.  Josiah 
Le  Conte,  David  Guion,  Elizabeth  Lispenard,  Judith  Bertain,  Moses  de  St.  Croix, 
Marie  de  Saint  Croix,  Deborah  Foulon,  Mary  Guion,  Marie  Neufville,  Mary 
Stouppe,  Marthe  de  Blez,  Rachel  Guion;  Jan  Nicholle,  Arquez,  Ante  Nicolle, 
Thomas  Guion,  John  Bryan,  Oliver  Besley,  Isaac  Besley,  Cornelia  Besley,  Fred- 
erick King,  Benjamin  Guion,  Esaie  Guion,  Elizabeth  Guion,  Elizabeth  Guion, 
Susanna  Landrin,  Dina  Guion,  Anne  Danielson,  John  Houdin,  Catherine  Hou- 
din, Kitty  Houdin,  Elizabeth  Houdin,  Rutger  Bleecker,  Sarah  Bleecker,  Mary 
Rodman,  Hester  Leconte,  Agnis  Donaldson,  Daniel  Secord,  Francis  Le  Conte, 
Judith  Le  Conte,  Abraham  Guion,  Mary  Angevine,  Esther  Angevine,  Joshua  So- 
ils, Thomas  Steel,  Jane  Contine,  Susanna  Contine,  Jane  Mauraux,  Jonathan 
Seicord,  Esther  Le  Conte,  Sarah  Secord,  James  Pine,  Susannah  Soulis,  Jane 
Guion,  Ester  Soulis,  Magdalene  Soulis,  John  Bonnet,  Mary  Bonnet,  Daniel  Bon- 
net, Mary  Bonnet,  James  Besley,  Edward  Smith  and  James  McCurers,  inhabi- 
tants of  the  township  of  New  Rochelle  in  Westchester  county,  by  the  humble  pe- 
tition presented  to  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esquire,  our 
Lieutenant  Governor  and  Commander-in-chief  of  our  province  of  New  York; 
and  the  territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  in  council  on  the  twelfth  day  of 
May  last  past,  did  set  forth  that  they  the  petitioners  are  members  of  the  French 
church  at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  and  principally  descendants  from  French  Prot- 
estants, who  fled  from  the  religious  prosecution  in  France, -in  the  year  one  thou- 
sand six  hundred  and  eighty-one,  and  shortly  thereafter  settled  a  tract  of  six  thou- 
sand acres  of  land,  now  known  by  the  name  of  the  township  of  New  Rochelle, 
which  was  granted  to  Jacob  Leisler,  from  whom  the  petitioners'  said  ancestors 
purchased  by  John  Pell,  then  proprietor  of  the  manor  of  Pelham,  in  the  year  one 
thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-nine.  That  the  said  John  Pell  at  the  same  time, 
did  also  give  and  grant  to  the  said  Jacob  Leisler,  the  further  quantity  of  one  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  for  the  use  of  the  French  church  erected  or  to  be  erected  by 
the  inhabitants  of  the  said  tract  of  land  or  township,  or  by  their  assigns ;  that 
the  petitioners'  ancestors  had  long  since  built  a  decent  church  within  the  said 
township,  and  dedicated  the  same  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  and  that  they 
and  the  petitioners  had  enjoyed  the  same  with  the  said  tract  of  one  hundred  acres 
land,  as  a  glebe  therto  to  that  day. 

That  on  the  twelfth  day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  the  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  nine,  all  the  then  inhabitants  of  the  said  township  who  were  mem- 
bers of  the  said  French  Church,  excepting  two,  unanimously  agreed'  and 
consented  to  conform  themselves,  in  the  religious  worship  of  their  said 
Church  to  the  liturgy  and  rites  of  the  Church  of  England  as  establish- 
law,  and  by  a  solemn  act  or  agreement  did  submit  to,'  and  put 
themselves  under  the  protection  of  the  same  ;  that  fourteen  years  before,  and 
ever  since  such  conlormity,  their  respective  ministers  and  pastors  have  been  in- 
vested with  holy  orders  by  episcopal  ordination,  and  had  received  their  principal 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  461 

support  from  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts  ;  and  that 
divine  service,  since  the  said  conformity,  had  constantly  been  performed  in  their 
said  church,  agreeable  to  the  rites  and  liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law 
established— two  Sundays  out  of  three  in  the  French  tongue,  and  every  third  Sun- 
day in  English— for  the  instruction  of  such  of  the  inhabitants   as  frequented  the 
said  church  and  were  ignorant  of  the  French  language ;  and  the  petitioners  did 
further  set  forth,  that  their  said  church  was  then  greatly  decayed  and  out  of  re- 
pair and  their  minister  or  pastor  but  indifferently  provided  for  ;  and  that,  although 
they  were  sincerely  disposed  to  make  a  suitable  provision  for  both,  yet  they  could 
not  accomplish  this  good  design,  unless,  by  being  incorporated,  they  should  become 
enabled  to  receive,  apply,  and  improve  the  donations  and  contributions  that  might 
be  collected  among  themselves,  and  given  for  these  purposes  by  other  pious  and 
charitable  people.    The  petitioners,  therefore,  most  humbly  prayed  our  royal  char- 
ter, confirming  to  them  the  said  church  and  the  lands  and  other  righta  thereunto 
appertaining,  and  also  creating  and  constituting  them  and  the  rest  of  the  members 
of  the  said  church  a  body  politic  and  corporate  for  the  managing  and  conducting 
the  affairs  and  interests  of  the  said  church,  with  such  powers,  privileges  and  im- 
munities as  should  appear  fit  and  reasonable  :    which  petition  having  been  then 
and  there  read  and  c  onsidered  of,  our  said  Council  did  afterwards,  on  the   same 
day,  humbly  advise  our  said  lieutenant  governor  andcommander-in-cheif  to  grant 
the  prayer  thereof.    Wherefore  we  being  graciously  disposed  to  encourage  and 
promote  the  pious  intentions  of  our  said  subjects,  and  to  grant  this  their  reasona- 
ble request,  Know  Ye,  that  we  of  our  especial  grace,  certain  knowledge,  and  mere 
motion,  have  made,  ordained,  constituted,   granted  and  declared,  and  by  these 
presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  do  make,  ordain,   constitute,  grant  and 
declare,  that  the  said  petitioners  and  the  rest  of  the  members  in  communion  with 
the  said  French  church  at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  being  the  most  ancient  French 
church  now  there,  and  known  by  the  name  of  Trinity  Church,  be,  and  their  suc- 
cessors,  the  minister  and  members  in  communion  with  the  said  French   church 
at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid  for  that  time,  shall  be,  from  time  to  time,  and  at,  all 
times  forever  hereafter,  a  body  politic  and  corporate  in  deed,  fact  and  name,  by 
the  name  and  style  of  the  Minister  and  Members  of  Trinity  Church  at  New  Ro- 
chelle,   in  the  county  of  Westchester,  and  them  and  their  successors,  the  minister 
and  members  in  communion  with  the  said  church  at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  for 
the  time  being  by  the  name  of  the  Minister  and  Members  of  Trinity  Church  at 
New  Rochelle,  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  one  body  politic  and  corporate  in 
deed,  fact  and  name,  really  and  fully,  we  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  erect, 
make,  constitute,  declare  and  create  by  these    presents,   and  that,  by  the  same 
name,  they  and  their  successors,  the  minister  and  members  in  communion  with 
the  said  church  at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  for  the  time  being  shall   and  may 
have  perpetual  succession,  and  shall  and  may  be  responsible  and  capable  in  the 
law  to  sue  and  be  sued,  to  implead  and  be  impleaded,  to  answer  and  be  answered 
unto  and  to  defend  and  be  defended,  in  all  courts  and  elsewhere,  in  all  and  singu- 
lar suits,  causes,  quarrels,  matters,  actions,  demands  and  things  of  what  nature 
and  kind  soever;    and  also,  that  they  and  their  successors  by  the  same  name  be 
and  shall  be  forever  hereafter  capable  and  able,  in  the  law,  to  take,  except  of,  and 


462  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

acquire  and  purchase,  receive,  have,  hold  and  enjoy  in  fee,  forever  or  for  life  or 
lives,  or  for  years,  or  in  any  other  manner,  any  messuages,  buildings,  houses, 
lands,  tenements,  hereditaments  and  real  estate,  and  the  same  to  lease  or  demise 
for  one  or  more  years,  or  for  life  or  lives,  or  to  grant,  alien,  bargain,  sell  and  dis- 
pose of  in  fee  simple,  and  also  to  accept  of,  take,  purchase  and  possess  any  goods, 
chattels  or  personal  estate,  and  the  same  to  have,  let,  sell  or  dispose  of  at  their 
will  and  pleasure,  and  all  this  as  fully  as  any  other  corporation  or  body  politic 
within  that  part  of  our  kidgdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England,  or  in  our  prov- 
ince of  New  York,  may  lawfully  do,  provided  that  such  messuages  and  real  estate 
as  they  for  their  successors  shall  have  or  may  be  entitled  unto,  shall  not  at  any 
one  time  exceed  the  yearly  rent  of  five  hundred  pounds  over  and  above  the  said 
church  and  the  ground  on  which  the  same  stands  ;  and,  further,  we  do  will  and 
ordain,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  declare  and  ap- 
point, that  for  the  better  ordaining  and  managing  the  business  and  affairs  of  the 
said  corporation,  there  shall  be  one  minister  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law 
established,  duly  qualified  for  the  care  of  souls,  two  churchwardens  aDd  six  ves- 
trymen, from  time  to  time  constituted,  elected,  and  chosen  for  the  said  church 
in  manner  and  form  as  is  hereafter  in  these  presents  expressed ;  which  minister 
and  churchwardens,  or  any  two  of  them,  together  with  the  vestrymen,  or  the 
major  part  of  them,  for  the  time  being  shall  have,  and  are  hereby  invested  with 
full  power  and  authority  to  dispose,  order  and  govern  the  business  and  affairs  of, 
and  concerning  the  said  church,  and  all  such  lands,  tenements,  hereditaments, 
real  and  personal  estate  as  shall  or  may  be  purchased  or  acquired  for  the  use  there- 
of as  aforesaid ;  and  further,  we  do  will  and  grant,  that  ^the  said  minister  and 
members  of  Trinity  Church  at  New  Rochelle,  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  and 
their  successors,  shall  and  may  forever  hereafter  have  a  common  seal  to  serve  and 
use,  for  all  matters,  causes  and  affairs  whatsoever  of  them  and  their  successors, 
and  full  power  and  authority  to  break,  alter,  change  and  new  make  the  same,  or 
any  other  common  seal,  from  time  to  time,  at  their  will  and  pleasure,  as  they 
shall  think  fit ;  and  for  the  better  execution  of  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  herein, 
we  do  assign,  constitute  and  appoint  the  said  Jacob  Bleecker  and  James  de  Blez, 
to  be  the  present  church  wardens,  and  the  said  David  Lispenard,  Isaac  Guion, 
Elias  Guion,  Isaac  Guion,  junior,  Peter  Bertain  and  John  Soulice,  to  be  the  pres- 
ent vestrymen  of  the  said  church, — to  hold  and  enjoy  their  several  offices  until 
the  first  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  next  ensuing  and  no  longer.  And  further  our 
will  and  pleasure  is  and  we  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  establish,  appoint 
and  direct,  that  on  the  said  first  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  next  ensuing,  and  once 
in  every  year  forever  thereafter  on  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  in  every  year,  at  the 
said  church,  the  members  in  communion  with  the  same  church  for  the  time  be- 
ing or  the  major  part  of  them,  then  and  there  assembled,  shall  elect,  choose,  and 
appoint  two  of  their  members  to  be  churchwardens  and  six  other  of  their  mem- 
bers to  be  vestrymen  of  their  said  church  for  the  ensuing  year,  which  churchwar. 
dens  and  vestrymen,  so  to  be  chosen  and  appointed,  shall  immediately  en. 
ter  upon  their  respective  offices,  and  hold  and  exercise  the  same  for  and 
during  the  term  of  one  whole  year  from  the  time  of  such  election  re- 
spectively, and  until  other  fit  persons  shall  be  elected  in  their  respective  pla- 


AND  CHUECH  OP  NEW  EOCHELLE.  463 

ces.  And  we  do  ordain  and  declare  that  as  well  the  churchwardens  and  vestry- 
men by  these  presents  nominated  and  constituted,  as  such  as  shall  from  time  to 
time  hereafter  be  elected  and  appointed,  shall  have,  and  they  are  hereby  invested 
with  full  power  and  authority  to  execute  and  perform  their  several  and  respective 
offices,  in  as  full  and  ample  manner  as  any  churchwardens  or  vestrymen  in  that 
part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England,  or  in  our  province  of  New 
York,  have  or  lawfully  may  or  can  do,  and  if  it  shall  happen  that  any  or  either  of 
the  churchwardens  or  vestrymen  by  these  presents  named  and  appointed 
or  hereafter  to  be  elected  and  chosen,  shall  die  or  remove,  or  refuse 
or  neglect  to  officiate  in  the  said  respective  offices  before  their  or  either  of 
their  appointed  time  of  service  therein  be  expired,  then  and  in  every  such  case  it 
shall  and  may  be  lawful  to  and  for  the  said  minister  and  members  in  communion 
with  said  church  at  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  for  the  time  being,  or  the  major  part 
of  such  of  them  as  shall  assemble  together  for  that  purpose  at  the  said  church,  at 
some  day  within  a  month  next  after  such  death,  removal,  refusal  or  neglect,  to  be 
appointed  by  the  minister  and  churchwardens  for  the  time  being,  or  any  two  of 
them,  to  proceed  in  manner  aforesaid,  and  make  a  new  election  and  appointment 
of  one  or  more  of  their  members  for  the  time  being,  to  supply  the  room  or  place 
of  such  person  or  persons  so  dying,  removing,  refusing  or  neglecting  to  act  in  his 
and  their  respective  office  and  offices  as  aforesaid,  and  so  as  often  as  shall  be 
needful  and  requisite.  And  for  the  due  and  orderly  conducting  and  carryin0-  on 
the  respective  election  of  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  by  these  presents  estab- 
lished and  ordained,  our  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  We  do  declare  and  direct  that 
the  minister  of  the  said  church  for  the  lime  being,  shall  give  public  notice  there- 
of from  time  to  time,  as  they  may  become  necessary,  and  are  hereby  appointed 
by  publishing  the  same  at  the  said  church  immediately  after  divine  service  on  the 
Sunday  next  preceeding  the  day  appointed  for  such  elections.  And  furthermore 
We  do  will,  and  by  these  presents  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  ordain,  appoint 
and  direct  that  the  minister  and  churchwardens  of  the  said  church  for  the  time 
being,  or  any  two  of  them,  shall  and  may  from  time  to  time,  upon  all  occasions 
assemble  and  call  together  the  said  minister,  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  for 
the  time  being,  or  the  greater  number  of  them,  the  said  vestrymen ;  which  said 
minister  and  churchwardens,  or  any  two  of  them,  together  with  the  said  vestry- 
men, or  the  major  part  of  them,  shall  be  and  by  these  presents  are  authorized  and 
empowered  to  consult,  advise  and  consider,  and  by  a  majority  of  voices  to  do,  di- 
rect, manage,  transact  and  carry  on  the  interests,  business  and  affairs  of  the 
said  church,  and  to  hold  vestries  for  that  purpose.  And  We  do  further  give  and 
grant  unto  the  said  minister  and  members  of  Trinity  Church  at  New  Rochelle  in 
the  county  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  and  to  their  successors  forever,  that  the  min- 
ister and  churchwardens  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  any  two  of 
them,  together  with  the  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  the 
major  part  of  them  in  vestry  assembled,  shall  have  full  power  and  authority  from 
time  to  time,  and  at  all  times  hereafter,  to  make,  ordain  and  constitute  such  rules, 
orders  and  ordinances  for  the  good  discipline  and  government  of  the  members  of 
said  church  and  corporation  and  interests  thereof,  as  they,  or  the  major  part  of 
them,  shall  think  fit  and  necessary,  so  as  such  rules,  orders  and  ordinances  be  not 


464  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

repugnant  to  the  laws  of  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England, 
or  our  province  of  New  York,  or  the  present  or  future  canons  of  the    Church 
of  England,  as  by  law  established,  but  as  near  as  may  be  agreeable  thereto,  which 
rules,  orders  and  ordinances  shall  be  from  time  to  time  fairly  entered  in  a  book  or 
books  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose.     And  further  our  will   and  pleasure  is  that  it 
shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  minister  and  churchwardens  of  the    said  church 
or  any  two  of  them,  and  the  said  vestrymen,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  at  a  vestry 
to  nominate  and  appoint  a  clerk  and  a  sexton  or  bell-ringer  for  the  said  church) 
and  also  a  clerk  and  messenger  to  serve  the  said  vestry  at  their  meetings,  and  such 
other  under  officers   as   they   shall  stand  in  need  of,    to  remain    in   their  re- 
spective  offices,   so  long   as  the  said  minister,  churchwardens   and  vestrymen 
for  the  time  being,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  shall  think  fit  and  appoint.     And 
further  We  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  declare  and  grant  that  the  patronage, 
advowson,  donation  or  presentation  of  and  to  the  said  church  shall  appertain  and 
belong  to,  and  is  hereby  vested  in  the  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  said 
church  for  the  time  being,  and  their  successors  for  ever  or  the  major  part  of  them, 
whereof  one  churchwarden  shall  always  be  one  ;  provided  always,  that  whenever 
the  said  church  becomes  vacant,  such  donation  and  presentation  shall  be  made 
within  six  months  thereafter.    And  that  on  every  lapse  or  default  herein,  the  right 
of  such  donation  and  representation  shall  be  in  us  our  heirs  and  successors ;  and 
further  know  ye,  that  we  of  our  especial  grace,  certain  knowledge,  and  mere  mo- 
tion, have  given,  granted,  ratified  and  confirmed,  and  by  these  presents  do  for  us, 
our  heirs  and  successors,  give,  grant,  ratify  and  confirm  unto  the  said  minister  and 
members  of  Trinity  Church  at  New  Rochelle,  in  the  county  of  Westchester  afore- 
said, and  their  successors  for  ever,  all  that  the  said  church  and  ground  on  which  the 
same  stands,  and  the  cemetery  belonging  to  the  same,  and  also  all  that  the  before 
mentioned  tract  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  situated  and  being  within  the  township 
of  New  Rochelle  aforesaid,  so  by  the  beforementioned  John  Pell,  formerly  given  and 
granted  to  the  aforesaid  Jacob  Leisler,  for  the  use  of  the  French  Church  erected,  or 
then  to  be  erected  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  township  of  New  Rochelle,  or  by  their 
assigns   as  hereinbefore  is  recited  and  set  forth,  together  with  the  hereditaments  and 
appurtenances  to  the  same  belonging  or  appertaining,  to  have  and  to  hold  all  and 
singular  the  premises  aforesaid,  with  the  appurtenances  unto  them,  the  said  Minister 
and  members  of  Trinity  Church  at  New  Rochelle,  in  the  county  of  Weschester 
aforesaid,  and  their  successors,  to  their  only  proper  use  and  behoof  forever,  to  be  hold- 
en  of  us,  our  heirs  aud  successors,  in  free  and  common  soceage,  as  of  our  manor  of 
East  Greenwich  in  the  county  of  Kent,  within  that  part  of  our  Kingdom  of  Great 
Britain,  called  England,  yielding,  rendering,  and  paying  therefor  unto  us,  our  heirs 
and  successors,  yearly  and  every  year  forever,  on  the  feast  day  of  the  Annunciation 
of  the  blessed  Virgin  Mary,  at  our  City  of  New  York,  unto  our  or  their  Reciever- 
General  there,  for  the  time  being,  the  annual  rent  of  one  peppercorn,  if  demanded, 
in  lieu  aud  stead  of  all  other  rents,  dues,  duties,  services,  claims,  and  demands  what, 
soever,  for  the  premises.     And  lastly,  we  do,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  ordain 
and  grant  unto  the  said  minister  and  members  of  Trinity  Church  at  New  Rochelle 
iu  the  county  of  Westchester  aforesaid,  and  their  successors,  by  these  presents  that 
this  our  grant  shall  be  firm,  good,  effectual  and  available  in  all  things  in  the  law,  to 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  465 

all  intents,  constructions  and  purposes  whatsoever,  according  to  our  true  intent  and 
meaning  herein  before  declared,  and  shall  be  construed,  reputed  and  adjudged  in  all 
cases  and  causes  most  favorably  on  the  behalf  and  for  the  best  benefit  aud  advantage 
of  the  said  minister  and  members  of  Trinity  Church  at  New  Rochelle  in  the  county 
of  Westchester  aforesaid,  and  their  successors,  although  express  mention  of  the 
yearly  value,  or  certainty  of  the  premises  or  any  of  them,  in  these  presents  is  cr  are 
not  made  any  matter,  cause  or  thing  to  the  contrary  thereof  in  anywise  notwith- 
standing. In  testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made  patent, 
and  the  great  seal  of  our  said  Province  of  New  York  to  be  affixed,  and  Jhe  same  to 
be  entered  on  record,  in  our  Secretary's  Office  of  our  said  Province,  in  one  of  the 
books  of  patents  there  remaining.  Witness  our  said  trusty  and  well  beloved  Cad- 
wallader  Colden,  Esquire,  our  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Commander-in-chief  of  our 
Province  of  New  York,  and  the  territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  at  our 
Fort  George  in  our  City  of  New  York,  the  second  day  of  June,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  one  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  Sixty- two,  and  of  our  reign  the  second. — 
All  of  which  we  have  exemplified  by  these  presents.  In  testimony  whereof  we  have 
caused  these  our  letters  to  be  made  patent  aud  the  great  seal  of  our  said  State  to  be 
hereunto  affixed.  Witness  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  George  Clinton,  Esquire 
Governor  of  our  said  State,  General  and  Commander-in-chief  of  all  the  militia  and 
admiral  of  the  navy  of  the  same,  at  our  City  of  New  York,  the  fourteenth  day  of 
February,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  ninety -three, 
and  in  the  seventeenth  year  of  our  independence."' 

The  subjoined  letter  of  Mr.  Houdin  to  the  Secretary,  shows 
the  unlawful  method  taken  by  the  Calvanists  to  obtain  posses- 
sion of  the  Church  glebe  : — 

MR.  HOUDIN  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  New  Rochelle,  Oct.  10th,  1763. 
Rev'd  Sir, 
I  received  your  kind  letter  some  time  last  summer,  in  which  you 
acquaint  me  the  Venerable  Society  is  desirous  to  be  acquainted 
with  our  troubles.  To  give  you  a  true  account  I  must  come 
up  to  the  first  establishment  of  New  Rochelle.  One  Jacob 
Leisler  made  a  purchase  of  John  Pell  for  the  French  Refugees 
of  a  tract  of  land  (called  since,  New  Rochelle)  of  6000  acres  of 
land,  and  in  the  said  deed  it  is  said  that  John  Pell  and  Rachel 
his  wife,  do  also  give  one  hundred  acres  of  land  more  for  a 
French  Church  erected  or  to  be  erected,  by  the  inhabitants 
of   the  said  tract  of   land  or  their  assigns.      Tho   French 


•  Hist,  of  Westchester  County,  vol.  ii.  p,  413. 

30 


466  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Refugees  took  possession  of  these  100  acres  of  land  from  the 
beginning  and  did  possess  the  same  until  the  year  1709,  the 
time  when  upon  the  representation  of  their  minister,  the  whole 
Congregation,  excepting  two  or  three  families,  conformed  to  the 
Church  of  England,  and  kept  from  that  time  possession  of  the 
church  and  land  until  my  coming  here,  when  they  made  appear 
a  deed,  given  by  the  son  of  Jacob  Leisler,  in  which  the  two  op- 
ponents to  the  conformity  of  the  Church  are  made  trustees  of 
the  land,  and  Mr.  Pell's  deed  altered  in  such  a  manner,  for  a 
French  church  who  shall  perform  Divine  service  according  to 
the  French  Calvanists  of  the  old  French,  and  that  deed  bearing 
date  four  months  after  the  conformity  of  our  Church;  and  up- 
on such  title,  the  Calvanists  at  my  arrival  here  debauched  our 
tenants,  who  took  leases  under  them,  and  by  that  keep  us  out  of 
our  possession.      Upon  which  the  churchwardens  applied  to  a 
lawyer  for  advice,  and  upon  mature  consideration  it  was  found 
that  John  Pell  who  had  given  the  land  for  a  French  church, 
erected  or  to  be  erected  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  tract  of 
land  or  their   assigns,  had  never  divested  himself  of  the  legal 
right  of  the  said  100   acres  of  land.    These  considered,  our 
churchwardens  applied  to  the  Executors  of  the  heir  at  law  of 
said  Pell,  who  have  released  all  the  right  of  Pell  to  the  church 
for  £100,  the  executors  having  power  to  sell  by  the  will  of  the 
present  heir's  father.     With  this  title,  joined  to  fifty-three  years 
possession,  our  churchwardens  did  serve  three  ejectments  up- 
on the  three  tenants,  and  the  Calvanists  entered  defendants, 
and  on  the  15th  day  of  September  last  we  had  a  trial  at  the  Su- 
preme Court,  when  the  Jury  brought  their  verdict  in  favor  of 
our  Church,  upon  which  the  attorneys  of  the  Calvanists  party 
offered  a  bill  of  exception  :  so  that  we  must  wait  the  issue  of 
said  bill  at  the  Supreme  Court  at  New- York,  to  be  held  the  18th 
day  of  this  inst.  We  have  to  deal  with  very  stubborn  and  litigious 
people,  which  make  me  afraid  they  will  not  be  contented  before 
they  have  brought  us  before  all  the  different  tribunals,  and  by 
that  means  deprive  me  of  all  the  benefits  of  the  land,  which 
causes  me  a  great  prejudice.     The  congregation  is  very  unan- 
imous and  in  good  harmony,  ready  to  defend  their  right  to  the 


AND  CHURCH  OP  NEW  ROCHELLE.  467 

last,  seeing  the  Calvanists  will  not  agree  upon  any  terms  of 
peace  proposed  to  them  by  our  Church,  but  we  are  in  hope  the 
strong  bleeding  of  their  purse  will  bring  them  to  an  agreement 
after  New- York  Court. 

Reverend  Sir,  yours,  &c, 


Cwi'cAcLc/    St/Wc^' 


/  S-J   a 

The  release,  alluded  to  in  the  above  letter,  was  given  on  the 
2nd  of  February,  1763,  and  is  as  follows  : — 

RELEASE  OF  CHURCH  GLEBE,  FROM  EXECUTORS  OF  JOSEPH  PELL 
TO  DAVID  GUION. 

"  This  Indenture,  made  the  second  day  of  February,  in  the  third  year  of  the 
reign  of  our  Sovereign  Lord,  King  George  the  Third,  Annoqs  Dom.  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  sixty- three,  between  Phebe  Pell,  widow,  and  Samuel  Sneden  and 
Jacobus  Bleecker  Esqs.,  all  of  the  County  of  Westchester,  Executors,  with  power 
to  sell  of  the  last  will  and  testament  of  Joseph  Pell  Esqr.,  late  of  the  manor  of  Pel- 
ham,  in  the  County  of   Westchester  aforesaid,  deceased,  of  the  one  part,  and  Da- 
vid Guion  of  New  Rochelle  in   the  said  County  of  Westchester,  ou  the  other  part. 
WnEREAS,  John  Pell,  formerly  proprietor  of  the  said  Manor  of  Pelham  was  seized  in 
fee  of  six  thousand  one  hundred  acres  of  land,  part  of  the  said  Manor  of  Pelham, 
and  being  so  seized  did  sell  the  said  six  thousand  acres  of  land  to  one  Jacob  Leisler, 
and  did  set  apart  the  said  remaining  one  hundred  acres  of  land  for  the  use  of  the 
French  Church,   erected  or  to  be  erected  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  six  thousand 
acres  called  New  Rochelle.     But  the  said  John  Pell  never  did  dispose  or  divest  him- 
self of  the  legal  estate  and  right  in  and  to  the  said  one  hundred  acres  of  land.     And 
Whereas,  the  said  John  Pell  afterwards  died  intestate  and  left  Thomas  Pell  his  el- 
dest son  and  heir  at  law,  by  means  whereof  the  inheritance  and  legal  right  to  the 
said  one  hundred  acres  of  land  became  vested  in  him,  the  said  Thomas :    And 
Whereas,  the  said  Thomas  Pell  on  the  Third  day  of  September  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand   seven  hundred   and   thirty  nine,  did  in  due  form  of  law  make 
his  last  will  and  testament,  and  therein,  and  thereby,  after  several  specific  legacies, 
and  after  declareing  that  his  other  sons  had  received  their  shares  and  proportions  out 
of  his  estate,  did  give  and  bequeath  unto  his  son  Joseph  Pell,  in  fee  simple,  all   and 
singular  his  land,  meadows,  houses,  tenements,  buildings  and  so  forth,  which  then 
belonged  unto  him,  by  means  whereof  the  legal  right  and  estate  in  and  to  the  said 
one  hundred  acres  of  land  became  vested  in  him  the  said  Joseph  Pell  Juu.     Aptd 
Whereas,  the  said  Joseph  Pell  on  the  thirty  first  day  of  August  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty-two,  did  make  his  last  will  and  testament 


New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  pp.  325,  326.     (Hawks.)  3 


46S  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

and  thereof  did  ordain.and  constitute  his  wife,  the  aforesaid  Phebe  Pell,  and  his  friend 
John  Bartow,  (who  hath  since  legally  renounced  the  same)   and  the  said    Samuel 
Sneden  aud  Jacobus  Bleecker,  parties  to  these  presents   to  be    Executors,    and  did 
thereby  give  and  grant  unto  them  his  full  power,  strength  and  authority  in  and  over 
all  his  goods,  chattels,  lands  and  tenements,  to  take  and  use  all  lawful  ways  for  the 
recovery  and  defence  of  the  same  against  any  encroachments,  depredations,  claims 
or  demands  of  any  person  or  persons  whatsoever,  and  did  likewise  impower  them  if 
there  should  be  any  need  thereof,  to  sell  any  part  of  his  lands  as  to  them  should 
seem  meet  to  enable  them  to  carry  on  any  suite  for  the  defence  of  the  rest.     And 
Whereas,  after  the  decease  of  the  said  Joseph  Pell,  a  certain  fraudulent  deed  was 
so  exhibited  and  set  up,  by  which  one  Caleb  Pell,  a  brother  of  the  said  Joseph,  did 
claim  the  chief  part  of  the  real  estate  of  him  the  said  Joseph  Pell  as  the  gift  of  him 
the  said  Thomas  Pell,  the  father  to  him  the  said  Caleb  Pell.     And  Whereas,  they, 
the  said  executors  of  tho  said  Joseph  Pell,  parties  hereto  of  the  first  part  in  conse- 
quence of  the  said  claim  were  obliged  to  lay  out  and  expend  divers  large  aud  con- 
siderable sums  of  money  to  defend  and  secure  the  estate  of  the    said  Joseph  Pell 
against  the  same,  and  there  still  remains  due  upon  that  account  one  hundred  pounds, 
which  they  have  been  obliged  to  borrow  and  take  up  at  interest,   and  they^  the  said 
parties  of  the  first  part,  in  order  to  discharge  and  satisfy  the  same,  do  find  it  neces- 
sary to  dispose  of  part  of  the  real  estate  of  their  said    testator  and  have  according- 
ly agreed   to  grant   and   release    all   the   right    aud   title   of  their   said  testator  in 
aud  to    the   said  one   hundred   acres   of    land   before   mentioned    and    hereafter 
described  for    the    consideration    thereafter   mentioned    to   him   the    said    David 
Guion.     Now  Therefore  This  Indenture  wituesseth,   that  they  the    said  par- 
ties  of  the  first   part,   in  pursuance  aud  by  virtue  of  the  power  and  authority  in 
them   reposed   and  to  them  given  by  their  testator  for   and  in  consideration  of  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  pounds  current  money  of  the  province  of  New-York,  to  them 
in  hand  paid  by  the  said  David  Guion,  at  or  before  the  ensealing  and  delivery  of 
these  presents,  the  receipt  whereof  they  do  hereby  acknowledge  and  themselves 
therewith  to  be  fully  satisfied,  contented   and  paid  and  thereof    do  acquit,  release 
and  discharge  the  said  David  Guion,  his  executors,    administrators  and  assigns,  by* 
these  presents,  Have  Granted,  Bargained,  Sold,  Aliened,Released  and  Confirm- 
ed, and  by  these  presents  Do  Grant,  Bargain,  Sell,  Alien,  Release  and  Confirm 
unto  the  said  David  Guion  in  his  actual  profession,  now  being  by  virtue  of  a  bargain, 
sale  and  lease  for  one  year  to  him  thereof  made  by  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part, 
by  Indenture  bearing  date  the  day  next  before  the  day  of    the  date  hereof  and  also 
by  force  of  the  statute  made  for  transferring  of  uses  into  possession  and  to  his  heirs 
aud  assigns  for  ever,  All  That  certain  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  situate,  lying  and  be- 
ing in  the  said  township  of  New  Rochelle,  commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name 
of  the  Glebe,  beginning  at  the  Creek  or  salt  water,  thence  runuing  north-westerly 
by  the  road  that  runs  between  the  land  of  Benjamin  Brown  and  the  tract  hereby 
granted  to  the  fresh  meadow.     Westerly  by  the  road  that  runs  along  the  said  mead- 
ow, south-easterly  by  the  land  now   in  the  possession  of  John  Arnaud,  which  wa- 
bought  out  of  the  commons.     Easterly  by  the   Creek  or  Salt  Water,  to  the  place 
where  it   first  began,  containing   one  hundred  acres,  be   the  same  more  or  less. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLK  469 

Together  with  all  and  singular  the  Profits,  Priviliges,  Advantages,  Immoluments, 
Rights,  Members,  Immunities,  Liberties,  Buildings,  Improvements,  Hered- 
itaments and  Appurtenances  whatsoever,  to  the  same  belonging  or  in  anywise 
appertaining.  And  all  the  Estate,  Right  Title,  Profit,  Possession,  Reversion, 
laim  and  Demand  Whatsoever,  which  he,  the  said  Joseph  Pell,  at  the  time 
of  his  death  had,  or  which  they  the  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  by  Virtue  of  his  last 
will  and  testament  have,  of,  in  or  to  the  same.  To  Have  and  to  Hold  the  said 
premises  hereby  granted  or  mentioned,  or  intended  to  be  hereby  granted  unto  the 
said  David  Guion,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  to  the  only  proper  use  and  behoof  of  him 
the  said  David  Guion,  his  heirs  and  assigns  forever,  in  as  full  and  ample  manner  to 
all  intents  and  purposes,  as  he  the  said  Joseph  Pell,  in  his  life  time  held  and  enjoy- 
ed the  same  and  not  otherwise.  In  Witness  Whereof,  the  parties  to  these  presents 
have  hereunto,  interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  seals,   the  day  and  year  first 

above  written. 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of  us, 

Mary  Pell, 

David  Lispenard, 

Phebe  Pell, 

Samuel  Sneden, 

Jacobus  Bleecker."* 

On  the  fourth  day  of  February,  1763,  David  Guion  released 
the  same  to  the  minister  and  members  of  Trinity  Church,  New 
Rochelle,  for  the  sum  of  £100. 

"  Isaac  Guion,  Peter  Flandreau,  Samuel  Gelliott b  and  Mag- 
dalen Stoup,  (sole  executrix  and  heir  of  the  last  will  and  testa- 
ment of  ye  Reverent  Peter  Stoup  of  New  Rochelle,  in  the  Coun- 
ty of  Westchester  and  province  of  New- York,  late  deceased.) 
also  gave  releases  to  the  Church  in  1767."  c 


•  Book  of  Records,  County  Clerk's  Office,  Lib.  H.  pp.  342,  345. 

b  Upon  the  3 1st  of  Oct.  1767,  Peter  Flandreau  and  Samuel  Gelliott,  released  to  the 
ministers  and  members  of  Trinity  Church  at  New  Rochelle,  "  all  that  certain  100 
acres  of  land,  &c,  which  was  given  and  granted  by  John  Pell  and  Rachel  his  wife, 
by  deed  poll  dated  20th  of  September,  1689,  for  the  French  Church,  also  granted  by 
the  said  deed  poll  (excepting  and  reserving  hereout  a  certain  messuage  and  dwelling 
house  wherein  James  Flandreau  now  lives,  and  also  about  two  acres  of  ground  ly- 
ing on  the  east  side  of  the  main  road  in  New  Rochello  town  aforesaid,  which  the 
said  Peter  Flandreau  holds  by  virtue  of  a  title  derived  under  Mrs.  Morin,  and  also 
excepting  hereout  one  acre  of  ground  more,  lying  on  the  west  side  of  the  said  two 
acres  and  adjoining  thereto  and  being  bounded  on  a  creek  and  also  by  a  public  high- 
way leading  from  the  said  creek  and  which  divides  the  aforesaid  100  acres  of 
land  from  the  lands  of  Benjamin  Browne,)  and  of,  in  and  to  all,  &c."  County  Rec- 
ords, Lib.  H.  p.  350. 

•  Co.  Rec.  Lib.  G.  pp.  554,  556.   See  also  Lib.  H.  349. 


470  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

The  old  Church  glebe  was  sold  during  the  years  1800  and 
1804,  and  the  purchase  money  subsequently  loaned  on  the  pres- 
ent parsonage  lands,  &c,  which  fell  to  the  church  by  a  foreclo- 
sure of  the  mortgage  in  Chancery,  A.  D.,  1821. 

The  Rev.  Michael  Houdin  continued  his  labors  here  until  Oc- 
tober, 1766,  when  he  departed  this  life.  He  was  esteemed  a 
worthy  missionary,  of  considerable  learning  and  irreproachable 
morals.  His  remains  were  interred  by  the  side  of  his  prede- 
cessors, Bondet  and  Stouppe,  beneath  the  chancel  of  the  old 
French  church,  but  since  the  removal  of  this  edifice,  the  ashes 
of  these  worthy  and  laborious  missionaries  repose  in  the  high- 
way, without  a  stone  to  mark  the  spot  or  commemorate  their 
worth. 

Mr.  Houdin's  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  his  old  friend 
and  compani  on  in  arms,  the  Rev.  Harry  Munro,  A.  M.,  of  Yon- 
kers,  from  Hosea,  iv  chap,  and  part  of  12th  verse,  "  Prepare  to 
meet  thy  God." 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  letter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Auch- 
muty  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable  Society,  written  a  few 
days  after  Houdin's  death  : — 

"I  beg  the  Society  will  not  think  of  appointing  another  miss- 
ionary to  New  Rochelle  at  present,  the  people  really  do  not 
deserve  one ;  not  one  farthing  did  they  contribute  towards  the 
support  of  the  two  last,  besides  they  are  too  small  a  number  to 
be  indulged  with  a  minister  to  themselves,  and  are  distant  from 
Eastchester  church  only  four  miles,  from  Westchester  five,  from 
Rye  church  five,  and  from  Philipsburgh  church  nine  miles."* 

From  the  death  of  Mr.  Houdin  until  the  period  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary War,  services  were  performed  here  by  the  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Seabury,  rector  of  the  parish.  The  following  extract,  rela- 
ting to  New  Rochelle,  occurs  in  Mr.  Seabury's  first  report  to  the 
Secretary  on  the  25th  of  June,  1767  : — 

"By  the  death  of  Mr.  Houdin,  New  Rochelle  has  fallen  un- 
der my  care  for  the  present ;  I  have  preached  there  several 

•  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.    (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  47l 

times,  and  once  administered  the  communion  to  fifteen  commu- 
nicants. The  congregation  consists  of  near  two  hundred  peo- 
ple, decent  and  well  behaved,  part  English  and  part  French. 
The  French  all  understand  English  tolerably  well ;  and  except 
half  a  dozen  old  people  in  whose  hands  is  the  chief  management 
of  affairs,  full  as  well  as  they  do  French.  The  greatest  part  of 
them  would  prefer  an  English  to  a  French  minister  ;  and  none 
are  warm  for  a  French  one,  but  the  half  dozen  above  mentioned. 
They  had  a  glebe  of  near  one  hundred  acres  of  land  left 
them  formerly,  thirty  acres  of  which  they  have  recovered  ;  the 
rest  is  kept  from  them  under  pretence  that  it  was  given  to  a 
Presbyterian  or  Calvanistic  French  Church.  They  have  also 
a  parsonage  house,  but  whether  these  endowments  are  so  made, 
that  an  English  minister  could  not  enjoy  them,  I  cannot  yet 
learn.  New  Rochelle  is  seven  miles  from  this  place,  three  from 
Eastchester,  eight  from  Rye  and  perhaps  about  that  distance 
from  Philipsburgh.  I  have  been  thus  particular,  that  the  Soci- 
ety may  be  able  to  judge  whether  it  is  expedient  for  them  to  send 
another  missionary  to  New  Rochelle  or  not.  Dr.  Auchmuty  has 
informed  me  that  he  has  wrote  to  the  Society  upon  this  subject, 
and  I  find  it  is  his  opinion  that  a  missionary  is  less  necessary 
there  than  in  many  other  places  where  they  have  none.  If  the 
Society  should  decline  sending  a  missionary  there  I  could  attend 
them  in  summer,  every  other  Sunday,  in  the  morning,  and  be 
at  Eastchester  in  the  afternoon,  and  in  winter  every  fourth  Sun- 
day, and  indeed  these  churches  are  so  near  that  most  of  the  peo- 
ple might  attend  at  either.  I  would  not,  however,  be  under- 
stood as  dissuading  the  Society  from  sending  another  mission- 
ary to  New  Rochelle,  but  only  as  informing  them  in  what 
manner  they  might  be  provided  for  in  case  they  decline  it,  and 
should  the  Society  put  them  immediately  under  my  care  I  should 
very  readily  submit  to  their  consideration  what  allowance  should 
be  made  me  on  that  account."  a 

•  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  429.     (Hawks.) 


472  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

The  next  year  he  again  writes  as  follows  : — 

MR.  SEABURY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 
(Extract.) 

"  Westchester,  Oct.  1st,  1768. 
Rev.  Sir, 

I  am  sorry  the  people  of  New  Rochelle  have  deservedly  fal- 
len under  the  censure  of  the  Society.  They  seem  to  keep 
things  too  much  in  the  dark  with  regard  to  their  glebe ;  but  as 
soon  as  I  can  get  such  an  account  of  that  matter  as  shall  enable 
me  to  write  intelligibly  to  the  Society  about  it,  I  will  lay  it  be- 
fore them.  In  the  mean  time  as  there  is  a  number  of  strolling 
teachers,  especially  of  the  sect  of  Anabaptists,  who  ramble 
through  the  country,  preaching  at  private  houses  for  the  sake  of 
making  proselytes  and  collecting  money,  I  have  thought  it  best 
to  visit  them  occasionally,  as  well  to  prevent  any  ill  effects  that 
might  arise,  as  for  the  sake  of  a  number  of  well  disposed  peo- 
ple who  live  there.  I  shall,  however,  carefully  attend  to  the 
caution  you  give  not  to  neglect  my  particular  cure  of  East  and 
Westchester."* 

During  the  American  Revolution  the  church  must  have  been 
closed,  for  the  congregation  was  much  scattered. 

Shortly  after  the  treaty  of  peace  the  parish  was  organized 
under  Mr.  Andrew  Fowler,  (afterwards  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fow- 
ler,) who  read  prayers  and  sermons  from  1781  until  1786,  and  at 
the  same  time  had  the  charge  of  a  school  in  this  place.  Mr. 
Fowler  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Bartow,  as  a  lay  reader,  who 
continued  his  services  in  this  capacity  until  he  received  holy  or- 
ders. 

THE  REV.  THEODOSIUS  BARTOW, 

The  first  rector  of  this  parish,  was  the  son  of  Theodosius  Bartow, 
second  son  of  the  Rev.  John  Bartow,  first  rector  of  the  parish 

•  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  452.     (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  473 

of  Westchester,  and  by  his  mother  Bathsheba  Pell,  a  lineal  de- 
scendant of  John  Pell,  second  proprietor  of  the  Manor  of  Pelham. 
He  was  born  at  Westchester,  in  this  County,  A.  D.,  1747,  where 
he  received  his  early  education.  In  1786,  as  we  have  seen,  he 
succeeded  Mr.  Fowler  as  a  lay-reader.  In  1788,  at  a  Conven- 
tion of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  State  of  New- 
York,  held  in  the  city  of  New- York,  on  Wednesday,  November 
5th,  1788,  it  was  resolved, — "That  the  thanks  of  the  Con- 
vention be  returned  to  Mr.  Bartow,  for  his  services  as  a  reader 
in  the  Episcopal  Church  at  New  Rochelle,  that  the  Convention 
consider  him  as  eminently  useful  to  the  Church  in  that 
situation  and  wish  him  to  continue  therein  ;  and  as  they 
have  the  highest  sense  of  his  zeal  for  religion,  and  just  respect 
for  his  moral  character,  they  would  recommend  his  application 
to  such  studies  as  may  qualify  him  for  holy  orders,  in  confor- 
mity to  the  Constitution  of  the  Church,  and  that  a  copy  of  these 
resolutions  be  delivered  to  Mr.  Bartow  by  the  Secretary,  in  testi- 
mony of  the  approbation  of  this  Convention."  The  next  year, 
at  the  solicitation  of  the  congregation,  he  applied  for  holy  or- 
ders, and  was  ordained  Deacon,  on  Wednesday,  27th  of  Janua- 
ry, 1790,  and  Priest  on  the  19th*  of  October  following,  by  Bish- 
op Provoost.  A  definite  invitation  appears  to  have  been  given 
to  Mr.  Bartow  soon  after  his  ordination,  by  which  he  became 
the  first  rector  of  this  parish,  the  Church  having  been  without 
a  minister  fourteen  years.  Occasional  services,  however,  may 
have  been  held  during  that  time.  The  salary  at  this  period 
amounted  to  £30  per  annum,  and  appears  to  have  been  princi- 
pally paid  for  many  years,  by  Lewis  Pintard  Esq.  In  1787 
Jame  de  Blez,  first  junior  warden  of  the  parish,  bequeathed  the 
sum  of  £100  to  Trinity  Church,  which  money  appears  to 
have  been  laid  out  in  repairing  the  old  edifice  by  Mr.  Bar- 
tow. The  following  item  is  preserved  among  the  Guion  papers? 
entitled : — "  Memorandum  of  the  collection  in  the  church  by  Pe- 
ter Shute  :"— 
The  first  collection  was  May  17th,  1792. 

May  17th,  collected, 8  1-2 

»     24th,        "  12  6 


474  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Rector,  Wardens  and  Vestrymen,  of  Trin- 
ity Church  at  New  Rochelle,  on  the  24th  of  October,  1803,  it  was 
resolved : — "  that  in  consideration  of  the  decayed  state  of  the  pres- 
ent church,  that  it  was  expedient  to  erect  a  new  building 
for  the  celebration  of  Divine  worship,  and  it  is  hereby  earnest- 
ly recommended  to  the  members  of  the  congregation  of  the  said 
church,  and  to  all  pious  and  benevolent  persons  to  render 
every  aid  which  their  circumstances  will  admit,  in  affecting  the 
above  design,  and  may  the  blessing  of  God  rest  on  every  contrib- 
utor to  the  aforesaid  useful  object."  In  1804  Mr.  Bartow  makes 
report  to  the  Convention  of  eighteen  communicants,  &c. 

Mr.  Bartow  continued  rector  of  this  parish  until  June,  1819, 
when  he  ceased  the  labors  of  the  sanctuary  and  resigned  his 
office.  At  a  meeting  of  the  vestry  held  Monday,  June  7th,  of 
that  year,  on  motion  it  was  resolved  : — "  that  the  thanks  of  this 
Board  be  given  to  Mr.  Bartow,  to  wit : — "  The  vestry  of  Trinity 
Church,  New  Rochelle,  return  the  Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow  their 
thanks  for  his  long  and  faithful  services  in  said  Church,  and  re- 
quest that  he  will  accept  their  wishes  that  the  residue  of  his 
days  may  be  serene,  joyful  and  happy."  His  long  service  of 
nearly  thirty  years,  is  still  cherished  with  grateful  remembrance. 
On  Friday,  November  the  12th,  1S19,  this  venerable  missionary 
of  the  cross  was  called  from  his  earthly  labors  and  sufferings 
on  earth,  we  trust,  to  the  enjoyment  of  that  rest  which  remain- 
eth  for  the  people  of  God.  His  mortal  remains  repose  in  the 
grave  yard  on  the  west  side  of  Trinity  Church,  not  far  from  the 
site  of  the  old  French  Church,  in  which,  during  thirty  years  of 
his  ministry,  he  faithfully  dispensed  the  word  of  life. 

The  following  notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  Christian 
Journal  of  Dec,  1819: — "Died  at  New  Rochelle,  Westchester 
County,  New  York,  on  Friday,  November  12th,  the  Rev.  Theo- 
dosius Bartow,  in  the  72d  year  of  his  age,  for  nearly  thirty  years 
rector  of  Trinity  Church  in  that  place."  Mr.  Bartow  married 
Jemima  Abramse,  by  whom  he  left  several  children.  The  late 
Rev.  John  V.  Bartofr,  rector  of  Trinity  Church,  Baltimore,  was 
his  sixth  son.    The  Rev.  Theodore  Bartow  and  the  Rev.  Henry 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  475 

B.  Bartow,  sons  of  Jacob  Bartow  Esq.,  both  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  are  his  grandsons. 
Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Bartow  the 

REV.  REVAUD  KEARNY,  A.  M., 

Was  elected  minister  of  the  parish  in  1819.  The  same  year  he 
makes  report  to  the  Convention  of  twenty  seven  communicants, 
and  "  that  through  the  Divine  blessing  the  prospects  of  the  parish 
were  very  encouraging."  At  a  vestry  meeting  held  on  the  21st  of 
June,  1820,  it  was  determined,  that,  "  whereas,  in  the  present 
state  and  age  of  the  church,  it  is  thought  unadvisable  to  lay  out 
money  in  repairing  the  same,  resolved,  that  a  subscription  be 
opened  immediately,  for  the  raising  a  sufficient  sum  to  ena- 
ble the  Wardens  and  Vestry  to  erect  a  new  building."  Through 
the  exertions  of  Mr.  Kearny  a  large  amount  was  raised  at  that 
time,  but  the  church  edifice  was  not  begun  until  1823.  In  1821 
a  committee  appointed  by  the  Vestry  to  foreclose  the  land  lately 
given  by  the  late  Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow,  reported  ; — "  That 
the  same  is  accordingly  foreclosed  by  which  the  land  becomes 
the  property  of  the  Church."  At  the  same  time  it  was  resolved : — 
"  that  the  land  lately  put  into  possession  of  the  Church  be  ad" 
vertised  for  sale."a  In  1821  Mr.  Kearny  relinquished  the  rector- 
ship of  Eastchester  and  confinad  himself  to  this  parish. 
The  year  following,  however,  he  resigned  his  charge  and  was 
succeeded  by  the 

REV.  LEWIS  PINTARD  BAYARD,  A.  M. 

This  individual  was  born  on  the  23d  day  of  July,  1791,  at  the 
residence  of  his  great  uncle,  Elias  Boudinot,  L.L.  D.  at  Frank- 
fort, near  Philadelphia,  Pa.     His  father  was  the  Hon.  Samuel 


•  The  purchasers  of  the  old  glebe  (Elijah  Ward  and  others,)  having  paid  off  their 
bonds  to  the  Church,  and  the  monies  being  deposited  in  the  rector's  hands  ;  tho  latter 
to  secure  the  same  to  the  Church,  mortgaged  a  tract  of  land  of  about  GO  acres,  situa- 
ted in  tho  town  of  New  Rochelle,  which  was  foreclosed  as  above.  Much  of  this 
land  is  still  owned  by  the  Church. 


476  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

Bayard  of  Philadelphia.  His  mother  was  the  only  daughter  of 
Lewis  Pintard,  L.L.  D.  of  New  York,  whose  long  and  devoted 
services  to  the  Church  have  endeared  him  to  the  hearts  of  all 
who  seek  her  welfare  and  pray  for  her  peace.  At  the  early  age 
of  three  yerrs,  Lewis  P.  Bayard  went  to  England  with  his  fath- 
er, who  was  sent  by  the  United  States  government  to  that  coun- 
try, we  believe  on  a  private  embassy.  During  his  father's  resi- 
dence in  London,  young  Bayard  received  the  rudiments  of  an 
English  education,  and  some  knowledge  of  the  French  language. 
For  some  years  after  his  return  from  England,  he  resided  in  the 
family  of  his  grandfather,  at  New  Rochelle.  Here  the  founda- 
tion of  his  classical  education  was  laid  by  several  successive 
teachers,  among  whom  was  a  Mr.  Corbet,  a  graduate  of  Trini- 
ty College,  Dublin.  His  father  afterwards  removed  to  New  York, 
and  placed  him  under  the  tuition  of  the  late  Rev.  Edmund  Bar- 
ry, D.  D.  rector  of  St.  Matthew's  Church,  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  from 
whose  excellent  instructions  he  appears  to  have  derived  the  most 
decided  and  permanent  benefit.  Having  been  thoroughly  pre- 
pared for  College  under  Dr.  Barry,  he  became  a  member  of  Nas- 
sau Hall,  Princeton,  N.  J.,  in  the  fall  of  1804,  where  he  re- 
mained four  years,  and  graduated  with  the  usual  honors  in  the 
summer  of  1808.  For  some  time  he  hesitated  which  of  the  pro- 
fessions to  choose  ;  "  but  after  long  and  mature  consideration,"  he 
says,  "  I  felt  inwardly  called  and  moved  to  take  upon  myself  the 
office  of  a  minister  of  Christ,"  and  he  accordingly  commenced 
in  1809,  a  course  of  theological  study  under  the  direction  of 
Bishop  Hobart.  Although  nurtured  in  the  bosom  of  the  Presby- 
terian denomination,  he  became  convinced,  after  a  faithful  in- 
vestigation of  the  subject  of  Episcopacy,  aided  by  Divine  light 
and  guidance  in  prayer,  and  diligent  and  humble  examination 
of  the  Scriptures,  that  it  was  his  duty  to  connect  himself  with 
the  Episcopal  Church  as  one  "  divine  in  its  institution,  apostolic 
in  its  ministry,  pure  and  evangelical  in  its  doctrines,  authorita- 
tive in  its  sacraments,  and  scriptural  and  primitive  in  its  dis- 
cipline and  worship." 

During  the  prosecution  of  his  theological  studies  Mr.  Bayard 
resided  at  Princeton,  N.  J.,  and  was  admitted  a  candidate  for 


AND  CHURCH  OP  NEW  ROCHELLE.  477 

orders  on  the  2d  of  May,  1811,  in  the  diocese  of  New  Jersey. 
For  six  months  previous  to  his  admission  to  Deacon's  orders,  he 
officiated,  under  a  canonical  license,  as  lay  reader  in  St.  Michael's 
Church,  Trenton,  and  in  several  vacant  churches  in  the  diocese 
as  his  services  were  needed. 

Mr.  Bayard  was  admitted  to  Deacon's  orders,  by  the  Rt. 
Rev.  Bishop  Hobart,  in  Grace  Church,  New  York,  on  the  second 
day  of  August,  1812.  In  May,  1813,  he  was  called  to  the  rector- 
ship of  Trinity  Church,  Newark,  N.  J.,  which  charge  he  resign- 
ed in  1820.  After  this  he  officiated  for  some  time  in  the  neigh- 
boring parish  of  Eastchester.  In  connection  with  his  pasto- 
ral charge,  he  thought  it  to  be  his  duty  to  engage  in  the  avoca- 
tion of  an  instructor  of  youth,  peculiar  facilities  being  offered 
him  at  New  Rochelle,  the  place  of  his  residence,  for  engaging 
in  that  work.  In  1821,  he  became  Rector  of  this  parish  and  the 
next  year  makes  report  to  the  Convention  of  thirty  communi- 
cants. a 

During  the  incumbency  of  Mr.  Bayard,  the  present  church 
edifice  was  erected  and  consecrated.  In  the  year  1827,  ad- 
verse circumstances,  wholly  beyond  his  control,  among  which 
he  particularly  mentions  the  sale  of  his  grandfather's  man- 
sion, rendered  it  again  necessary  for  Mr.  Bayard  to  change 
the  scene  of  his  ministry.  Attached  as  he  was  to  New 
Rochelle,  by  so  many  sacred  and  delightful  associations,  he 
yet  obeyed,  unmurmuringly  the  call  of  providence,  and  in  April 
of  that  year  moved  his  large  family  to  Geneva.  From  thence  he 
was  called  in  September  by  the  vestry  of  the  newly  formed 
congregation  at  Geneseo,  Livingston  County,  to  become  their 
Rector.  In  1830  he  removed  to  New  York,  and  organized  St. 
Clement's  Church  in  that  city,  soon  after  this,  the  honorary  de- 
gree of  Doctor  in  Divinity  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  faculty 
of  Geneva  College,  in  Western  New  York.  In  1840  he  obtained 
leave  of  absence  from  his  Congregation  to  make  a  tour  through 
Europe  to  Syria  and  the   Holy  Land,  for  the  benefit   of  his 


■  Memorial  of  the  Rev.  Lewis  P.  Bayard,  D.  D.,  by  the  late  Rev.  T.  W.  Brown, 
A.  M. 


478  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

health.    A  little  more,  however,  than  four  months  from  the  day 
of  his  embarkation,  this  eminent  soldier  of  the  cross  rested  from 
his  labors,  having  died  at  sea,  on  his  return  from  the  Holy 
Land,  Sept.  2,  1840. 
The 

REV.  LAWSON  CARTER  A.  M., 

Was  elected  in  1827  and  resigned  in  1839.  In  the  year  1831, 
he  reported  to  the  Convention  : — "forty  communicants,  and  that 
during  the  past  year  a  very  respectable  and  commodious  parson- 
age has  been  erected.  It  is  but  justice  to  add,"  he  says,  "  in  accom- 
plishing this  object,  one  family,  with  a  liberality  deserving  the 
highest  praise,  contributed  to  the  amount  of  three  hundred  and 
forty  dollars,  another,  to  the  amount  of  three  hundred  and 
eighty,  and  that  about  fifteen  hundred  were  raised  through  the 
agency  of  the  Female  Missionary  Association  of  the  Parish." 
For  Mr.  Carter's  successors,  see  catalogue  of  ministers. 

THE  CHURCH. 

The  Church  edifice  comprises  simply  a  nave  and  vestry  room 
in  the  rear,  with  a  square  tower  and  spire  at  the  south  end,  and 
is  situated  on  the  glebe  given  by  the  town  in  1714,  at  no  great 
distance  from  the  site  of  the  old  French  church  erected  in 
1710.  It  is  constructed  of  wood  in  the  gothic  style,  without 
much  pretension  to  taste.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  by  the 
Right  Rev.  John  Henry  Hobart,  D.  D.,  on  Friday,  the  fourth 
of  July,  1 823,  and  on  the  28th  of  August,  1824,  it  was  consecrated 
and  set  apart  to  the  worship  and  service  of  Almighty  God,  un- 
der the  title  of  Trinity  Church,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  John  Croes,  D. 
D.,  Bishopo  f  the  Diocese  of  New  Jersey,  in  the  absence  of  the 
lamented  Hobart,  then  on  a  visit  to  England. 

In  1846  it  was  considerably  enlarged  and  improved.     The 
tower  contains  the  original  bell,  presented  by  Sir  Henry  Ashurst,a 

*  "  Sir  Henry  Ashurst  was  the  eldest  son  of  Henry  Ashurst  Esqr.  of  London,  emi- 
nent for  great  benevolence,  humanity  and  piety,  and  a  chief  person  in  founding  the 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE. 


479 


of  London,  to  the  French  Church,  Du  St.  Esprit  of  New  York, 
which  bears  the  following  inscription  : — 

"  SAMUEL  NEWTON  MADE  ME,  1706." 

In  1823  it  was  ordered  by  the  Vestry  of  that  Church, 
that  this  bell,  then  in  the  care  of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  New 
York,  be  presented  for  the  use  of  the  French  Church,  New  Roch- 
elle. 

The  communion  plate  consists  of  a  large  silver  chalice  and 
paten,  the  gift  of  "  good  Queen  Anne,"  also  two  smaller  chali- 
ces, presented  by  a  member  of  the  Davenport  family.  The  old 
communion  table,  presented  to  the  church  by  Aman  Guion, 
in  1710,  is  still  preserved  in  the  vestry  room.  The  organ 
cost  $850,  and  has  an  octave  of  pedals  with  a  trumpet  stop. 


Trinity  Church,  New  Rochelle. 


corporation  for  propagating  the  gospel  in  foreign  parts,  temp,  of  Charles  II.  to  which 
he  acted  as  treasurer.  Sir  Henry  was  created  a  Baronet  by  King  James  II.  2lst 
of  July,  1688.  He  sat  in  Parliament  in  the  Reign  of  Charles  II.  and  William  III. 
for  the  boroughs  of  Truro,  in  Cornwall  and  Wilton,  Wilts.  He  was  the  intimate 
friend  of  the  Hon.  Robert  Boyle,  to  whom  he  was  executor  and  trustee  for  founding 
the  lecture  which  bore  that  gentleman's  name.  He  died  at  Waterstock,  13th  of 
April,  1710,  and  lies  buried  there."    See  Burke's  Extinct  and  Dormant  Baronetcies. 


4S0  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

TOMBSTONES. 

In  the  rear  of  the  church  is  situated  the  old  burying  ground, 
where  lie,  awaiting  the  resurrection  of  the  just,  many  of  the  per- 
secuted and  exiled  Huguenots.  The  inscriptions  on  the  earliest 
tombstones  are  wholly  illegible.  Among  others  that  have  been 
preserved  however,  are  the  following  ;-VOISE-LE,  CORP.  DE. 

ISAAC  COUTANT,  AGDE  50.     ANNS. HERE  LIES 

THE  BODY  OF  JAMES  FLANDREAU  AGED,  69  YEARS 

DIED,   FEB.   19.   1726 1741   M.   D.   A.   G.  49. 

VOISE.  LE.  CORP.  DE  SUSANA.  LANDRIN.  AG.  DE.  18. 

M.  LE.  6  D.  S.  L.  1750. HERE  LIES  THE  BODY  OF 

JOHN  CLARK  WHO  DEPARTED  THIS  LIFE  ON  YE  6 

DAY  OF  M,R.,  AD.  1754.  AGED  56. •  HERE  LIES  THE 

BODY  OF  ANDRE  RANOUD,  WHO  DEPARTED  THIS 
LIFE  ON  FRIDAY  YE  2  DAY  OF  DEC,  A.  D.  1758,  AGED 
25  Yr. 

To  this  Church  is  attached  a  valuable  glebe  and  parsonage, 
the  latter  we  have  seen  was  erected  in  1831.  The  old  parish 
house  which  was  rebuilt  in  1761,  stood  directly  in  the  rear  of  the 
present  church.  In  1851  the  real  estate  of  the  Church  was 
valued  as  follows  : — 
The  Rectory  or  Parsonage  containing  about  six 

acres  of  land  worth  about  $10,000,00 

Thirteen  lots  of  land  valued  at  from  $400  to  $900  each  7,250,00 
Two  to  three  acres  of  land  valued  at  1,500,00 

Making  the  whole  value  of  real  estate,  exclusive  of 

cemetry  and  church  edifice.  $18,750,00 

PRINCIPAL  BENEFACTORS. 

Q,ueen  Anne,  John  Pell,  Jacob  Leisler,  Col.  Benjamin  Fletch- 
er, Col  Robert  Hunter,  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote.,  Rev.  John  Sharpe, 
Elias  Neau,  Rev.  Daniel  Bonder,  Lewis  Bongrand,  Aman  Gui- 
on,  James  de  Blez,  Lewis  Pintard,  Peter  Jay  Munro,  Hon.  John 
Hunter,  Lloyd  S.  Daubeny,  Philip  Rhinelander  Underhill, 
Town  of  New  Rochelle,  the  Venerable  Society  for  the  Propaga- 
tion of  the  Gospel,  and  the  Corporation  of  Trinity  Church  New- 
York. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE  481 

The  first  delegate  from  this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Con- 
vention, held  in  New  York,  Wednesday,  June  22nd,  17S5.  was 
Mr.  Andrew  Fowler. 

MINISTERS  AND  RECTORS  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.     ' 

INST.  OR  CALL.  MINISTERS.  VACATED  BY. 

20  Sep.  A.  D.  1689,  Rev.  David  De  Bonrepos,D.  D.  CI.  resig. 
20  June,  A.  D.  1695,  Rev.  Daniel  Bondet,  A.  M.  01.  death. 
20  July,  A.  D.  1724,  Rev.  Pierre  Stouppe,  A.  M.  01.      " 
20  Aug.  A.  D.  1761,  Rev.  Michael  Houdin,  A.  Mt  CI.  <•' 

20  Oct.  A.  D.  1790,  Rev.  Theodosius    Bartow,    Presb.    resig. 

12  May,  A.  D.  1819,  Rev.  Ravaud  Kearny,  A.   M.  Presb.  resig. 
23  Jan.  A.  D.  1821,  Rev.  Lewis  P.  Bayard,  A.  M.  Presb.         " 

21  May.  A.  D.  1827,  Rev.  Lawson  Carter,  A.   M.   Presb.    resig. 

13  May,  A.  D.  1839,  Rev.  Thomas  Winthrop  Coit,  D.  D.  Presb.  « 
10  Dec.  1849,  Rev.  Richard  Umstead  Morgan,  D.  D.  Presb.  pres- 
ent incumbent. 

NOTITIA  PAROCH1ALIS. 

1709  Communicants,  43         Baptisms.     Unknown. 

1714  "  50  "  » 

1716  "  52  " 

1724  "  45  "  " 

1733  «  35  "  5 

1750  "  68  "  15 

1756  ':  80  «  40 

1804  "  18  "  5 

1819  "  27  »  13 

IS47  "  46  "  10 

1853  "  56  «  20 

The  baptismal  register  of  this  Church  commences,  in  1724. 

Ce  Dimanche  14  Mars,  1724,  a  ete  baptise  sortie  service  du  ma- 
tin Peter  fils  de  Thomas  Wallis,  and  Madelaine  sa  ferame  le  Pe- 
ter a  ete  presente,  au  saint  bapteme,  par  Denys  Woertman  and 

31 


4S2 


HISTOEY  OP  THE  PARISH 


Elizabeth  sa  femme  Parrain  et  Marraine  le  dit   Peter  est  ne  le 

six  du  dit  mois." 

Thomas  Wallis,  Peter  Stouppe, 

Denis  Woertman,  Isaac  Gtuanteiu,  ancien. 


ber 


Isaac  Guion,  ancien. 


Elizabeth  ^Woertman, 

marque. 

In  1710  the  population  of  New  Rochelle  and  its  districts  was 
as  *follows : — Male   Christians,    67 — female   do.,    139  ; — Male 
Slaves,  23— female  do.,  34— total  261. 
In  1712  the  population  was  304 
"  1840  "  "  "  1,816 

"  1S50  "  "  "  2,458. 

WARDENS  OF  TRINITY  CHURCH  UNDER 
THE  CHARTER. 


1762. 
Jacob|Bleecker, 

1763--5. 
Jacob  Bleecker, 

1793-4. 
Abraham  Guion, 

1795-6. 
David  Guion, 

1797. 
David  Guion, 

1798-1800. 
David  Guion, 

1801. 
David  Guion, 

1802-1810. 
Lewis  Pintard, 

1811-1813. 
David  Coutant 

1814. 
David  Coutant, 

1815-1817. 
David  Coutant. 


James  De  Blez. 
David  Guion. 
David  Guion. 
Peter  Shute. 
William  Baily. 

Frederick  Guion. 

Lewis  Pintard. 

David  Coutant. 

Anthony  Bartow. 

John  W.  Kearny. 

Anthony  Bartow. 


AND  CHUKCH  OF  NEW  ROCHELLE.  4S3 

1S18. 
Anthony  Bartow,  David  Coutant. 

1819. 
David  Coutant,  Anthony  Norroway. 

1820. 
Anthony  Norroway,  David  Coutant. 

Ib21. 
Anthony  Norroway,  Herman  Le  Roy. 

1822-1824. 
Anthony  Norroway,  New'y  Davenport,  Jun. 

1825. 
Anthony  Norroway,  Gideon  Coggeshall. 

1826. 
Gideon  Coggeshall,  Lloyd  S.  Daubeny. 

1827. 
Gideon  Coggeshall,  Frederick  A.  Guion. 

1828-9. 
Peter  Jay  Munro,  Newberry  Davenport. 

1830-1. 
Newberry  Davenport,  Lloyd  S.  Daubeny. 

1832. 
Loyd  S.  Daubeny,  Newberry  Davenport. 

1833-4. 
Newberry  Davenport.  Lloyd  S.  Daubeny. 

1835-1839-41. 
Lloyd  S.  Daubeny,  Newberry  Davenport. 

1842-3. 
Peter  R.  Brinckerhoff,  Philip  A.  Davenport. 

1844-5. 
Peter  R.  Brinckerhoff,  Henry  Munro. 

1846. 
Peter  R.  Brinckerhoff,  Robert  Bartow. 

1847-8. 
Peter  R.  Brinckerhoff,  John  Soulice. 

1849  to  1851 . 
John  Soulice,  Benjamin  H.  Carpenter. 


484 


HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 
1852. 


John  Soulice, 
Robert  Bartow, 


1853. 


Richard  Lathers. 


Richard  Lathers. 


Queen  Anne's  Chalice  and  Paten. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


YONKERS. 


The  Old  or  Lower  Yonkers,  as  it  was  commonly  called,  con 
stituted  one  of  the  four  precincts  of  Westchester  parish  until 
1787,  when  it  was  independently  organized. 

The  principal  grantee  under  the  Indians  in  this  parish,  after 
the  sale  to  the  Dutch  West  India  Company  in  1640,  was  De  Heer 
Adrian  Van  der  Donck,  who  obtained  from  the  Director  General, 
the  tract  of  land  called  "  Nepperhaem."  The  title  given  to  this 
Colony  was  '-'Colen  Donck"  (Donck's  Colony)  and  the  proprie- 
tor thereof  was  invested  in  all  the  rights  and  priviliges  con- 
tained in  the  Charter  of  1629. 

Van  der  Donck  also  received  a  deed  of  confirmation  from  the 
native  Indian  sachem  Tackarew  and  others.  He  subsequently 
made  other  purchases,  erected  mills,  and  laid  out  a  plantation 
near  the  present  village  of  Yonkers.  '•'•  The  Dutch,  (says  Broad- 
head)  were  in  the  habit  of  calling  Van  der  Donck's  estate  '  de  Jonk 
heers  Landt,'  which  the  English  afterward  corrupted  into 
Yonkers."a 

■  Broadhead's  Hist,  of  the  State  of  N.  Y.  First  period,  1609-1664.J 


486  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

In  1677  Elias  Doughty,  son  of  the  Rev.  Francis  Doughty 
and  brother  in  law  of  Van  der  Donck,  "  was  invested  in  the  sole 
proprietorship  of  the  land  heretofore  belonging  to  the  Younckers 
Van  der  Donck." 

In  1693  Frederick  Philipse  Esqr.,  being  possessed  of  the  fee 
simple  of  the  Yonkers  and  adjoining  lands,  the  whole  territory 
was  by  Royal  Charter,  erected  into  the  Lordship  and  Manor  of 
Philipsburgh  ;  to  beholden  of  the  King,  in  free  and  common  soc- 
cage,  its  Lord  yielding  and  paying  therefor,  yearly  and  every 
year,  on  the  Feast  day  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Vir- 
gin Mary,  at  the  fort  in  New  York,  the  annual  rent  of  £4,  12s. 
Frederick  Philipse,  was  the  only  son  of  Frederick  Philipse,  or, 
(as  the  name  was  spelt  at  that  early  period)  Frederick  Felyp- 
sen  a  native  of  Bolswaert,  in  East  Friesland,  and  grandson  of 
the  Honorable  Viscount  Felyps  of  Bohemia,  who  sprang  from 
the  ancient  Viscounts  of  that  name  and  country.  The  early 
members  of  this  family  took  an  active  part  in  favor  of  the  Re- 
formers John  Huss  and  Jerome  of  Prague,  for  which  they 
suffered  severely  both  in  person  and  property,  being  finally  com- 
pelled to  fly,  for  better  security,  to  East  Friesland.  Besides  their 
high  rank  as  nobles,  they  appear  also  to  have  held  the  office  of 
Grand  Veneurs,  or  keepers  of  the  deer  forests  in  Bohemia.  In 
the  year  1658,  Frederick  Philipse  emigrated  from  East  Fries- 
land to  the  New  Netherlands.  By  his  wife,  Margaret  Dacres, 
he  left  one  son,  Frederick,  born  at  Bolswaert,  East  Friesland,  A. 
D.  1656.  The  latter  was  first  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Philips- 
burgh in  1693,  founder  of  the  Dutch  Church,  Sleepy  Hollow, 
and  for  many  years  a  leading  member  of  the  Governor's  Coun- 
cil. He  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Oloff  Ste- 
vensen  Van  Cortlandt.  By  his  will,  dated  9th  of  December 
1702,  he  requires  "  his  body  to  be  interred  at  his  burial  place  at 
the  Upper  Mills."  Philip,  his  eldest  son,  married  Maria,  daugh- 
ter of  Governor  Sparks  of  Barbadoes,  and  dying  in  1700,  left 
Frederick  Philipse  Esq.,  second  Lord  of  the  Manor  of  Philips- 
burgh, heir  to  his  uncle  Adolphus,  and  founder  of  the  Church 
in  this  parish.  Under  the  royal  charter  of  Philipsburgh,  the 
Philipses  enjoyed  "  the  advowson  and  right  of  patronage  of  all 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  487 

and  every  the  church  or  churches,  erected  or  to  be  erected  or 
established  or  hereafter  to  be  erected  or  established  within  the 
said  manor  of  Philipsburgh/' 

As  early  as  1684  Yonkers  appears  to  have  been  associated  with 
East  and  Westchester  in  the  support  of  a  minister,  for  on  the 
2nd  of  April  of  that  year,  it  was  resolved  at  a  town  meeting 
held  in  Westchester  : — "  That  the  Justices  and  Vestrymen  of 
Westchester,  Eastchester  and  Yonkers,  do  accept  of  Mr. 
Warham  Mather  as  our  minister  for  one  whole  year,  &c."a 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1693,  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly 
was  passed  for  settling  a  ministry,  and  raising  a  maintenance 
for  them  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  &c.,  by  which  Yonkers 
became  one  of  the  four  precincts  of  Westchester  parish. 

The  first  vestryman  elected  by  the  freeholders  of  this  precinct 
was  Charles  Vincent,  and  the  quota  contributed  towards  the 
support  of  the  rector  and  poor  of  the  parish  in  1702,  amounted 
to  £7,  6; 

In  1702  the  Rev.  John  Bartow,  one  of  the  first  missionaries 
sent  out  by  the  Ven.  Propagation  Society,  was  inducted  by  the 
mandate  of  his  Excellency,  Governor  Cornbury,  rector  of  the 
parish  church  of  Westchester,  Eastchester,  Yonkers,  and  the 
Manor  of  Pelham. 

The  following  year  Mr.  Bartow  commenced  his  services 
within  this  precinct.  In  a  summary  account  of  the  state  of  the 
Church  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  as  it  was  laid  before  the 
Clergy,  convened  at  New  York,  October  5th,  1704,  we  have 
the  subjoined  account  of  this  precinct : — "  At  Yonkers  there  is  a 
small  congregation  of  Dutch,  who  have  only  a  reader,  and 
therefore  some  of  them  who  understand  English,  repair  to  the 
church  of  Westchester."lj 

September  5th,  1708,  Mr.  Bartow  writes  to  the  Venerable  So- 
ciety : — -That  he  occasionally  preaches  at  Yonkers,  where  the 
population  was  then  250  souls." 


a  Westchustor  Town  Records. 

k  In  1704  there  were  20  families  in  the  Lower  Yonkers,  and  40  in  the  Manor  of 
Philipsburgh. 


488  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

In  1713  the  Society  founded  a  charity  school  for  the 
education  of  the  children  in  this  precinct.  Their  abstracts 
say  : — "  To  a  schoolmaster  at  Yonkers,  in  the  province  of  New 
York,  where  there  is  a  large  congregation  of  Dutch  and  Eng- 
lish for  instructing  the  younger  sort  of  both  nations  in  the  Cat- 
echism and  Liturgy,  of  £5  per  annum,  upon  producing  a  certif- 
icate of  his  teaching  thirty  children,  in  that  summer ;  to  whom 
also  the  people  of  Eastchester  are  willing  to  allow  £20  per 
annum,  if  some  well  instructed  master  would  teach  them  al- 
ternately."a 

Mr.  Bartow  writing  to  the  Secretary  on  the  12th  of 
September.  1717,  says  : — "  Yonkers  has  no  church,  but  we  as- 
semble for  divine  worship,  sometimes  in  an  house  of  Joseph 
Bebts,  deceased,  and  sometimes  in  a  barn  when  empty,  but  the 
people  begin  to  be  in  a  disposition  to  build  a  church." 

"A.  D.  1719,  Mr.  Jones  was  allowed  fifty  shillings  for 
teaching  children  to  read  at  Mile  Square." 

In  the  year  1724  Mr.  Bartow  informs  the  Bishop  of  Londonj 
"That  he  officiates  on  Sundays,  in  the  four  towns  under  his 
care,  according  to  their  several  quotas  in  the  payment  of  the 
£50  per  annum,  and  that  he  preaches  three  times  a  year  at  Yon- 
kers, &c." 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Bartow  in  1725,  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Standard  was  inducted  rector  of  the  parish  of  Westchester, 
including  the  precinct  of  Yonkers.  During  his  incumbency,  the 
present  parish  church  was  erected.  Its  first  founder  and  patron, 
as  we  have  already  seen,  was  the  Hon.  Frederick  Philipse,  son 
of  Philip  Philipse.  This  distinguished  personage  was  born  upon 
the  Springhead  estate,  island  of  Barbadoes,  A.  D.  169S.  From 
1721  to  1725,  he  filled  the  office  of  Speaker  to  the  House  of  As- 
sembly, in  the  province  of  New  York,  and  in  1733  was  Baron  of 
the  Exchequer.  In  his  will,  which'is  dated  the  6th  day  of  June,  A. 
D.  1751,  he  directs  as  follows  : — "  That  out  of  the  Tents  that  are 
or  shall  be  due  to  me  from  the  Manor  of  Philipsburgh,  the  sum 


■  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Soc.  for  1713.J 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  489 

of  £400  be,  by  my  executors,  laid  out  and  expended  towards 
erecting,  building  and  finishing  a  church  of  England  as  by  law 
established,  on  the  farm  near  and  to  the  northward  of  the  house 
now  in  the  possession  of  William  Jones,  senior,  by  Saw  Mill 
river,  unless  I  shall  erect,  build  and  finish  the  same  in  my  life- 
time, and  I  do  devise  all  the  said  farm  now  in  the  tenure  of  the 
said  William  Jones,  with  all  the  buildings  thereon  and  appur- 
tenances thereunto  belonging,  unto  my  children  and  their  heirs 
in  trust  to  and  for  the  use  of  such  ministers  of  the  Church  of 
England,  as  by  law  established,  as  shall  from  time  to  time  be 
admitted,  instituted  and  inducted  in  the  said  Church,  and  so  for 
ever  to  remain  as  and  for  a  glebe  to  the  said  Church. "a 

The  site  of  the  church  was  afterwards  changed,  however,  by 
his  son  Frederick,  to  its  present  location  in  the  village.  Col. 
Philipse  contributed  the  money  necessary  for  the  building  and 
all  the  labor,  except  such  as  he  taxed  his  tenants  with  who 
lived  in  the  to\vn.b  This  tax,  which  was  very  trifling,  was 
levied  in  proportion  to  the  abilities  of  his  tenants.  The  building 
of  the  church  must  have  commenced  in  1752,  for  among  the 
Philipse  MSS.  is  an  account  of  the  expenses  on  the  church  at 
Philipsborough  to  the  estate  of  Frederick  Philipse,  debtor,  "  com- 
mencingNovember,  1752.  closing  December,  1753,  whole  amount 
£623,  6s.  9d.  This  sum  shows  that  his  executrix  had  exceeded 
the  original  bequest  in  the  will,  £223.  The  curious  reader 
will  not  be  displeased  with  one  or  two  more  of  these  accounts, 
showing  the  expenses  attendant  on  building  a  church  at  that 
early  period : — '•  Benjamin  Fowler's  account  in  full  for  ye  church, 
May  11th.  1753,  dito  6  1-2  days  works  at  gifting  timber  for  the 
dors  and  the  winder  frames  for  the  church,  at  5  shillings  per 
day,  £1,  12,  6  : — September  the  20th,  to  working  and  going  to 


*  Surrogates  oilice,  N.  Y.,  vol.  xviii.  3.  This  will  was  proved  on  the  14th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1751.  In  a  map  of  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  surveyed  agreeable  to  the  orders 
and  instructions  of  Isaac  Stoutenburgh  and  Philip  Van  Cortlandt,  Commissioners  of 
Forfeiture-         1785,  the   glebe   or   parsonage   is  laid   down  at  107   acres. — Editor. 

b  The  bricks  used  in  the  construction  of  this  edifice  were  manufactured  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Pidgeon  Hill,  about  one  mile  south  of  the  village  of  Youkers. — Editor. 


490  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

ask  the  people  to  come  to  work  at  the  church,  8  days,  &c,  &c. 
John  Underhill's  receipt   for   supplying    the    workmen  at  the 
church  with  beef,   commencing  August  31st,  Madame  Philipse 
debtor,  69  pounds  of  beef  at  2s  3d  per  pound  £15.  L0,  3. 
Received  of  Beverly  Robinson,  the  above  amount  in  full. 

John  Underhill." 

The  Honorable  Frederick  Philipse  married  in  172G.  Joanna 
daughter  of  the  Hon.  Anthony  Brockholes,  of  an  old  Lancash- 
ire family,  by  this  lady  he  had  issue  two  sons,  Frederick  and 
Philip,  also  three  daughters,  Susannah,  Mary  and  Margaret. 
The  eldest  son,  Frederick  Philipse,  being  heir  of  his  father  be- 
came devisee  of  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh.  Philip,  the 
second  son  inherited  the  upper  Highland  patent  of  Philips- 
town,  married  Mary  Marston,  and  died  at  New  York.  May  9th, 
1768.a  His  son  Frederick,  who  died  in  1829,  was  the  grandfather 
of  the  present  Frederick  Philipse  Esqr.,  proprietor  of  Philips- 
town,  Putnam  Co.  The  Hon.  Frederick  Philipse.  founder  of  this 
Church,  died  at  New  York.  26th  of  July,  1751,  and  was  buried 
in  the  family  vault,  in  the  Dutch  Church  at  Sleepy  Hollow,  on  the 
28th  of  the  same  month.  The  following  notice  of  his  death  ap- 
peared in  the  JNew  York  Gazette,  for  July  29th.  1751  : — "New 
York,  July  29th, — Last  Friday  Evening  departed  this  Life,  in 
the  56th  year  of  his  age,  the  Honourable  Frederick  Philipse 
Esqr.,  one  of  his  Majesty's  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
this  Province,  and  a  Representative  in  our  General  Assembly 
for  the  County  of  Westchester.  He  was  a  Gentleman  conspic- 
uous for  an  abundant  Fortune  ;  but  it  was  not  his  wealth  that 
constituted  his  Merit ;  His  Indulgence  and  Tenderness  to  his 
Tenants ;  his  more  than  parental  affection  for  hi*  Children, 
and  his  incessant  liberality  to  the  Indigent,  surpassed  the  splen- 
dor of  his  Estate,  and  procured  him  a  more  unfeigned  regard  than 
can  be  purchased  with  opulence,  or  gained  by  Interest.     There 


»  The  following  obituary  notice  appeared  in  the  New  York  Merciry  for  May 
16th.  1768: — 'Monday  last,  departed  this  life  at  his  house  in  King  Street,  in  thi» 
city,  Philip  Philipse,  Esq.,  in  the  41th  year  of  his  age." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  491 

were  perhaps  few  Men,  that  ever  equalled  him  in  those  obliging 
and  benevolent  Manners,  which,  at  the  same  time  that  they  at- 
tracted the  Love  of  his  Inferiors,  created  him  all  the  Respect  and 
Veneration  due  to  his  rank  and  station.  That  he  was  a  Lover 
of  his  Country,  is  gloriously  attested  by  his  being  repeatedly 
elected  into  the  Assembly  for  the  last  27  years  of  his  Life.  He 
had  a  disposition  extremely  social,  and  was  what  few  ever  at- 
tain to  be,  a  good  Companion.  But  what  I  have  said  of  his 
Character  is  far  from  being  a  finished  Portrait ;  it  is  only  a 
sketch  of  some  few  of  his  Excellent  dualities,  many  features,  I 
am  sure,  have  escaped  me;  but  I  dare  say,  that  those  I  have 
attempted,  are  not  set  off  with  false  colours,  but  drawn  faithful- 
ly from  the  Life." 

His  eldest  son  and  heir,  Colonel  Frederick  Phihpse,  was  of 
King's  College,  and  became  a  most  accomplished  gentleman,  and 
a  person  of  considerable  literary  attainments.  He  was  also  an  ar- 
dent Churchman,  and  a  liberal  benefactor.  In  fact,  to  his  un- 
tiring efforts,  under  God,  does  this  parish  owe  much  of  her 
present  prosperity.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Venerable 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  1764,  and  his  name 
appears  among  the  list  of  vestrymen  of  Trinity  Church,  New 
York,  from  1779  to  1782.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  House 
of  Assembly,  held  the  commission  of  Colonel  in  the  Provin- 
cial Militia,  upon  the  confiscation  of  his  property,  and  retired 
to  Chester  in  England.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
Charles  Williams  Esqr.,  and  had  with  other  issue,  Frederick,  who 
married  Harriet  Griffiths  of  Rhent,  North  Wales,  father  of  Colo- 
nel Frederick  C  Philipse,  who  married  Mary  Ann  R.  daughter  of 
Sir  Hugh  Palliser,  bart.  of  the  Vatch,  Bucks,  and  has  two  sons, 
Frederick  of  Rhent,  and  Edwin  William  Philipse.  Colonel 
Frederick  Philipse  died  at  Chester,  30th  of  April,  1785,  and  was 
buried  in  the  Cathedral  church  of  that  city,  where  there  is  a 
monument  erected  to  his  memory,  on  which  is  the  following  in- 
scription : 


492  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

: 

"  Sacred  to  the  Memory  of 
FREDERICK    PHILIPSE:    Esquire, 

late  of  the  Province  of  New  York  : 

A  gentleman,  in  whom  the  various  social,  domestic,  and  religious  virtues  were 
eminently  united.      The  uniform  Rectitude^of  his  condu  d  the    es- 

teem of  others  ;  whilst  the  Benevolence  of  his  heart  and  gentleness  of  his  man- 
ners secured  their  love.  Firmly  attached  to  his  Sovereign  and  the  British  Con- 
stitution, he  opposed,  at  the  hazard  of  his  life,  the  late  Rebellion  in  North  America, 
and  for  this  faithful  discharge  of  his  duty  to  his  Ifing  and  Country,  he  was 
proscribed,  and  his  estate,  one  of  the  largest  in  New  York,  was  confiscated  by  the 
usurped  Legislature  of  that  Province.  When  the  British  Troops  were  withdrawn 
from  New  York,  in  1783,  he  quitted'^a  Province  to  which  he  had  always  been  an  or- 
nament and  Benefactor,  and  came  to  England,  leaving  all  his  property  behind 
him  :  which  reverse  of  fortune  he  bore  with  that  calmness,  fortitude  and  dignity, 
which  had  distingished  him  through  every  former  stage  of  life. 

He  was  born  at  New  York,  the  12th  Day  of  September,  in  the  year  1720,  and 
died  iu  this  Place  the  30th  day  of  April,   in  the  year  1785,  aged  65  years."* 

For  some  time  after  building  the  church,  the  precinct  had  no 
settled  clergyman — but  was  supplied  four  times  a  year  by  the 
rectors  »f  the  parish  and  by  occasional  visits  of  the  neighboring 
clergy. 

The  state  of  the  precinct  about  six  months  prior  to  Mr.  Stan- 
dard's death,  is  thus  described  by  Dr.  Johnson,  in  a  letter  to  the 
Archbishop  of  Canterbury,  from  which  we  extract  the  follow- 
ing :— 

DR  JOHNSON   TO   THE   ARCHBISHOP   OF   CANTER- 
BURY. 
"  King's  College.  New-  York,  July  2oth,  1759. 

The  next  thing  is  to  give  your  Grace  an  account  of  those 

places  where  Missions  are  wanted,  and  here  I  beg  leave  first  to 
mention  a  great  part  of  this  Province,  I  mean  all  that  Tract  on  the 
East  side  of  Hudson's  River,  from  Westchester  upwards,  quite  as 
far  as  we  have  any  settlements,  abounding  in  people,  but  almost 


*  The  above  inscription  was  kindly  furnished  the  author  by  the  Rev.  W.  P.  Hutt.on, 
of  Stanley  Place,  Chester,  England.  ; 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  493 

destitute  of  Ministers  of  any  Denomination,  except  two  Dutch 
and  two  Germans,  and  many  people  have  almost  lost  all  sense  of 
Christianity.  Indeed  in  the  large  County  of  Westchester  there 
is  only  good  Mr.  Wetmore  and  two  Dissenting  Teachers  that  are 
capable  of  Duty.  Northward  of  that  is  Col.  Philips'  mannour  in 
which  are  people  enough  for  a  large  Congregation,  without 
any  minister  at  all — The  Colonel  has  himself  built  a  neat,  small 
church,  and  set  off  land  for  a  glebe  which  will  be  considerable 
in  time,  and  he  and  his  tenants  are  very  desirous  of  a  minister, 
but  will  need  the  Society's  assistance."  a 

In  October  1761,  the  Rev.  John  Milner,  who  succeeded  Mr. 
Standard  as  rector  of  the  parish,  informs  the  Propagation  Soci- 
ety, "that  one  of  his  churches  is  a  new  edifice,  raised  by  the 
generosity  of  Col.  Frederick  Philips,  who  has  given  to  its  service 
a  fine  farm,  as  a  glebe,  consisting  of  two  hundred  acres,  upon 
which  he  purposes  to  build  a  good  house  for  a  minister."  b 

Mr.  Dibblee  writing  to  the  same  from  Stamford,  Conn.  Sep- 
tember 29th,  1761,  says  : — "Rev.  Sir, — August  19th.  At  the 
earnest  request  of  some  poor  people  in  Philipse's  Patent,  t 
preached  a  lecture  to  a  large  auditory  and  found  a  great  want  of 
a  regular  Clergyman  to  officiate  in  those  parts,  to  prevent  those 
confusions  in  religion,  which  hath  too  much  obtained,  and  there 
seems  a  general  good  disposition  to  the  Church,  if  they  could 
be  favored  with  a  settled  teacher."6 

The  Society's  abstracts  for  1764  say  : — "  The  Society  have  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  Col.  Frederick  Philips,  of  Philipsburgh  in 
this  Province,  dated  New  York,  October  23rd,  1764,  representing 
that  at  the  expence  of  himself  and  family,  there  is  erected  in 
the  Manor  of  Philipsburgh  a  handsome"stone  church,  complete- 
ly finished,  and  every  thing  necessary  for  the  decent  perform- 
ance of  divine  service  prepared,  that  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  from  the  church,  lie  has   laid  out   and  appropriated  two 


*  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham.     (Hawks.) 

''  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  Prop.  Soc.  for  1761. 

e  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  132.     (Hawks.) 


494  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  excellent  arable  and  wood  land,  for 
a  glebe  for  a  Minister  for  ever ;  and  that  he  fully  intends,  as 
soon  as  they  are  so  happy  as  to  have  a  worthy  clergyman  of  the 
Church  of  England,  settled  among  them,  to  build  him  a  genteel 
and  handsome  house  upon  the  said  glebe.  The  materials  for 
which  are  now  providing,  and  which  will  cost  in  building  at 
least  £400  currency.  He  therefore  earnestly  requests  the  Soci- 
ety to  send  them  a  Missionary  that  he  and  his  poor  tenants,  near 
one  hundred  and  fifty  families,  may  be  no  longer  destitute  of  the 
worship  of  the  Church  of  England,  which  as  British  subjects 
and  christians  they  petition  and  hope  for.  The  Board  taking 
this  letter  into  consideration,  have  appointed  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mun- 
ro,  a  gentleman  recommended  to  them  from  all  the  clergy  of  New 
Jersey,  and  the  Rev.  Messr's  Charlton,  Auchmuty,  Seabury, 
Milner  and  Neill,  met  in  Convention  at  Perth  Amboy,  Septem- 
ber 20th,  1764,  and  by  other  very  ample  Testimonials,  to  be  the 
Society's  Missionary  at  Philipsburgh,  with  a  salary-of  £30  per 
annum." 

The 

REV.  HARRY  MUNRO,  A.  M., 

was  the  eldest  son  of  Dr.  Robert  Munro  of  Dingwall,  in  Rosse, 
by  his  wife  Anne,  the  daughter  of  Dr.  John  Munro,  fourth  laird 
of  Teanourd.a  His  father  was  the  second  son  of  Alexander 
Munro,  laird  of  Killichoan  in  Rosshire  and  great  grandson  of 
Sir  Robert  Munro,  24th  baron  of  Foulis,  and  third  baronet. 

He  was  born  in  1730,— entered  St.  Andrew's  University 
when  about  sixteen  years  of  age,  went  through  the  regular 
course  and  took  the  usual  degrees  of  Bachelor  and  Master  of 
Arts.  Soon  after  graduating  he  commenced  the  study  of  Theology 
at  Edinburgh,  where  in  1753  and  1754  he  attended  the  Divinity 
School  of  the  University,  then  under  the  charge  of  Professors 
Gowdie  and  Hamilton.     In  1757  he  was  ordained  a  minister  of 


»  The  Arms  of  the  Munro's  of  Foulis,  Baronets,  are— or.  an  eagle's  head,  erasedi 
jU Crest,  an  eagle,  close,  ppr.  ;  over  the  crest  the  following  motto,  "  Dread  God." 


AND  CHURCH  OF   YONKERS.  495 

the  Scottish  Kirk,  and  on  the  12th  of  January,  in  the  same  year, 
was  commissioned  chaplain  to  the  1  st   Highland  battalion   of 
Foot,  then  commanded  by  the  Hon.  Col.  Archibald  Montgomery* 
afterwards  Earl  of    Eglintoun.      The  same  year    Mr.  Munro 
was  ordered  with  his  regiment  to  America,  and  accompanied  it 
to  its  destination,  Charleston,  South  Carolina.    The  next  year  he 
served  with  it  in  Gen.  Forbes  expedition  against  Fort  DuQ,ues- 
ne.     In  1759  ^hey  were  with  Gen.  Amherst  during  his  campaign 
in  northern  New  York,  and  present  at  the  taking  of  Ticondero- 
ga  and  Crown  Point.     In  1760  the  Regiment  joined  Gen.  Am- 
herst at  Oswego  and  took  part  in  his  expedition  against  Montre- 
al :  after  the  taking  of  which   city   Mr.    Munro  preached    the 
u  Thanksgiving  Sermon,"  to  the  victorious  army.    During  the  au- 
tumn of  that  year  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Halifax,  via  New 
York,  the  ships  sailed  from  New  York,  Nov,  20  inst.,  met  with 
bad  weather,  were  all  dispersed,  and  that  which  carried  Mr* 
Munro' s  regiment,  was  driven  nearly  to  Ireland.     The  course 
was  now  changed  to  the  Bahamas,  where  she  finally  arrived. 
There  they  remained  till  the  Greyhound  man  of  war  conveyed 
them  to  Charleston,  where  they  arrived  in  March,  1761.     From 
hence  they  were  immediately  ordered  to  join  Col.  Grant's  expe- 
dition against  the  Cherokees,  and  had  marched  some  distance, 
when  counter  orders  reached  them  to  return  and  proceed  to  New 
York,  and  join  Lord  Rollo's  forces  which  were  sent  against  and 
which  captured  the  Island  of  Dominica.     In  January,  1762,  they 
were  with  Gen.  Moncton  at  the  taking  of  Martinico.     Mr.  Mun- 
ro accompanied  his  regiment  upon  all  these  expeditions,  and 
performed  the  duties  of  his  office,  but  his  health  became  affec- 
ted, and  while  in  Martinico,  he  was  twice  attacked  with  yellow 
fever,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  never  entirely  recovered; 
so  that  when  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  Havana,  he  was  un- 
able to  join  it,  and  obtained  leave  to  return  to  New  York.     He 
resided  there  and  in  Philadelphia  and  New  Jersey,   till  the  au- 
tumn of  1764. 

During  this  period  his  theological  opinions  became  changed 
and  under  Dr.  Auchmuty's  influence  he  determined  to  receive 
orders  in  the  Church  of  England.      The  Doctor  thus  recom- 


496  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

mends  him  in  a  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Ven.  Society,, 
within  a  few  days  prior  to  his  embarkation  for  England. 

MR.  AUCHMUTY  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 

No  date,  probably  October,  1764. 
Rev.  Sir, 
K  One  principal  motive  of  my  writing  now,  is  to  recommend  to 

you  the  bearer  of  this,  the  Mr.  Harry  Munro,  a  gentleman  who 
has  served  as  chaplain  to  one  of  his  Majesty's  Highland  Regi- 
ments here,  during  the  late  war,  in  which  station  he  has  pre- 
served an  unblemished  character.     After  a  serious  and  studious 

nquiry  into  the  constitution  and  government  of  the  Church  of 
England,  he  (to  the  great  mortification  and  disappointment  of 
the  Dissenters,  who  were  fond  of  him)  declared  that  he  could 
not  in  conscience  continue  any  longer  amongst  them,  and  was 
fully  resolved  to  receive  Episcopal  ordination  as  soon  as  he  could. 
Upon  this  his  declaration  and  application  to  me,  after  having 
fully  satisfied  myself  in  regard  to  his  character,  which  is  fair 
and  unsullied,  and  his  abilities  and  prudent  conduct,  I  recom- 
mended him  to  one  Col.  Philipse,  a  gentleman  of  family  and 
fortune,  who  lives  about  twenty  miles  from  this  City,  as  a  proper 
person  for  his  purpose.  Col.  Philipse  having  built  a  church  some 
time  ago  upon  his  manor  and  being  very  desirous  of  establish- 
ing a  minister  of  the  Church  of  England  among  his  people,  ap- 
plied to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Province,  for  leave  to  bring 
in  a  bill  to  erect  part  of  his  said  manor  into  a  parish,  and  to  tax 
his  tenants  for  the  support  of  a  minister.  The  determination 
of  the  Assembly  with  a  copy  of  the  proposed  bill  the  Colonel 
does  himself  the  honor  to  send  you  by  Mr.  Munro.  The  Colo- 
nel upon  conversing  with  Mr.  Munro,  and  inquiring  into  his  char- 
acter, was  sensible  that  he  could  be  of  infinite  service  as  a  min- 
ister among  his  tenants,  and  the  adjacent  farmers — He  has 
therefore,  as  he  has  failed  in  his  application  to  the  Assembly  (ow- 
ing to  the  inveteracy  of  some  of  the  Dutch,  and  all  the  Dissen- 


AND  CHURCH  OP  YONKERS.  497 

ting  members)  taken  some  pains  and  procured  a  subscription 
paper,  in  which  the  subscribers  have  obliged  themselves  and 
their  heirs,  to  pay  annually,  so  much  money  towards  the  support 
of  a  minister.     Now  Sir,  considering  what  the  Colonel  has  done, 
as  will  appear  by  his  letter,  and  what  he  must  still  do  towards 
Mr.  Munro's  suppoi  t,  should  he  be  so  happy  as  to  have  him  re- 
turn to  him,  considering  the  cruel  and  unjust  treatment  he  has 
met  from  our  Assembly,  the   poverty  of  his  tenant-,  the  great 
want  of  a  worthy  clergyman  in  his  extensive  manor,  where  the 
far  greatest  part  of  the  people,  who  are  numerous,  will  immedi- 
ately join  the  Church — the    ignorance  the  poor  people  labor 
under  for  want  of  an  able  instructor,  and  lastly  the  great  expence 
he  has  been  at,  and  must  be  daily  at — considering  I  say  these 
things,    the  Colonel  flatters  himself  that  the  Venerable  Soci- 
ety will  assist  him  a  little,  and  open  a  new  Mission  in  that  part 
of  the  world,  which  is  greatly  wanted ;  there  being  no  Mission- 
ary, except   Mr.  Milner  at  Westchester,  who  has  employment 
enough  there,  and  at  Eastchester,  for  miles  along  the  banks  of 
Hudson's  River.     Should  the  Society  think  that  the  Assembly's 
refusing  to  pass  an  act  in  favor  of  the  Church,  tho'  requested  and 
petitioned  by  the  people,  that  were  to  be  taxed  by  said  act,  is  a 
very  great  hardship,  and  prejudice  to  the  Church  in  these  parts, 
and  conceive  it  proper  to  endeavor  to  obtain  an  act  of  Parliament 
similar  to  the  act  (a  copy  of  which  the  Colonel  encloses)  he  is 
willing  to  go  to  the  expence,  provided  it   does  not  exceed  one 
hundred  guineas.     If  a  request  for  such  an  act  should  be  thought 
advisable,  would  it  not  greatly  promote  the  interest  and  increase 
of  the  established  Church  in  these  parts,  if  every  County  at 
least,    through    the   Government,    as    it   is    a   King's   govern- 
ment,   and   not   a  Charter  one,    should    by   the    same   act   be 
erected   into   parishes.      I   need   but  mention  to  you  that  the 
Dissenters  even    to   this   day,    deny  that  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land  is   established  in   these  his  Majesty's  Colonies,   and  will 
deny   it,   and  avail    themselves   of    what  they  say  is  the  fact, 
till  an  act  of  Parliament  puts  it  beyond  all  doubt.     I  would  beg 
leave  further  to  observe  to  you,  that  if  Col.  Philipse  should  fail 
in  procuring  the  aid  and  assistance  of  the  Venerable  Society  in 
32 


9b  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

some  shape  or  other,  that  it  will  be  a  great  discouragement  to 
other  well  wishers  to,  and  promoters  of  the  Church  of  England 
in  these  parts.  I  decline  saying  any  thing  further  on  the  subject, 
as  Mr.  Munro  is  perfectly  well  acquainted  with  what  the  Colo- 
nel has  clone,  and  the  steps  that  have  been  taken  in  this  affair. 
Rev.  Sir,  Yours,  &c, 

Samuel    Auchmuty."1 

On  the  27th  of  January,  1765,  Mr.  Munro  was  ordained  dea- 
con in  Park  street  Chapel,  Grosvenor  Square.  London,  by  Dr. 
Philip  Young,  Bishop  of  Norwich,  acting  for  Dr.  Richard  Ter- 
rick,  Bishop  of  London,  and  on  the  10th  of  February  fol- 
lowing,'was  ordained  priest  by  Dr.  Edward — Bishop  of  Dro- 
more,  who  also  acted  at  Dr.  Terrick's  request.  The  next  day 
he  received  his  license  to  act  as  a  missionary  in  the  province  of 
New  York,  from  the  Bishop  of  London.  In  the  spring  of  1765, 
Mr.  Munro  returned  to  New  York,  and  took  charge,  as  we  have 
seen,  of  Yonkers  as  a  missionary  of  the  Venerable  Propagation 
Society,  on  Whitsunday  in  that  year. 

In  a  letter  dated  June  Sth,  1765,  he  acquaints  the  Society  : — 
"  that  on  his  arrival  at  his  mission,  he  found  every  thing  promi- 
sing and  agreeable,  a  neat  church  (always  kept  in  good  repair 
by  Col.  Frederick  Philipse  and  family)  and  a  decent  Congrega- 
tion, materials  already  for  a  parsonage,  the  glebe  well  fenced, 
plenty  of  wood,  and  a  sufficient  quantity  of  arable  land." 

About  nine  months  after  the  date  of  the  above  letter,  he  ad- 
dresses their  Secretary  as  follows  : — 

MR.  MUNRO  TO  THE  SECRETARY 

[extract.] 

"  Philipsburgh,  Feb.  1st,  1766. 
Rev  Sir, 
I  now  beg  leave  to  send  you  my  Notitia  Parochialis,  commen- 

»  New- York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham.  vol.  ii.  339  to  341,      (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OP  YONKERS.  499 

cmg  from  the  time  of  my  arrival  in  this  place.  It  was  not  in  my 
power  to  send  it  sooner,  for  this  Mission  being  yet  in  its  infancy 
and  the  people  for  the  most  part  Dissenters  of  various  denomina- 
tions and  living  at  a  great  distance  from  each  other,  it  took 
me  some  considerable  time  and  pains  to  unite  them,  and  get 
acquainted  with  the  state  of  religion  among  them,  beside  as 
the  Sacrament  of  our  Lord's  Supper  was  never  administered  in 
this  place,  according  to  the  form  prescribed  in  our  Liturgy,  I 
found  my  Church  destitute  of  a  communion  table,  cups,  chalice 
<fcc.  which  were  provided  only  last  Xmas,  when  I  performed 
that  solemn  and  important  part  of  my  duty,  for  the  first  time, 
and  these  obstacles  being  now  removed,  I  intend  to  miss  no  op- 
portunity of  administering  the  same,  as  often  as  the  circumstan- 
ces of  my  Congregation  will  permit,  particularly  on  the  Festi- 
vals of  Xmas,  Easter  Sunday  and  Whitsunday,  as  prescribed  in 
the  rubric. 

Ever  since  my  arrival  in  this  place  I  thought  it  a  duty  incum 
bent  on  me,  as  the  Society's  Missionary,  to  make  myself  particu- 
larly acquainted  with  the  state  of  religion  within  the  bounds 
of  my  Mission  ;  and  you  may  depend  upon  the  truth  of  the  fol- 
lowing particulars,  viz. :  The  manor  of  Philipsburgh  extends 
about  twenty  four  miles  in  length  on  the  East  side  of  Hudson's 
River,  containing  about  three  hundred  families.  The  people 
are  for  the  most  part  of  Dutch  extraction,  together  with  some  set- 
tlers from  New  England.  Their  religion  savours  much  of  that 
of  their  Mother  Country;  some  adhere  to  the  Church  of  Holland 
and  have  a  very  good  house  of  worship  on  Colonel  Philips  es- 
tate within  12  miles  of  my  church,  others  of  them  are  Inde- 
pendents, according  to  the  New  England  plan,  indeed,  to  speak 
more  properly,  according  to  no  plan  at  all,  seduced  by  every 
kind  ol  doctrine,  every  wandering  and  ethusiastic  spirit;  these, 
have  another  house  of  worship  about  four  miles  distance  from  the 
former.  There  are  likewise  some  Quakers  and  several  Anabap- 
tists, who  give  me  a  good  deal  of  trouble  and  uneasiness,  in 
opposing  their  erroneous  principles  with  which  even  some  of  the 
members  of  my  Congregation  are  deeply  tinctured  ;  besides 
these  there   are   many  of    them    who   profess  no  religion  and 


500  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

have    no  concern    about   il.      Those    that  attend  divine    ser- 
vice     constantly    and    regularly   in    my    church,    are    about 
twenty   families,   and   tho'   I   cannot   depend   on   all  these  as 
true  and  professed  members  of  the  Church  of  England,  some 
of  them  halting,  as  it  were  between  two  opinions,  yet  I  must  do 
them  the  justice  to  say,  they  are  a  good  sort  of  people  and  de- 
sirous to  learn.     Many  of  the  other  denominations  are  already 
so  far  reconciled  to  our  Church  as  to  come  frequently  to  hear 
me  preach,  so  that  my  church  is  often  crowded  with  dissenters  ; 
and  I  have  so  far  got  the  better  of  their  prejudices,  as  to  pre- 
vail with  some  of  them,  to  buy  common  prayer  books  and  bring 
their  children  to  be  baptized  by  me  ;  which  you  know  Sir,  is  not 
very  common  among  Dissenters.    From  these  and  several  other 
circumstances,  too  tedious  to  mention,  I  trust  that  through  the 
grace  of  God  my  labours  here  shall  not  be  in  vain  of  the  Lord. 
You  must  be  very  sensible,  Sir,  that  to  remove  and  disperse  the 
clouds  of  ignorance,  error  and  prejudice,  is  not  the  work  of  a  day 
or  a  year  only,  it  is  a  gradual  work,  and  requires  time  to  open 
the  eyes  of  the  understanding  and  bring  conviction  home  to  the 
soul,  it  is  God  alone  that  can  do  this  effectually,  and  to  him  I 
look  for  strength  in  his  own  work.     My  situation  is  not  without 
some   disadvantages,   the    members   of  our  Church    being   so 
few  and  surrounded  with  Dissenters  on  every  hand :  for  which 
reason  I  find  a  just  share  of  circumspection,  prudence  and  mod- 
eration, highly  necessary.  I  pray  God  to  endue  me  with  these  and 
all  othev  graces  that  are  necessary  in  the  faithful  discharge  of 
my  ministerial  office.     I  now  humbly  submit  it  to   you,   Sir, 
whether  it  would  not  be  proper  to  send  me  some  small  tracts  for 
the  use  of  my  Congregation,  confuting  the  errors  of  the  Qua- 
kers and  Anabaptists,  some  tracts  of  the  necessity  of  frequent 
communion,  together  with  Nelson,  on  the  Festivals,  or  abridgment 
of  it,  as  many  of  my  people  are  absolute  strangers  to    ur  Litur- 
gy and  Ceremonies  ;  most  part  of  the  books  already  granted,  have 
been  already  distributed  by  me,  according  to  your  desire,  among 
the  poorer  sort.     I  hope  you  will  also  send  me  the  usual  number 
of  books  for  the  Mission  Library,  the  number  I  have  already  re- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  501 

ceived  being  inconsiderable,  as  you  may  see  by  my  receipt  in  the 
hands  of  Mr.  Millar,  the  Bookseller. 

Rev.  Sir,  &c, 

Harry  Munro."1 

In  the  subjoined  extract,  he  informs  the  Society  that  his  Church 
was  growing  daily,  and  that  Dissenters  had  a  much  better  opin- 
ion of  her  than  formerly. 

MR.  MUNRO  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

[extract.] 

"  New-  York,  26th  Dec.  1766. 
Rev  Sir, 

Concerning-  the  state  of  my  Mission  I  have  the  pleasure  to  in- 
form you,  that  our  Infant  Church  is  growing  daily,  that  spirit 
of  contention  and  vain  disputation  about  indifferent  matters  in 
religion,  which  greatly  prevailed  upon  my  arrival  here,  among 
the  different  sects  and  parties,  is  now  almost  subsided,  and  very 
great  love  and  harmony  subsists  between  people  and  pastor.  I 
think  I  can  safely  say,  I  omit  no  opportunity  of  being  useful 
among  them,  both  in  public  and  private.  In  the  summer  season 
I  read  prayers  and  preach  twice  every  Sunday,  catechising  the 
children  regularly  after  the  second  lesson  in  the  evening,  and 
the  negroes  after  divine  service  is  ended.  My  success  in  this 
respect  is  very  visible ;  and  I  have  now  upwards  of  fifty  cate- 
chumens, who  can  say  our  Church  catechism  extremely  well. 

Among  many  grown  people  I  have  observed  a  spirit  of  infi- 
delity, and  indifference  about  religion  very  prevalent :  to 
remedy  this  evil.  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  go  among  them,  to 
converse  with  them,  and  make  myself  acquainted.  I  have 
visited  every  part  of  my  congregation,  and  gone  from  house  to 
house,  beseeching  them  in  Christ's  stead,  seriously  to  think  of 
the  necessity  of  religion,  and  to  be  reconciled  to  Goi ;  particu- 
larly, I  have  endeavoured  to  make  them  acquainted  with  the 
nature  and  design  of  the  two  sacraments.      In  this,  through 

New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Eulham,  vol.  ii.  393,  395,  (Hawks.) 


502  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH. 

God's  help,  I  have  had  good  success,  having  baptized  in  one 
family  six,  and  in  another  nine  persons  at  one  time.  This  sum- 
mer, I  baptized  seventeen  children  belonging  to  Dissenters,  and 
in  the  course  of  this  year,  I  have  baptized  in  all  forty-two.  which 
makes  seventy-five  since  my  arrival.  The  discipline  and  liturgy 
of  our  Church  daily  rises  in  esteem.  I  take  care  to  make 
the  articles  of  our  Church  known,  by  lectures  upon  them,  and  in 
private  I  teach  them  how  to  make  use  of  the  common  prayer, 
to  which  they  were  absolute  strangers. 

Many  of  them  have  assured  me  that  my  ministry  has  been 
blessed  to  them,  and  several  Dissenters,  I  have  heard  with  pleasure 
declare,  that  they  have  now  a  much  better  opinion  of  our  Church. 
I  am  very  sorry  however  to  find  them  so  backward  to  partake 
of  the  Holy  Sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  being  deterred  or 
kept  back  as  they  say,  from  an  apprehension  of  incurring  dam- 
nation. I  do  all  in  my  power  to  rectify  their  notions  concern- 
ing those  words  of  the  Apostle,  and  some  have  lately  assured 
me,  they  will  take  the  first  opportunity  of  coming  to  the  Holy 
Communion. 

Rev.  Sir,  &c, 

Harry  Munro."8 

In  1768  Mr.  Munro  resigned  the  Mission  at  Yonkers,b  and  on 

the  26th  of  March  accepted  a  call  to  St.  Peter's  Church,  Albany. 
He  was  likewise  chaplain  to  the  Fort  there,  an  appointment  he 
received  from  the  Bishop  of  London  on  the  20th  of  July,  1770. 
On  the  18th  of  April,  1773,  King's  College  conferred  on  him 
the  ad  eundem  degree  of  M.  A.  In  1774  he  attempted  to  set- 
tle his  patent  of  2000  acres  at  Hebron,  (in  what  is  now  the 
County  of  Washington,)  which  he  had  received  at  the  close  of 
the  French  war  as  military  bounty  land,  in  virtue  of  his  chap- 


1  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulliam,  vol.  ii.  349,  350.     (Hawks.) 
\X*  It  is  said  that  the  Ven.  Soc.  on  the  appointment  of  Mr  Munro,  claimed  a  bond  of 
£100  from   the   Hon.  Fred.  l?hilipse,  but  the  latter  merely  forwarded  a  subscription 
paper  amounting  to  ,£80,  and  that  Mr.  Munro  demanded  the  full  amount  of  original 
bond. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  503 

laincy.     He  failed  however  in  accomplishing  his  object  and  the 
next  year  abandoned  the, undertaking. 

Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolution  and  the  imprison- 
ment of  Loyalists  in  the  Fort  at  Albany  in  1770,  he  held  ser- 
vices for  and  preached  to  the  prisoners,  with  much  danger  to 
himself,  until  at  last  in  1777,  his  church  doors  were  closed 
against  him,  his  property  taken,  and  himself  made  prisoner. 
At  the  end  of  October  he  escaped  and  fled  for  protection  to 
Diamond  Island,  in  Lake  George,  a  British  post  under  command 
of  Major  Aubrey,  and  in  five  days  afterwards,  in  the  begining 
of  November,  joined  the  British  army  under  Gen.  Powell  at 
Ticonderoga,  from  whence  he  passed  into  Canada,  where  he 
was  immediately  appointed  Deputy  Chaplain  to  the  53d  and 
31st  Regiments,  in  which  capacity  he  served  about  six  or  eight 
months,  when  he  obtained  permission  from  Sir  Guy  Carleton  to 
go  to  England  for  the  purpose  of  settling  his  private  affairs,  and 
landed  at  Portsmouth  on  the  12th  of  September,  177S.  The 
Peace  determined  him  to  remain  there.  From  1778  to  1784-5 
he  resided  in  London  and  its  vicinity,  chiefly  engaged  in  the 
study  of  Hebrew  and  Italian,  his  health  not  permitting  him  to 
preach  except  occasionally. 

On  the  13th  of  January,  1782,  he  received  the  degree  of  Doc- 
tor in  Divinity  from  the  University  of  St.  Andrew's. 

About  17S7  he  removed  to  Scotland,  and  lived  for  some  time 
at  Perth,  but  being  attacked  with  paralysis  a  year  or  two  later 
he  made  Edinburgh  his  home,  where  he  died  on  the  30th  of 
May  1S01,  and  was  buried  in  the  west  church  yard  of  St.  Outh- 
bert's  parish  in  that  city.  By  his  first  wife,  who  was  the  wid- 
ow of  an  officer  of  his  own  regiment,  and  who  died  in  Decem- 
ber, 1750,  Mr.  Munro  had  one  daughter,  Elizabeth,  who  marry- 
ing against  her  father's  wishes  was  disowned  by  him,  and  died 
in  Canada.  He  married  the  second  time  a  Miss  Stockton  of 
Princeton,  of  the  distinguished  New  Jersey  family  of  that 
name,  who  died  within  a  year  of  her  marriage,  leaving  an  in. 
fant  which  survived  her  but  a  few  weeks. 

After  Mr.  Munro's  return  from  England  and  on  the  31st  of 
March,  1700,  he  married  for  his  third  wife  Miss  Eve  Jay  of  New 


504  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

York,  a  daughter  of  Peter  Jay  of  that  city,  and  sister  of  the 
Hon.  John  Jay.  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States.  By  this 
lady  he  had  only  one  child,  a  son,  born  January  20th,  1767,  who 
was  the  late  Peter  Jay  Munro,  one  of  the  eminent  lawyers  and 
°ne  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of  New  York  during  the  first 
quarter  of  the  present  century. 


^^^rr^ 


THE  REV.  LUKE  BABCOCK,  A.  M., 

who  succeeded  Mr.  Munro,  was  the  yongest  son  of  the  Hon. 
Joshua  Babcock.  Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Rhode 
Island. a  He  was  born  at  Westerly,  Narragansett.  July  6th,  1738, 
was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1755,  and  afterwards  com- 
menced the  study  of  divinity.  He  went  to  England  for  holy 
orders  in  1769.  and  upon  the  2d  of  February.  1770.  was  licensed 
by  the  Bishop  of  London  as  a  Missionary  to  New  England. 

The  Venerable  Society's  abstracts  for  1771,  say: — "The 
clergy  of  New  York  recommend  the  Rev.  Luke  Babcock,  who 
was  lately  ordained  here  by  the  Bishop  of  London  as  a  proper 
person  for  Missionary,  and  Colonel  Philips  having  requested 
that  the  missson  of  Philipsborough,  formerly  filled  by  Mr.  Munro 
should  be  renewed  :  and  the  Colonel  having  made  a  proper  pro- 
vision for  the  maintainanceof  a  minister,  with  the  assistance  of 
the  Society,  they  have  accordingly  appointed  Mr.  Babcock  to  the 
mission  with  a  salary  of  thirty  pouuds.b     In  1773  Mr.   Babcock 


*  The  £  i  Badcocks  were  originally  seated  in  the  Counties  of  Essex  and 
Middlesex,  and  in  ihe  early  part  of  the  seventeenth  century  emigrated  to  New  Eng- 
land. George  Babcock  died  at  Boston,  2d  of  September,  1695.  The  Arms  of  this 
family  are  : — sa.  on  a  pale  ar.  3  cocks,  gu.  Crest — a  stag  lodged  guardant  between 
two  I ;.  i.cii-.:     .  iuurel  in  orle,  all  proper. 

*  Printed  abstracts  of  Ven.  P«op.  Soc.  from  15  Feb.  1771  to  Feb.  1772 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  505 

acknowledged  the  good  effects  of  the  exemplary  behaviour  of 
Col.  Philips  and  his  family  to  whom  he  is  also  indebted  in  many 
other  acts."a  The  following  year  he  received  from  King's 
College  New  York,  the  ad  undem  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  Mr. 
Babcock  appears  to  have  laboured  here  with  very  good  success 
until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  when  he  open- 
ly espoused  the  cause  of  government. 

"  In  177-5  he  was  one  of  the  protestors  at  White  Plains  agains  t 
the  Whigs.  The  protest  was  signed  by  three  hundred  and 
twelve  persons  :  the  names  of  Frederick  Philips,  Isaac  Wilkins 
and  Samuel  Seabury,  precede  that  of  Mr  Babcock."b  Amidst  the 
succeeding  disorder  and  confusion,  we  find  him  thus  addressing 
the  Ven.  Society. 

MR.  BABCOCK  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

EXTRACT. 

"  Philipsburgh,  22d  March,  1776. 
Rev.  Sir, 

Soon  after  the  receipt  of  your  letter,  the  troubles  of  this  Coun- 
try were  multiplied.  There  was  the  fever  excited  in  men's 
minds  by  the  late  battle  of  Lexington,  then  the  affairs  of  Bun- 
ker's Hill  next  came,  and  the  Continental  Fast,  which  may  be 
considered  as  a  trial  by  ordeal  of  the  ministers  of  the  Church 
of  England  in  America.  Most  of  the  clergy  in  this  country  (I 
am  sorry  to  say  it.)  opened  their  churches  on  that  day  ;  I  do  not 
pretend  to  justify  or  condemn  their  conduct;  it  certainly  would 
have  been  in  opposition  to  my  conscience  had  I  done  the  same. 
I  thought  and  still  think,  if  to  becoming  a  partaker  in  the  mea- 
sures now  so  much  in  vogue,  I  should  add  the  guilt  of  implo- 
ring God's  blessing  on  them,  I  should  not  only  be  found  fighting 
against  God,  but  should  also  be  guilty  of  the  shocking  absurdity 
of  bogging  God  to  fight  against  himself. 

My  refusal  to  bow  down  before  an  altar  the  Congress  had 
raised,  made  it  necessary  to  confine  myself  to  my  own  parish  till 


u  Printed  abstracts  of  V.  P.  S.  from  1!)  Feb.  1773  to  18  Feb.  1774. 
b  Sabine's  Hist,  of  the  Loyalists. 

I 


506  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  packets  were  discontinued  ;  and  I  have  been  threatened  with 
mutilation  and  death  if  I  go  into  New  England  .1  hope  these 
circumstances  will  avail  with  the  Ven.  Society,  in  so  far  as  to 
excuse  my  past  omissions. 

Since  my  last  act,  the  state  of  this  mission,  if  our  New  Eng- 
land and  some  other  troublesome  neighbors  would  suffer  us  to 
remain  in  peace,  would  be  nearly  similar  to  what  I  then  reported 
it,  (indeed  the  people  of  this  province  in  general  are  forced  into 
the  present  unhappy  contest)  but  as  things  are  circumstanced,  I 
could  hardly  expect  it  should  be  better  than  it  is  at  present.  I 
have  not  failed  to  admonish  the  people,  and  in  my  case  plainly, 
repeatedly  and  publicly,  for  the  year  past,  that  rebellion  will 
lead  its  abettors  to  confusion  in  this  world  and  everlasting  dis- 
traction in  the  next. 

I  am,  Rev.  Sir, 

Luke  Babcock."3- 

In  1776  Mr.  Babcock  reported,  "that  he  had  baptized  fifteen 
in  the  course  of  the  year  and  buried  some."b 

The  following  year  he  was  seized  (says  Dr.  Hawkins)  by  the 
insurgents,  his  papers  were  examined,  and  because  he  answered 
affirmatively  to  the  question,  whether  he  considered  himself 
bound  by  his  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  king,  he  was  deemed  an 
enemy  to  the  liberties  of  America,  and  ordered  to  be  kept  in 
custody.  After  four  month's  confinement,  his  health  gave  way 
and  he  was  then  dismissed  with  a  written  order  to  remove  within 
the  lines  of  the  King's  army."  He  with  difficulty  got  home  in 
a  raging  fever  and  died. 

Mr.  Inglis  writing  to  the  Secretary  from  New  York,  March 
27th,  1777,  says; — "Rev.  Sir, — of  this  province  Mr.  Seabury 
and  Mr.  Beardsly  have  been  obliged  to  fly  from  their  missions,  the 
first  resides  in  this  city.  These  calamities  have  been  the  princi- 
pal cause  of  the  death  of  one  very  worthy  missionary,  Mr.  Babcock, 
of  Philipsburgh.   This  clergyman  was  not  only  exemplary  in  his 


■  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii,   57G-7      (Hawks.) 

b  Printed  abstracts  of  V.  P.  S.  from  16th  of  February  1776  to  2lst  of  February,  1777 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  507 

life  and  assiduous  in  his  pastoral  duty,  but  distinguished  by  his 
steady  loyalty  and  warm  attatchment  to  our  constitution  in 
Church  and  State.  This  naturally  marked  him  out  as  an  object 
of  the  highest  resentment  to  the  rebels,  who  took  him  prisoner  and 
detained  him  about  five  months.  The  hardships  and  distress 
of  mind  he  suffered  during  his  confinement,  brought  on  him  a 
fit  of  sickness  which  induced  the  rebels  to  dismiss  him.  He 
was  carried  home  with  the  utmost  difficulty,  but  died  in  a  few 
days  after,  leaving  a  widow  and  three  children  in  very  indi- 
gent circumstances.  His  death  happened  the  latter  end  of 
February — the  precise  day  I  do  not  recollect.  His  widow  beg- 
ged that  I  would  write  to  you  and  request  the  Society's  leave  for 
her  to  draw  on  their  Treasurer  for  six  month's  salary  after 
the  time  of  Mr.  Babcock's  death.  I  am  informed  that  such 
indulgences  have  been  sometimes  allowed  by  the  Society  ;  and 
I  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  that  the  indulgence  cannot  be  granted 
to  objacts  more  deserving,  and  perhaps  in  more  want  of  it."a 

Mr.  Seabury  writing  to  the  same,  March  29th,  1777,  observes  : 
— "I  am  greatly  grieved  to  inform  the  Society  of  the  death  of 
their  very  worthy  Missionary,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Babcock.  The  lat- 
ter end  of  October  he  was  seized  by  the  rebels  at  his  house  and 
carried  off  to  the  Provincial  Congress  at  Fishkill.  His  papers 
and  sermons  were  also  seized  and  examined,  but  as  nothing  ap- 
peared on  which  they  could  ground  any  pretence  for  detaining 
him,  he  was  asked  whether  he  supposed  himself  bound  by  his 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  King,  upon  his  answering  in  the  affir- 
mative, he  was  deemed  an  enemy  to  the  liberties  of  America 
and  ordered  to  be  kept  in  custody.  About  the  middle  of  Febru- 
ary he  was  taken  sick,  and  as  his  confinement  had  produced  no 
change  in  his  sentiments,  he  was  dismissed  with  a  written  order 
to  remove  within  ten  days  within  the  lines  of  the  King's  army, 
being  adjudged  a  person  too  dangerous  to  be  permitted  to  con- 
tinue where  his  influence  might  be  exerted  in  favor  of  legal 
government.    He  got  home  with  difficulty  in  a  raging  fever,  and 


*  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  (Hawks  ) 


503  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

delirious.  In  this  stale  he  continued  about  a  week  (the  greatest 
part  of  the  time  delirious)  and  then  died,  extremely  regretted. 
Indeed  I  know  not  a  more  excellent  man  and  I  fear  his  loss, 
particularly  in  that  mission,  will  scarcely  be  made  up."a 

This  excellent  minister  died  in  the  old  parsonage,  on  Tuesday, 
the  10th  day  of  February,  1777.  His  remains  were  interred  in 
the  family  vault  of  the  Van  Cortlandts. 

In  his  MS.  biographies  of  the  clergy,  Mr.  Fowler  says : — 
"  Mr.  Babcock  bore  the  character  of  a  good  preacher,  a  warm 
friend,  an  affectionate  husband  and  an  indulgent  parent.  I  be- 
came well  acquainted  with  his  family  after  his  death,  and  was 
the  first  person  that  read  prayers  and  sermons  in  the  church  at 
Yonkers  after  the  Revolutionary  War,  A.  U.  1784.  I  prepared  the 
way  for  the  settlement  of  a  clergyman,  by  collecting  the  congre- 
gation."13 

His  wife  was  Grace  Isaacs,  a  cousin  of  Judge  Isaacs  of  New 
Haven.  His  children  were  Cortlandt,  Frederick,  the  father  of 
the  late  Mrs.  W.  L.  Morris,  of  Wave  Hill,  Yonkers,  and  a  daugh- 
ter named  Henrietta.  His  eldest  brother,  Col.  Harry  Babcock} 
was  a  brilliant  and  extraordinary  man,  formed  by  nature  and 
education  to  be  the  flower  of  his  family,  and  an  ornament  to  the 
country  which  gave  him  birth. "c  There  is  a  fine  portrait  of  the 
Rev.  Luke  Babcock  in  the  possession  of  Mrs.  Babcock,  of  St. 
Mark's  Place,  New-York.  He  is  represented  in  gown  andjbands, 
his  head  reclining  on  his  right  arm,  which  rests  upon  a  book. 
There  is  something  extremely  solemn  and  placid  in  his  counte- 
nance, corresponding  with  his  benevolent  mind. 

THE  REV.  GEORGE  P ANTON,  A.  M., 

was    the   next    minister.     He  was   a  native  d    of  this  country 


•  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  617.     (Hawk9.) 

b  Fowler's  MS.  Biog.  vol.  iv.  25G-7. 

1  Updike's  Hist,  of  the  Narragansett  Church,  p.  312. 

d  The  Pantons  were  formerly  seated  in  the  county  of  Sussex,  England.  Their  Arms 
granted  by  patent  in  1165  are  :— gu.  two  bars  ar,  on  a  canton  az,  a  dolphin,  embowed 
or.tCrest— a  dolphin  dawrient.  or.  betw.  two  wings  gu.  each  charged  with  as  many 
bars  ar. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  YONKE^8-  509 

but  b-ed  at  the  University  of  Aberdeen  in  Scotland,  where  he 
took  the  usual  degrees  of  Bachelor  and  Master  of  Arts,  [n  1774 
he  obtained  the  latter  honor  of  King's  College,  New- York.  He 
was  probably  licensed  by  the  Bishop  of  London  to  officiate  in 
the  Plantations  in  1773,  and  was  for  some  time  the  Society's 
missionary  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  as  appears  by  the  following 
notice  in  their  abstracts  for  1777  : — "  A  letter  from  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Panton,  the  Society's  late  missionary  at  Trenton,  dated  New 
York,  Sept.  5th,  1777,  acquaints  them  with  his  having  sent  an 
accurate  state  of  his  mission  in  1775,  which  never  reached  the 
Society.  He  gives  a  very  satisfactory  account  of  his  own  con- 
duct. When  the  public  service  of  the  Church  had  been  sus- 
pended by  an  act  of  Vestry,  he  complied  with  the  solicitations 
of  Col.  Philips'  family,  (who  had  been  sent  prisoner  into  Con- 
necticut) by  residing  at  Philipsburgh  till  he  had  an  opportunity 
of  returning  to  Trenton  with  the  Royal  army  in  December,  1776. 
The  unfortunate  circumstances,  which  soon  after  involved  that 
place  and  province  in  the  greatest  distress,  obliged  him  to  aban- 
don it,  and  leave  every  thing  behind  him,  and  as  there  is  no 
probability  that  the  mission  of  Trenton  will  be  revived,  the  So- 
ciety have  at  his  request  appointed  him  to  the  mission  of  Phil- 
ipsburgh, vacant  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Babcock.a  Mr.  Panton  con- 
tinued in  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duty  until  1782,  when 
he  could  no  longer  exercise  his  ecclesiastical  functions.  In  a 
list  of  missionaries,  who  were  unemployed,  and  to  whom  the 
Society  continued  to  pay  salaries  in  1783,  occurs  the  name  of 
Mr.  Panton,b  (formerly  missionary  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey,)  of 
Nova  Scotia,  with  a  salary  of  thirty  pounds  per  annum.0  In 
1785,d  the  Rev.  Geo.  Panton  was  missionary  at  Yarmouth  and 

■  Printed  abstracts  of  V.  P.  Soc.  from  21st  Feb.  1777  to  90  Feb.  1778. 

1  In  July,  178.'?,  Geo.  Panton  was  at  New  York  and  one  of  tlie  25  loyalists  who 
petitioned  for  lands  in  Nova  Scotia. — Sabine's  American  Loyalists. 

•Printed  abstracts  of  V.  P.  Soc.  for  1783. 

d Printed  abstracts  of  V.  P.  Soc.  for  1785.  Chas.  Pinckney,  Esq.  in  a  letter  to  the 
author,  dated  Yarmouth,  N.  S.  says  :— 'The  Rev.  Geo.  Panton,  never  was  in  Yar- 
mouth, but  about  1785,  was  at  Shelbourn,  a  place  about  70  miles  from  Yarmouth, 
and  that  he  went  from  there  to  England,  which  is  all  they  know  about    him." 


5lo  history  of  the  parish 

places  adjacent  in  Nova  Scotia.  In  17S6  he  obtained  leave  to 
visit  England,  where  he  finally  settled  and  died. 

During  Mr.  Panton's  ministry,  the  country  was  very  much 
disturbed  by  the  ravages  of  the  American  Revolution,  and  this 
parish  particularly,  being  alternately  occupied  by  the  British  and 
American  forces,  felt  the  sad  effects  of  the  war.  Some  of  the 
congregation  were  openly  attached  to  the  British  cause,  some  as 
decidedly  in  favor  of  the  measures  of  Congress,  and  others  vi- 
brating in  their  minds,  and  undecided  what  course  to  pursue  in 
the  melancholy  struggle. 

There  is  a  very  elevated  ridge  of  land,  in  the  eastern  part  ot 
the  parish,  called  Valentine's  Hill,  which  was  very  frequently 
resorted  to,  as  a  commanding  station,  by  Gen.  Washington  and 
his  army,  and  when  the  Americans  left  it,  it  was  often  occupied 
by  the  British  forces. 

In  various  other  parts  of  the  parish  also,  and  in  the  fields  ad- 
joining the  old  parsonage  house,  the  British  cavalry  were  sta- 
tioned for  some  time.  The  distress  of  the  people  in  this  vicinity 
was  greater  than  is  commonly  imagined.  It  is  said  by  the  old 
inhabitants,  that  frequently  the  wealthiest  farmers  were  deprived 
by  the  plunders  of  the  army,  of  what  was  absolutely  necessary 
for  supplying  the  daily  wants  of  their  families. 

The  Church  suffered  also  from  various  causes :  the  people 
became  depraved  and  loose  in  their  morals,  from  the  influence 
of  the  example  of  the  armies  around  them,  and  from  the  want 
of  an  opportunity  to  acquire  even  a  common  education. 

Colonel  Philipse  who  had  always  been,  as  we  have  seen,  the 
most  liberal  patron  of  the  Church,  and  who  for  a  while,  it  is 
said,  was  attached  to  the  American  cause,  was  finally  induced 
by  the  persuasion  of  his  most  intimate  friends,  and  of  his  family, 
to  favor  the  British.  As  soon  as  this  was  known,  he  was  taken 
by  the  Americans  to  the  place  of  imprisonment  which  they  pro- 
vided in  Fishkill  for  those  whom  they  considered  injurious  to 
their  cause.  While  enjoying  a  temporary  release  from  this  con- 
finement, that  he  might  visit  his  family  at  Philipsburgh,  he 
was  told  by  some  designing  persons  among  the  Whigs  that  there 
was  a  small  company  of  men  above,  who  were  about  to  come 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  5ll 

down   and  make  a  violent  attack  upon  him  and  his  family. 
Terrified  by  these  false  assertions,  he  fled  to  the  British  in  New 
York.     The  consequence  of  this  desertion  was,  that  his  whole 
manor,  which  was  very  valuable,  was  confiscated  and  sold  by 
the  American  Commissionersof  Forfeiture,  appointed  by  the  State. 
After  the  confiscation,  he  and  his  family  soon  sailed  for  Eng- 
land, and  the  Church  was  deprived  of  its  most  liberal  benefac- 
tors.    However,  the  State  of  New  York  very  generously  ordered 
that  all  the  land  then  in  the  possession  of  the  widow  ot  Luke 
Babcock,  should  be  reserved  for  the  purpose  for  which  it  was 
designed,    and  that  the  church,  with  two  acres  of  land   adjoin- 
ing it  should  be  conveyed  to  the  Trustees  of  said  Church.    This 
act  was  first  passed  the  1st  of   May,  1786,  but  not  being  carried 
into  speedy  execution    by  the   Commissioners,  another  act  was 
passed  the  3d  of  April.  1792  : — "That  all  the  estate,  right,  title, 
interest,  claim  and  demand  of  the  people  of  the  State  of  New-York , 
in  and  to  the  said  parsonage  or  glebe,  shall  be  and  hereby, are 
granted  to  and  vested  in  the  Corporation  of  the  Episcopal  Church 
in  the  Town  of  Yonkers,  County  of  Westchester  and  State  of 
New- York,  and  their  successors  forever,  for  the  use  of  said  Cor- 
poration.'' 

As  the  attention  of  the  people  was  called  off  from  the  Church 
by  the  din  of  surrounding  war,  and  as. the  support  annually 
received  from  England  by  the  Episcopal  clergy,  was  cut  off  by 
the  seperation  of  this  country  from  England,  the  parish  was 
neglected  for  some  time  after  the  withdrawal  of  Mr.  Panton  in 
1782.  No  clergyman  was  called  and  settled  for  seven  years. 
During  this  period,  the  parsonage  continued  to  be  occupied  by 
the  widow  of  Mr.  Babcock,  with  the  consent  of  the  Trustees  of 
the  Church,  and  the  church  was  occupied  only  occasionally  by 
a  preacher  of  the  gospel.  Ministers  of  different  denominations 
were  permitted  to  take  the  pulpit  during  this  melancholy  scene 
of  disorder  and  of  distress.  About  this  time,  the  minister  of  the 
Dutch  Church  at  Tarrytown,  two  miles  distant,  having  made 
some  proselytes  in  the  parish,  attempted  to  obtain  possession  of 
the  church,  and  annex  it  to  his  own  ;  but  these  schemes  proved 
abortive  :  Mr.  Van  Cortlandt,  a  descendant  of  Frederick  Phil  ipse, 


512  HISTOEY  OF  THE  PARISH 

first  lord  of  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  procured  an  extract  of 
Mr.  Philipse's  will,  from  which  it  appeared  that  the  propeity 
was  given  for  the  building  of  an  Episcopal  Church,  and  other 
documents  being  produced,  proved  that  the  Church  had  been 
built  in  compliance  with  the  will,  and  that  no  other  service  had 
ever  been  regularly  performed  in  it.  This  fortunately  determined 
the  point  in  debate,  though  for  a  short  time  it  left  a  dissatis- 
faction in  the  minds  of  some  of  the  people. 

The  principal  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  were  de- 
scendants from  Dutch  families,  still  this  disaffection  to  the  Epis- 
copal Church  soon  subsided. 

According  to  an  historical  sketch  of  the  parish,  given  by  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Cooper, we  learn  :-"  That  the  Methodists  took  advantage 
of  the  dissentions  then  subsisting,  made  great  inroads  and  col- 
lected a  number  of  adherents.  Some  of  these  having  died  and 
removed,  and  others  having  returned  to  the  good  old  path  from 
whence  they  had  been  led  astray,  they  were  reduced  to  a  very 
small  number,  so  that  the  chief  of  the  inhabitants  afterwards 
professed  the  Church." 

In  1784,  Mr.  Fowler  (afterwards  the  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler) 
collected  the  congregation,  in  the  capacity  of  a  lay  reader. 
This  individual  informs  us,  "  that  the  congregation  had  been 
broken  up  by  the  war,  and  was  for  some  time  destitute  of  a  reg- 
ular pastor.  Their  minister,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Babcock,  died  some 
time  before  the  Peace  took  place.  His  widow  and  childeen  were 
still  living  in  the  parish,  and  very  active  in  persuading  people 
to  attend  the  services  of  the  Church.  I  read  prayers  and  ser- 
mons there  with  great  pleasure,  and  never  saw  any  other  con- 
duct in  the  assembly  than  that  which  was  truly  christian  and 
pious.  [  could  go  there  but  occasionally,  as  I  was  then  princi^ 
p-lly  engaged  as  lay  reader  at  New  Rochelle,  and  in  the  mean 
time  had  charge  of  a  school  in  that  place."a 


a  Fowler's  MS.  Biog.  No.  iii.  444-5.  About  this  period,  it  is  said,  that  Dr.  Black- 
well  performed  services  in  this  parish,  as  a  lay  reader.  He  died  at  Philadelphia, 
12th  Feb.,  l«3l,  aged  84. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKER&;  513 

The  parish  remained  destitute  of  regular  preaching  until  th« 
year  1789,  when  the 

REV.  ELTAS  COOPER,  A.  M., 

succeeded  Mr.  Panton.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  the  Rev.  War- 
mold  us  Kuypers  of  Holland,  a  Lutheran  minister,  who  removed 
to  this  country  and  was  settled  for  some  time  in  New  Jersey. 
Mr.  Cooper  was  born  at  Amsterdam,  Holland,  on  the  5th  of 
January,  1758  ;  received  his  early  education  at  Hackensack 
Academy,  under  the  tuition  of  Dr.  Wilson  ;  studied  theology  at 
New  York  ;  was  ordained  Deacon  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Samuel 
Provoost,  in  St.  Andrew's  Church,  Staten  Island,  Sunday,  the 
21st  of  June,  1789,  and  Priest  by  the  same,  at  East  Chester,  on 
the  festival  of  St.  Barnabas,  June  11th,  1790.  He  immediately 
took  charge  of  this  parish,  where  he  long  remained  to  the  great 
joy  of  his  people.  In  1804,  he  makes  report  to  the  Convention 
of  eighty-six  families,  as  belonging  to  the  Church,  fourteen  bap- 
tisms, forty  communicants,  eight  marriages  and  four  funerals. 
Mr.  Cooper  was  not  inattentive  to  the  interests  of  the  Church  in 
East  Chester  and  other  places,  as  appears  by  his  reports.  Dur- 
ing the  period  of  his  rectorship,  and  owing  to  his  untiring  exer- 
tions, the  present  chapel  of  St.  John's,  Tuckahoe,  was  erected. 
In  1811,  he  reported  to  the  Convention  : — "  That  though  death 
has  reduced  the  number  of  communicants  since  the  last  return, 
there  are  hopes  (from  present  appearances)  that  the  numuer  will 
soon  be  augmented.  The  church  has  been  better  attended  of 
late,  than  for  two  years  past,  and  the  seriousness  and  attention 
exhibited,  show  that  religion  is  reviving  among  us." 

During  the  rectorship  of  Mr.  Cooper,  the  Church  increased 
quite  rapidly  in  the  number  of  her  members,  and  in  her  influence 
over  the  community.  The  parish  gradually  recovered  from  the 
effects  of  the  Revolution,  became  more  engaged  in  spiritual  things, 
and  by  its  continual  prosperity  gave  a  convincing  evidence  of 
the  benign  effects  produced  by  the  restoration  of  peace  and 
harmony.  Though  the  rector  had  to  struggle  with  many  seri- 
ous difficulties  and  discouragements,  some  of  them  originating 
indirectly  from  the  Revolution,  and  some  from  sources  which  are 
33 


514  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

found  in  too  many  other  parishes,  still  he  had  the  cordial  affec- 
tion and  liberal  support  of  a  few  of  his  parishioners — the  respect 
and  esteem  of  all. 

Among  these  cordial  friends  and  liberal  supporters,  the 
sames  of  Augustus  and  Frederick  Van  Cortlandt  stand 
foremost.*  They  were  for  a  number  of  years  constant  at- 
tendants on  the  services  and  ordinances  of  the  Church  and 
in  their  exemplary  deportment  gave  evidences,  that  their  libe- 
rality and  friendship  arose  from  the  purest  and  most  distin- 
guished motives.  Frederick  Van  Cortlandt  in  his  will  left  to  the 
Church  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  the  income 
of  which  was  to  assist  in  supporting  the  clergyman  of  said 
Church.  As  far  back  as  the  minutes  of  the  vestry  were  kept, 
which  is  to  the  year  1787,  we  find  his  name  among  the  promi. 
Bent  men  in  the  Church,  and  among  its  officers  he  continued  to 
act  for  thirteen  years  or  more  until  his  last  illness.  It  is  probable 
Jhat  he  was  an  active  and  generous  member  of  the  congregation 
some  time  before  the  year  1787.  At  that  time  his  brother  Augustus 
Yan  Cortlandt  and  Isaac  Honeywell,  Jim.,  gave  a  notification 
Ho  the  congregation  (which  had  become  dispersed  during  the 
•war)  to  meet  for  the  purpose  of  choosing  trustees  of  said  Church. 
The  term  of  "  trustees"  was  then  used,  and  the  term  wardens 
and  vestrymen  not  substituted  until  the  year  1795,  when  the 
name  of  St.  John's  Church  was  also  added.  Augustus  Van 
Cortlandt  was  then  chosen  one  of  the  trustees,  and  afterwards 
annually  elected  a  warden  or  vestryman  for  upwards  of  twenty 
years.  He  was  particularly  attentive  in  preserving  the  minutes 
of  the  vestry,  in  keeping  order  and  regularity  in  all  the  elections 
of  the  congregation,  and  in  endeavoring  to  advance  the  pros- 
perity of  the  Church  by  the  influence  of  his  good  character,  as 
well  as  by  his  pecuniary  aid.  Exemplary  in  his  private  deport- 
ment, charitable  and  kind  to  the  poor,  liberal  to  the  Church,  and 


aThese  gentlemen  were  the  sons  of  Frederick  Van  Cortlandt  and  Frances  Jay, 
and  grandsons  of  Jacobus  Van  Cortlandt  aud  Eva  Philipse,  daughter  of  Frederick 
Philipse  lord  of  tho  manor  of  Philipsburgh 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  515 

a  steady  friend  of  its  ministers,  he  gained  the  esteem  and  affec- 
tion of  all  who  knew  him,  and  particularly  of  those  who  took 
a  lively  interest  in  the  prosperity  of  the  Church.  Before  his 
decease  he  ordered  in  his  will,  that  five  hundred  dollars  should 
be  given  from  his  property  (which  was  very  large)  to  the  ves- 
try of  the  Church,  and  be  kept  at  interest  for  twenty-one  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  the  interest  and  principal  were  to 
be  put  out  in  one  sum,  and  the  interest  of  it  to  go  to  the  support 
of  the  clergyman  of  this  parish.  He  died  in  the  year  1824, 
upwards  of  ninety-six  years  of  age. 

During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Cooper,  the  church  edifice  received 
considerable  repairs,  among  which  was  a  new  and  handsome 
steeple.  The  money  for  this  purpose  was  raised  by  the  gift  of 
three  hundred  dollars  from  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  and  by 
the  subscriptions  of  the  parishioners.  These  repairs  were  made 
in  the  year  1804.  A  short  time  after,  the  Church  received  a 
legacy  of  one  hundred  dollars  from  Alpheus  Pierson,  and  some 
smaller  legacies  from  James  Valentine,  Shadrach  Taylor  and 
Isaac  Lawrence.* 

Mr.  Cooper  was  first  called  for  a  short  time,  and  in  a  few 
years  after  instituted  to  the  rectorship.  Though  his  salary  was 
small,  he  still  persevered  in  his  arduous  labors  and  succeeded, 
under  the  divine  blessing,  in  increasing  the  number  of  the  con- 
gregation and  of  the  Church,  as  also  in  gradually  reforming  this 
district  of  country.  He  continued  the  beloved  pastor  of  this 
Church  for  twenty  seven  years,  a  much  longer  period  than  any  of 
his  predecessors,  and  was  removed  from  his  labors  on  earth  to  his 
reward  in  heaven,  on  Tuesday,  January  16th,  1816.  His  re- 
mains were  interred  in  the  burying  ground  belonging  to  this 
parish. b 

The  esteem  and  affection  which  his  congregation  expressed 


*  Among  other  zealous  members  of  the  Church  at  this  period,  deserves  to  be 
mentioned  the  names  of  Frederick  Underbill,  Isaac  Odell,  John  Warner,  John 
Bowne,  Isaac  Vermilyea  and  Elijah  Valentine. 

b  Hi§  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  his  old  friend,  the  Rev.  Isaac  Wilkins,  D.  D. 


516  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

for  him  may  be  perceived  by  reading  his  tablet,  which,  after  his 
decease  they  erected  in  the  church. 

He  married  Sarah  Roome,  Sept.  27th,  1780,  who  died  May  3d, 
1811.  By  this  lady  he  had  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  viz  : 
Warmoldus,  now  living  in  Brooklyn.  Gerardus,  M.  D.,  who 
died  in  1832.  Frederick  Augustus,  who  died  29th  December, 
1817.  William  Henry,  died  August  30th,  1817.  Elizabeth 
Joanna,  who  married  the  Hon.  Aaron  Vark,  of  Yonkers,  and 
Aleta  Roome. 

The  following  is  a  brief  sketch  given  of  his  character  by 
the  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler,  in  his  biographical  notices  of  the 
clergy  : — "I  cannot  tell  in  what  country  this  worthy  clergyman 
was  born,  but  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  he  was  a  native  of 
Germany.  His  father  was  a  respectable  Lutheran  minister,  and 
when  I  knew  him  he  was  settled  in  a  part  of  New  Jersey,  and 
not  far  from  the  North  River.  I  have  been  told  he  was  highly 
esteemed  by  his  people,  and  had  several  sons  who  became 
preachers  of  the  gospel,  (one  or  two  in  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church,  and  one  or  two  in  the  Dutch  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  city  of  New  York,)  and  bore  a  very  respectable  character, 
both  as  a  clergyman  and  as  a  christian.  He  spelt  his  name 
after  the  German  manner  Kuyper,  which  his  brother  Elias  was 
the  translator  of  into  English." 

"  Mr.  Cooper  was  a  married  man,  and  had  several  children. 
He  was  a  good  looking  person,  plain,  but  gentlemanly  in  his 
manners,  and  candid  in  his  conversation.  In  short,  he  was  a 
pious,  zealous,  active  and  orthodox  minister  of  Christ,  and 
peculiarly  well  calculated  for  the  parish  where  he  officiated. 
He  died  in  the  year  1816,  greatly  lamented  by  his  parishioners. 
His  suavity  of  manners  and  rectitude  of  conduct  throughout 
the  whole  course  of  his  clerical  life,  endeared  him  to  all  who 
knew  him.  I  loved  him  in  life,  and  could  not  forget  him  in  death. 
He  always  treated  me  like  a  brother,  and  I  have  esteemed  my  ac- 
quaintance with  him  a  great  blessing.  He  was  regular  as  clock 
work  in  all  his  vocations,  and  his  attention  to  his  public  concerns 
was  reduced  to  a  most  exact  method.     For  some  years  Mr.  Coo- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  51.7 

per  taught  a  school,  and  met  with  good  success  in  that  arduous 
undertaking."* 

The  parish  having  become  vacant  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Cooper, 
the 

REV.  WILLIAM  POWELL,  A.  M., 

took  pastoral  charge  of  the  same  in  May,  1816.  In  the 
fall  of  that  year,  he  makes  report  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  : — 
"  That  with  regard  to  the  state  of  the  parish,  it  may  in  gene- 
ral be  observed,  that  the  services  ol  the  Church  are  extremely 
well  attended,  and  that  the  people  evince  a  sincere  attachment 
to  her  doctrines  and  liturgy." 

During  his  ministry  the  congregation  continued  large,  and 
the  church  edifice  underwent  considerable  repairs.  He  resigned 
his  charge,  however,  the  10th  of  August,  1819,  having  officiated 
here  only  a  few  months  over  three  years.  Mr.  Powell  subse- 
quently removed  to  Westchester,  where  he  died  in  1849.      The 

REV.  JOHN  GRIGG,  A.  M. 

succeeded  Mr.  Powell  in  1820.  Two  years  after,  the  number 
of  communicants  had  increased  from  fifty-six  to  eighty-eight. 
In  the  month  of  August,  1823,  Mr.  Grigg  resigned  his  charge. 

On  the  17th  of  October  of  the  same  year,  the  vestry  gave  a 
call  to  the 

REV.  JOHN  WEST,  A.  M., 

to  take  care  of  the  parish  for  one  year,  which  was  accepted. — 
The  term  of  his  call,  however,  was  afterwards  extended  to  four 
years.  He  resigned  the  rectorship  in  1828,  and  was  succeeded 
by  the 

REV.  ALEXANDER  HAMILTON  CROSBY,  A.  M. 

He  was  the  son  of  Darius  Crosby  and  Thirza  Paddock,  and 
grandson  of  Reuben  Crosby,  whose  ancestors  were   among  the 


*  Fowler's   MS.  Biog.  vol.  3,  444-5.     Miss  Williams,  sister-in-law  of  Col.  Freda 
rick  Philipse,  died  in  Mr.  Cooper's  family. 


518  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

first  settlers  of  Plymouth,  Mass.a  He  was  born  at  Somers,  in 
this  county,  June  15th,  1804,  and  entered  Union  College,  Sche- 
nectady, in  1819,  where  he  was  graduated  A.  M.  at  the  early  age 
of  eighteen.  After  reading  law  one  year,  he  entered  the  Gene- 
ral Theological  Seminary  and  was  graduated  June  30th,  1826. 
In  August  of  that  year  he  was  admitted  to  Deacon's  orders  in 
St.  George's  church,  Fishkill,  by  the  late  Bishop  Hobart.  After 
this  he  officiated  for  several  months  in  St.  Paul's  church,  East- 
chester.  In  the  spring  of  1827,  he  was  called  to  Grace  church, 
White  Plains,  and  St.  Thomas'  church,  Mamaroneck,  and  was 
ordained  Priest  in  the  former,  July  19th,  1828,  by  Bishop  Hobart. 

Upon  the  1 3th  of  March,  1828,  he  was  married  to  Julia  A., 
daughter  of  James  Barker,  Esq,  who  with  one  son  and  three 
daughters  still  survive  him.  While  officiating  in  the  united 
parishes,  he  made  an  effort  to  clear  them  of  debt,  which  good 
work  he  accomplished,  and  was  also  trying  to  raise  money  for 
the  erection  of  a  parsonage  at  White  Plains,  when  called  to  take 
charge  of  this  parish.  Addressing  his  congregation  in  1837,  he 
says  : — "  When  coming  to  this  parish,  I  found  only  about  thirty- 
five  communicants,  the  Church  divided  in  two  distinct  and 
hostile  parties,  by  three  law  suits  then  pending,  the  attendance 
of  most  of  the  congregation  on  Divine  Service  very  irregular, 
only  about  twenty  dollars  annually  given  to  missions,  and  but 
little  to  other  benevolent  institutions."  During  his  incumbency, 
the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  was  raised  by  public  subscrip- 
tion for  repairing  the  church,  and  also  six  hundred  dollars  ex. 
pended  on  the  old  parsonage,  besides  other  large  sums  for  Mis- 
sions, &c.  In  1835,  the  communicants  had  increased  to  seven- 
ty-two. 

But  four  years  afterwards  the  faithful  pastor  was  summoned, 
"Well  clad  in  the  panoply  of  righteousness,  wielding  the  sword 
of  the  Spirit,  and  fighting  manfully  under  the  banner  of  the 


•The  Crossbys  or  Crosbys  were  formerly  seated  in  the  county  of  Yorkshire,  Eng- 
land, from  whence  they  emigrated  to  this  country  about  1634.  Simon  Crosby  was 
a  freeman  of  Cambridge,  Mass.  in  1635,  and  one  of  the  selectmen  from  1636  to 
163. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  519 

Cross,  he  sank  consumed  by  his  own  zeal."  He  left  his  be- 
loved flock  for  a  little  season,  in  the  faint  hope  of  repairing  his 
shattered  frame  in  a  more  genial  clime,  and  with  the  prayer 
that  if  it  were  the  will  of  his  heavenly  Father,  he  might  return 
to  labor  once  more  among  them.  But  he  was  removed  from  the 
winter  of  life  to  a  summer  of  never  ending  mildness  and  glory- 
Wafted  to  the  haven  of  eternal  rest  in  a  better  country,  he  hath, 
entered  a  temple,  not  made  with  hands,  in  the  which,  he  shall 
chant  in  richer  melody  than  when  on  earth,  the  blissful  praises 
of  Jehovah  Jesus.  He  died  at  St.  Croix,  on  the  evening  of  the 
4th  of  January,  1839.  in  the  34th  year  of  his  age.  According 
to  his  request,  his  remains  were  subsequently  conveyed  to  Yon- 
kers,  and  interred  in  the  cemetry  belonging  to  this  parish,  near 
the  old  parsonage.  Well  may  his  people  have  reared  for  him 
the  marble  tablet,  that  tells  of  the  beloved  brother  and  faithful 
minister.  It  was  a  favorite  saying  of  his  : — "  First  my  Church, 
and  then  my  family."* 

Upon  the  death  of  Mr.  Crosby,  the  Rev.  William  M.  Carmi- 
chael,  A.  M.  was  called  to  the  rectorship,  which  he  declined. 
Whereupon  the 

REV.  SMITH   PYNE,  A.  M. 

was  chosen  rector  of  the  parish,  May  4th,  1839,  and  resigned  in 
1840.     The 

REV.  HENRY  L.  STORRS,  A.  M., 

was  elected  to  the  rectorship  in  March,  1841.  "  He  was  the  el- 
dest son  of  the  Hon.  Henry  Randolph  Storrs,  a  very  distinguished 
member  of  the  Bar  of  New- York,  and  of  the  National  Legisla- 
ture. He  was  born  on  the  1st  of  July,  1811,  at  White's  Town, 
in  the  County  of  Oneida,  and  was  educated  at  Hamilton  Col- 
lege and  at  Union  College.  After  his  graduation,  at  the  latter 
of  these  institutions,  he  passed  some  time  at  Utica,  where  under 


»  bee  sermon  preached  in  St.  John's  church,  Yonkors,  on   Sunday,  March  10th, 
l839,  by  the  Rev.  Robert  William  Harris,  D.  D.,  of  White  Plnins. 


520  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  instructions  of  the  Rev  Dr.  Anthon,  at  that  period  the  rector 
of  Trinity  Church,  he  became  a  communicant  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  and  commenced  his  preparation  for  its  ministry.  His 
studies  were  further  prosecuted  at  the  Gen.  Theological  Semi- 
nary ;  and  having  completed  the  usual  course,  and  received  his 
testimonial  at  the  commencement  in  1836,  he  was  immediately 
after  admitted  to  holy  orders,  and  took  charge  of  the  parish  of 
Cold  Spring.  He  was  soon  after  married  to  Elizabeth,  eldest 
daughter  of  the  late  Leonard  Kip,  Esq.  of  New  York,  who  with 
two  young  daughters,  and  a  still  younger  son,  is  left  to  lament 
his  loss,  and  to  guide  them  by  his  example. 

Having  resigned  his  charge  at  Cold  Spring,  and  officiated  for 
a  little  while  at  Yonkers,  in  the  absence  of  the  rector,  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Crosby,  who  was  seeking  health  abroad,  he  was  invited,  on 
the  death  of  that  exemplary  clergyman,  to  become  his  succes- 
sor, but  had  just  accepted  an  invitation  to  the  congregation  at 
New  Hartford,  in  the  region  of  his  birth  and  early  associations. 
After  three  years,  the  parish  at  Yonkers  again  became  vacant, 
and  he  was  again  called  to  the  place  which,  for  the  remaining 
eleven  years  of  his  life,  he  held  to  the  honor  of  God,  the  exten- 
sion of  the  Church,  and  the  deep,  and  grateful  satisfaction  of 
his  people. 

The  spot  where  his  lot  was  cast  has  become,  within  those 
eleven  years,  in  many  respects,  like  a  suburb  of  the  great  neig- 
boringcity,  though  without  losing  as  yet  its  pleasant  rural  aspect. 
He  found  an  ancient  church,  with  a  very  respectable  congregation 
of  limited  number,  scattered  over  a  distance  of  several  miles. 
One  service  only  was  expected  at  the  parish  church,  another 
was  held  in  a  remote  part  of  the  parish.  Anticipating  and 
watching  the  growth  of  the  village  around  the  church,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Hudson,  he  procured  the  necessary  aid  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  second  service,  and  at  length,  the  consecration 
of  the  chapel  of  Tuckahoe,  and  its  separation  from  his  charge. 
The  old  glebe  being  at  a  distance  from  the  village,  he  obtained 
from  a  willing  congregation,  the  erection  of  a  modest  and  beau- 
tiful parsonage  of  permanent  material,  on  the  ground  adjoining 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  521 

the  church ;  and  by  the  care  of  a  few  years  made  it  one  of  the 
most  delightful  scenes  from  which  a  pastor  could  ever  be  called, 
away  to  Paradise.  His  church  itself,  found  too  small  for  the  in- 
creasing congregation,  was  enlarged  by  the  construction  of  a 
transept,  and  without  losing  its  venerable  plainness,  became  a 
very  spacious  and  convenient,  and  particularly  impressive  struc- 
ture. In  the  meantime,  the  strength  of  the  parish  was  doubled ;  the 
communicants  had  largely  increased  in  number  ;  jarring  opinions 
and  feelings  were  harmonized,  through  the  discreet  and  faithful* 
assiduity  of  the  rector  ;  in  every  good  work,  and  in  the  view  o 
many  who  visited  his  vineyard,  he  realized  all  which  a  servan 
of  God  could  have  a  right  to  seek  for  himself,  of  pastoral  peace 
and  pleasantness." 

"This  excellent  man,  whose  ministry  of  eleven  years  will  ever 
be  cherished  with  grateful  remembrance  by  all  that  came  be- 
neath its  influence,  rested  from  his  labors  on  Sunday,  16th  of 
May,  1852."a  His  remains  were  interred  in  the  parochial  cem- 
etry. 
On  the  12th  of  June,  1852,  the  vestry  gave  a  call  to  the 

REV.  ABRAHAM  BEACH  CARTER,  A.  M. 

present  incumbent.b 

St.  John's  Church  was  first  incorporated  (under  the  Act  of 
1784,)  on  the  15th  of  September,  1787,  Augustus  Van  Cortlandt, 
Israel  Honeywell,  jun.,  and  J.  Warner,  trustees.  In  accordance 
with  the  Act  passed  for  the  relief  of  the  Episcopal  Church, 
March  17th,  1795,  it  was  again  organized  on  the  7th  of  Sep- 
tember of  that  year,  Augustus  Van  Cortlandt  and  William 
Constable,  churchwardens;  John  Warner,  Thomas  Valentine, 
Isaac  Vermilyea,  Frederick  Underhill,  Shadrach  Taylor,  Isaac 
Lawrence,  Stephen  Oakley  and  Jacob  Post,  vestrymen.  In  the 
first  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  Dio- 


*  See  Protestant  Churchman  for  May,  1852. 

k  Mr.  Carter  is  the  sou  of  the  late  Rev.  Abiel  Carter,  Rector  of  Christ'6  Church, 
Savannah,  Geo.,  and  a  grandson  of  the  venerable  Abraham  Beach,  D.  D.,  for  many 
years  Assistant  Rector  and  Minister  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York. 


522  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

cese  of  New  York,  held  in  the  city  of  New  York,  June  22d,  1785, 
this  Church  does  not  appear  to  have  been  represented.  To  the 
Convention  of  17S7,  she  sent  her  first  delegates,  viz  :  Augustus 
Van  Cortlandt  and  Israel  Honeywell,  Esq'rs. 

THE  CHURCH. 

The  parish  church  of  Yonkers,  together  with  its  gothic  par- 
sonage, stands  pleasantly  situated  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Saw 
Mill  or  Neperah. 

This  edifice  has  been  enlarged  and  beautified  within  a  few 
years,  and  is  an  interesting  specimen  of  Provincial  architecture. 
The  ground  plan  consists  of  a  Tower,  Nave,  Transept  and 
Apsis.  The  effect  of  the  tower,  which  is  of  three  stages 
with  narrow  lights,  is  fine.  The  belfry  and  wooden  spire 
are  modern.  The  church  is  of  native  stone,  with  quoins 
of  ashlar  and  ashlared  work  around  the  doors  and  win- 
dows, which  are  round  headed.  It  was  built,  as  we  have 
seen,  by  Col.  Frederick  Philipse  in  1753,  nothing  however  re- 
mains of  the  original  structure,  except  the  walls  and  tower,  the 
roof  and  wood  work  having  been  destroyed  by  an  accidental 
fire  in  May,  1791.  In  1792,  it  was  repaired,  and  on  21st  of  Au- 
gust of  that  year,  consecrated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God, 
under  the  name  and  title  of  St.  John's  Church,  Philipsburgh,  by 
the  Right  Rev.  Samuel  Provoost,  first  Bishop  of  the  State  of 
New-York.  The  principal  entrance  is  by  a  circular  headed 
door  in  the  south-west  transept.  During  the  rectorship  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Cooper,  there  were  some  changes  made  in  the  interior 
arrangement  of  the  building,  the  pulpit  being  removed  from  the 
north  to  the  east  end,  and  some  few  other  necessary  alterations 
made.  In  1831,  Mr  Crosby  raised  the  sum  of  one  thousand 
dollars  for  repairs.  Nothing  more  was  done  until  Mr.  Storrs 
became  the  rector,  when  the  whole  of  the  interior  was  first  remod- 
elled, a  new  chancel  arrangement  made,  and  the  church  newly 
seated.  The  increasing  population  rendered  the  enlargement  of 
the  building  necessary  and  in  1849,  the  transepts  and  chancel 
were  added  at  the  cost  of  about  one  thousand  five  hundred  dollars. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  523 

The  improvement  just  made  consists  in  opening  the  chancel, 
making  a  new  desk  and  pulpit,  with  several  additional  pews> 
and  in  painting  in  frescoe  work  the  walls  and  ceiling.  A  vestry- 
room,  opening  into  the  north  side  of  the  chancel,  has  also  been 
erected,  and  a  large  and  very  superior  organ,  built  by  Messrs.  Hall 
&  Labaugh,  of  New- York,  has  been  put  up  ;  to  accomodate  this 
the  gallery  front  has  been  extended  about  six  feet,  in  an  octa- 
gonal form,  and  finished  with  open  panel  work,  correspond- 
ing with  the  desk  and  chancel  rail.3- 

The  following  monumental  tablets  are  placed  in  various  parts 
of  this  church  : — 


In  memory  of 
REV.    LUKE    BABCOCK, 
Born  July  6th,  1738. 
Rector  of  this  Church  from  1770  to  1777,  when  he  departed  this  life 
in  the  39th  year  of  his  age.    * 

To  perpetuate  the  memory  of  the 

REV.     ELIAS    COOPER, 

twenty-seven  years  Rector  of  this  Church, 

who  departed  this  life,  Jan.  16th,  1816, 

aged  58  years  and  11  months. 

He  laboured  industriously  to  promote  the  happiness  of  mankind,  by  advancing  the 
influence  of  the  Christian  religion.  Pious  without  superstition,  and  zealous  without 
bigotry  ;  a  friend  to  the  poor,  and  an  ornament  to  the  Church  ;  exemplary  in  the 
discharge  of  every  relation  and  professional  duty  ;  respected  and  honored  through 
life  by  those  who  knew  his  virtues,  and  in  his  death  universally  lamented.  This 
humble  monument  (not  of  his  praise)  is  erected  by  his  faithful  flock,  who  knew  him, 
loved  him,  and  lamented  their  loss,  and  are  desirous  of  recording  in  this  inscription 
their  esteem,  affection  and  regret. 


•  "  St.  John's  in  1753  and  in  1853."  A  sermon  preached  at  the  re-opening  of  St. 
John's  Church,  Yonkers,  March  13th,  1853,  by  Abraham  Beach  Carter,  A.  M., 
Rector. 


524  HISTOEY  OF  THE  PARISH 

To  the  memory  of  the 
REV.   ALEXANDER    H.    CROSBY,    A.  M ., 

ten  years  Rector  of  this  Church, 
who  died  at  the  Island  of  St.  Croix,  Jan.  4th,  1839, 
aged  35  years. 
In  the  General  Theological  Seminary  the  piety,  virtues  and  talents  were  matured 
which  fitted  him  for  the  christian  ministry ;  sincerity  of  character,  kindness  of  heart 
and  purity  of  life,  united  with  steady  zeal,  correct  principles,  patient  labor  and 
true  devotedness  to  God,  edified  the  Church,  won  for  him  the  hearts  of  his  flock,  and 
were  honored  by  his  Divine  master  with  abundant  fruits.     In  all   things  he  was  an 
example  and  pattern  for  the  people  to  follow  ;  and  with  this  testimony,  he  has  entered 
into  his  rest,  a  beloved  brother,  and  faithful   minister  in  the  Lord.     The   flock  for 
whose  sakes  he  gladly  spent  himself,  have  erected  this  tablet,  to  attest  their  sense  of 
his  excellence,  and  their  grief  for  his  loss. 

In  memory  of  the 
REV.  HENRY  LEMUEL  STORRS,  M.  A. 
Born  July  1st,   1811. 
Died    May     16th,     1852. 

The  faithful  Pastor,  and  disinterested  friend  of  this  congregation  for  eleven  years. 
They  have  erected  this  monument  as  a  memorial  of  their  enduring  affection. 

"  He  asked  life  of  thee  and  thou  gavest  it  him,  even  length  of  days  for  ever 
and  ever."    Ps.  xxi.  4. 

The  bell  was  presented  to  the  church  by  Joseph  Howland, 
Esq.,a  and  contains  the  following  inscription  : 

"  B.  HANKS,  MANSFIELD,  CONN.,  1818." 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  the  old  communion  service  of 
this  church  was  carried  off,  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
for  safe  keeping  to  the  city  of  New  York.  Some  years  after 
the  close  of  the  war,  the  altar  cloth  was  discovered  in  an  old 
dusty  box,  where  it  had  lain  through  the  whole  period  of  the 
Revolution,  and  is  now  preserved  at  St.  John's  chapel,  Tuckahoe. 
The  silver  now  used,  at  the  administration  of  the  holy  sacra- 
ment, consists  of  one  large  silver  flaggon,  two  silver  chalices,  and 
a  silver  basin  or  font,  (the  latter  was  presented  by  a  member  of  the 
Van  Cortlandt  family,  in  1830,  on  occasion  of  the  baptism  of 
Miss   Harriet  Van  Cortlandt  Crosby,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  A.  H. 

*  Mrs.  Samuel  Howland  at  the  same  time  presented  a  large  folio  Bible. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS.  525 

Crosby),  and  two  silver  plates,  one  of  which  bears  the  following  in- 
scription :  "  Presented  to  the  Episcopal  church,  Town  of  Yonkers 
1795."    The  altar  cloth  was  given  by  Miss  Arabella  Ludlow. 

The  vestry,  aided  by  the  generosity  of  several  gentlemen  be- 
longing to  the  parish,  are  about  erecting  a  parochial  school- 
house  on  the  north  side  of  the  church. 

The  church  yard  has  been  long  since  abandoned,  as  a  place 
of  sepulture,  on  account  of  its  rocky  situation  ;  a  part  however 
of  Philipse's  Point,  in  the  rear  of  the  present  rectory,  appears  to 
have  been  used  as  a  grave  yard  for  strangers  at  a  very  early 
period.  The  one  now  occupied  is  located  on  the  old  parsonage 
property,  bequeathed  by  Fredeiick  Philipse,  with  the  glebe  in 
1751.  It  is  beautifully  situated  on  a  rising  knoll,  in  the  valley  of 
the  Saw  Mill.  The  first  interment  here  on  record,  occurs  in  17S3. 
In  1845,  owing  to  the  large  increase  of  families  within  this  parish 
and  the  numerous  calls  upon  its  officiating  clergy,  it  was  deemed 
advisable  after  mature  deliberations,  to  erect  a  parsonage  with- 
in the  village  of  Yonkers.  For  this  purpose  an  order  was 
obtained  the  same  year  from  the  court  of  Chancery,  to  dispose 
of  the  old  parsonage  and  glebe.  These  were?  finally  sold  for 
six  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  With  part  of  these  funds 
the  present  rectory  was  built  ;  the  Corporation  reserving  to 
themselves  the  burying  ground  in  the  Saw  Mill  valley. 


St.  John's  RBCio«r. 


526  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  old  parsonage,  formerly  called  Babcock's  house,  was 
frequently  garrisoned  during  the  Revolution,  by  the  troops  of 
both  armies.  It  was  here  that  Lord  Howe  fixed  his  head  quar- 
ters, and  here  Col.  Gist,  of  the  American  army  was  visiting  in 
1778,  when  the  enemy  determined  upon  a  surprisal. 

PRINCIPAL  BENEFACTORS  OF  ST.  JOHN'S  CHURCH. 

The  Hon.  Frederick  Philipse  and  his  lady  Johanna  Brock- 
holes,  Col.  Frederick  Philipse,  Ven.  Prop.  Society,  Augustus  Van 
Cortlandt,  Brabazon  Noble,  Alpheus  Pierson,  Joseph  How- 
land,  Mrs.  Frederick  A.  Van  Cortlandt,  James  Valentine,  Shad- 
rach  Taylor,  John  Bowne,  Isaac  Lawrence,  Lemuel  Wells,  Wil- 
liam Jones,  and  the  Wardens  and  Vestry  of  Trinity  Church, 
New- York.  The  latter  in  1800,  contributed  five  hundred  dollars 
for  a  parsonage,  to  which  was  added  in  1801,  the  sum  of  two 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  in  1804,  three  hundred  dollars, 
and  for  three  years  an  annual  salary  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollars  to  the  Rev.  Elias  Cooper. 

LIST  OF  MINISTERS  AND  RECTORS. 

TEMP.  INST.  INCUMBENTS.  VACAT. 

Feb.  11th,  1765.  Rev.  Harry  Munro,  Cler.  A.  M.      per  resig. 
1771.  "    Luke  Babcock,    «        "  per  death. 

Sept.  5th,  1777.  "     George  Panton,     "         "  per  resig. 

July,         1789.  "    Elias   Cooper,  A.  M.  Presb.     per  death. 

Mar.  14th,  1816.        "     William  Powell,  A.  M.  Presb.  per  resig. 
Mar.  20th,  1820.        «    John  Gregg,  A.  M.  Presb.  " 

Oct.  17th,  1823.  "     John  West,  A.  M.  Presb.  « 

Dec.  15th,  1828.         u     Alex.  H.  Crosby,  A.  M.  Presb.  per  death. 
May  4th,  1839.  "     Smith  Pyne,  A.    M.   Presb.    per  resig. 

Mar.  20th,  1841.         "    Henry  L.  Storrs,  A.  M.  Presb.  per  death 
June  12th,  1852.  "     Abraham  Beach  Carter,  A.  M.  Presb. 

[present  incumbent. 

NOTITIA   PAROCHIALIS. 

In  1704,  there  appears  to  have  been  20  families  attached  to 
the  precinct. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  YONKERS. 


527 


In  1761 

Baptisms 

,47, 

Communicants, — 

1775, 

u 

15. 

«  ■          __ 

1804, 

u 

14, 

40, 

1815, 

u 

19, 

59, 

1817. 

(( 

15, 

«            48, 

1844, 

C( 

31, 

94, 

1853, 

(t 

40, 

250. 

In  1806  the  number  of  families  belonging  to  the  Church,  were 
84.  Do.  1853,  150.  No.  of  souls,  750.  No.  of  Catechists,  16. 
No.  of  Catechumens,  100. 

In  1704,  the  population  was  249, 
170S,         «  "         250, 

1712,        "  "  260, 

1810,        "  "       1,365, 

1840,         «  "       1,761, 

1850,        «  «       4.160, 

Population  of  the  village  proper  in  1850,  2,290 

NAMES  OF  PERSONS  WHO  HAVE  BEEN   ELECTED 
WARDENS  OF  ST.  JOHN'S  CHURCH,  YONKERS. 

Trustees  from  1787  to  1795. 
1795. 
Augustus  Van   Cortlandt,  William  Constable.  ] 

1796  to  1803. 
Augustus  Van  Cortlandt,  John  Warner. 

1804-7. 
Augustus  Van  Cortlandt,  James  Valentine. 

1808. 
James  Valentine,  Brabazon  Noble. 

1809-11 
James  Valentine,  Henry  White. 

1812. 
Henry  White,  James  Valentine. 

1813  to  1820. 
Henry  White,  James  Archer, 


528  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

1821. 
James  Archer,  Henry  White, 

1822. 
Henry  White,  Joseph  Howland. 

1823-5. 
Joseph  Howland,  Elijah  Valentine. 

1826. 
Joseph  Howland,  Lemuel  Wells. 

1827. 
Nathaniel  Valentine,  John  Bowne,  Sen. 

1828  to  1831). 
Nathaniel  Valentine,  Jacob  Odell. 

1831-2. 
Nathaniel  Valentine,  Augustus  Van  Cortlandt. 

1833-6. 
Augustus  Van  Cortlandt,  Joseph  Odell. 

1837-8. 
Joseph  Odell,  Augustus  Van  Cortlandt. 

1839. 
Joseph  Odell,  Abraham  Valentine. 

1810. 
Abraham  Valentine,  Joseph  Odell. 

1841-2. 
Abraham  Valentine,  William  Jones. 

1843  to  1852. 
Abraham  Valentine,  John  Bowne. 

1853. 
Abraham  Valentine,  Thomas  O.  Farrington. 


/ 
HISTOBJi  ^IB'RARY 

V.       N.IOIK. 

OF  THE  V. 

PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OF 


NEW  CASTLE. 


New  Castle  was  taken  from  the  older  parish  of  North  Cas- 
tle, one  of  the  six  precincts  of  Rye,  in  1791. 

By  the  Indians  it  was  called  Shappequa,  a  corruption  of  the 
Algonquin  term  Chapacour.  which  signifies  "  a  vegetable  root/ 
The  name  still  survives  in  the  Shappequa  hills. 

The  chief  proprietor  of  these  lands  in  1660,  was  the  Indian 
sachem  Wampoqueum,  who  sold  them  to  John  Richbell  of 
Mamaroneck.  Their  next  possessor,  after  the  death  of 
Richbell  in  16S4,  was  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote,  who  obtained  of 
Mrs.  Ann  Richbell  a  patent  right,  and  on  the  12th  of  October, 
1696,  a  grant  from  Gov.  Fletcher,  "  for  free  liberty  and  license 
to  purchase  vacant  land  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  between. 
Croton's  river,  and  the  south  bounds  of  Mr.  Harrison's  purchase, 
&c."  In  1701,  Col.  Heathcote  and  others  received  royal  letters 
patent,  from  King  William  3d,  for  their  lands  in  North  Castle. 
This  parish  was  long  known  by  the  name  of  the  West  Patent. 

It  is  now  about  one  hundred  and  forty  years  since  the  first 
families  settled  here.     They  appear  to  have  met  with  great  dis- 

34 


530  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

•Eouragements,  and  to  have  endured  severe  trials,  for  they  were 
in  the  midst  of  a  wilderness,  and  constantly  exposed  to  Indian 
depredations. 

By  the  Act  of  Assembly  in  1693  North  Castle  was  annexed 
:o  the  parish  of  Rye,  which  accounts  for  the  parochial  clergy 
officiating  here  prior  to  the  Revolution.  The  Rev.  Christo- 
pher Bridge,  writing  to  the  Yen.  Prop.  Society,  in  1712.  says : — 
'•There  are  two  places  in  this  parish,  at  a  great  distance  from 
the  church,  which  if  the  Honorable  Society  will  be  pleased  to 
Tnake  some  small  allowance  to  them,  there  might  be  found  pro- 
per persons  here  to  undertake  that  charge,  to  the  great  benefit 
af  many  poor  children  that  want  instruction."  In  1722  Mr.  Jen- 
ney,  his  successor,  informs  the  same  : — "That  his  parish  is  of 
7ery  large  extent,  and  contains  a  great  deal  of  land  well  settled, 
besides  a  large  wilderness,  in  which  are  some  few  settlements. 
There  are  three  townships  in  it,  viz  :  Bedford,  Rye  and  Mama- 
joneck  :  wherein  there  are  some  few  settlements  in  the  woods, 
30  dispersed,  that  I  have  not  }'et  been  able  to  learn  the  number 
of  the  inhabitants,  &c."  In  his  next  communication  he  ob- 
serves : — "  We  have  a  new  settlement  among  us  in  the  woods, 
which  began  about  the  time  of  my  predecessor's  death,  1719. 
The  inhabitants  are  very  loose  in  their  principles  of  religion, 
inclining  rather  to  the  Quakers,  than  to  any  other  sect.  I  have 
been  amongst  them  with  good  success,  having  baptized  a  whole 
family,  parents  and  children.  I  have  heard  that  some  of  them 
intended  to  make  a  confession  of  their  faith,  in  order  to  bap. 
lism.r  In  1724  he  informs  the  Bishop  of  London,  that  he  offi- 
iiated  at  North  Castle  eight  times  per  annum.  At  this  period 
North  Castle  contributed  towards  (he  ministers  rate  and  poor  of 
•he  parish  £3  7s.  During  the  year  1725,  Mr.  Dwight  was 
appointed  schoolmaster  here,  with  a  salary  of  £10  a  year. 

Mr.  Wetmore  writing  to  the  Society  in  1728,  says  : — "There 
are  now  thirty  heads  of  families  and  young  men,  upon  whom 
the  tax  is  levied  in  North  Castle,  a  new  settlement  between  Rye 
and  Bedford,  about  six  miles  from  Bedford.  This  place  was 
ehiefly  settled  by  people  of  no  religion  at  all,  very  ignorant  and 


A^D  CHURCH  OF  NEWCASTLE.  531 

barbarous,  being  descendants  of  the  Long  Island  Quakers, 
and  having  more  knowledge  of  Quakerism  than  of  any  other  re- 
ligion, are  more  receptive  of  that,  but  there  being  a  few  people 
of  the  Church  among  them,  Mr.  Jenney  first  began  to  take 
pains  with  them,  preached  among  them,  and  baptized  several, 
tho'  they  are  since  all  returned  to  Quakerism  or  nothing  ;  and 
it  is  certain  they  have  left  the  Church,  partly  by  the  instigation 
of  the  Quakers,  (who  have  been  very  busy  among  them,  while 
they  were  long  neglected,)  from  Mr.  Jenney's  being  called  to 
Hempstead,  at  my  being  fixed  here,  and  partly  upon  disgust, 
being  disappointed  of  some  preferments  they  expected  Mr.  Jen- 
ney would  procure  for  them,  and  being  reproved  for  bringing  a 
scandal  upon  religion,  by  their  loose  and  irregular  living  ;  how- 
ever, there  are  a  few  sober  people  that  live  there,  and  to  accom- 
modate them  and  Bedford,  or  at  least  some  from  Bedford  that 
are  willing  to  come  to  church,  I  preach  once  in  about  five  weeks 
at  North  Castle.  There  are  about  ten  families  of  the  Church, 
and  the  rest  Quakers."  Again  he  says,  "  there  are  more  than 
forty  families  here,  most  of  which  are  unbaptized.  That  a  great 
many  of  the  people  come  to  church,  and  he  hath  baptized  four 
adults  and  sundry  children  there."  He  suggests  to  the  Society 
that,  ua  good  schoolmaster  might  be  of  good  service  to  religion, 
in  some  sort  to  supply  the  place  of  a  resident  minister,  in  cate- 
chising and  instructing  the  youth,  and  keeping  the  people  from 
running  wild  in  their  principles  and  practise,  as  they  are  in 
great  danger  of  doing  by  being  among  so  many  Quakers." 

At  a  vestry  meeting,  held  March  1st,  1730,  for  the  parish  of 
Rye,  it  was  ordered: — "That  whereas  the  vestrymen  of  the 
district  of  North  Castle,  have  neglected  to  make  up  their  parish 
rate  last  year,  and  this  year,  though  often  requested  thereto, 
ordered  therefore  by  ye  vestry  and  Justices,  that  the  North  Cas- 
tle vestrymen  for  ye  last  year  and  this  year,  do  appear  at  Rye, 
at  Francis  Doughty's,  on  the  lGth  of  this  month  at  noon,  in 
order  to  make  their  rates  without  any  further  delay,  or  ordered 
to  be  presented  immediately,  and  that  the  clerk  do  send  forth- 
with a  copy  of  this  order  to  said  North  Castle  vestrymen." 


532  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

In  1733,  Mr.  Wetmore  again  makes  report  to  the  Venerable 
Society- — "  That  Mr.  D wight  at  North  Castle  continues  very 
diligent  and  faithful  in  his  school  and  very  well  esteemed  by 
the  people  there,  but  the  great  misfortunes  of  that  place  make 
him  weary  of  it."  It  appears,  that  at  Mr.  Wetmore's  request* 
Mr.  Dwight  was  appointed  catechist  for  the  parish  of  Rye,  and 
was  removed  to  White  Plains.  Again  in  1744,  Mr.  Wetmore 
informs  the  Society  "  that  he  is  fully  occupied  in  the  duties  of 
his  mission,  and  that  at  Bedford  and  North  Castle,  there  were 
four  hundred  families  belonging  to  his  cure  ;  for  which  reason 
he  begged  for  an  assistant  to  officiate  under  him."  Whereupon 
the 

REV.  JOSEPH  LAMSON,  A.  M., 

was  appointed  for  that  purpose.  He  was  the  son  of  William 
Lamson,a  of  Stratford  Conn.,  where  he  was  born  about  1719. 
He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College,  in  1741,  and  in  1773  ad- 
mitted Master  of  Arts  at  King's  College,  New  York.  Although 
the  son  of  Congregational  parents,  he  declared  for  the  Church 
soon  after  leaving  College,  and  went  to  England  for  Holy  Orders. 
His  license  from  the  Bishop  of  London  to  officiate  in  this  Prov- 
ince, bears  date  1745.  Before  leaving  England  he  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  Ven.  Society  assistant  to  Mr.  Wetmore,  in  offici- 
ating to  the  inhabitants  at  Bedford,  North  Castle  and  Ridgefield, 
with  a  salary  of  £20  per  annum ;  besides  a  gratuity  of  the 
same  sum,  out  of  compassion  to  his  sufferings  and  success. 
From  England,  after  many  trials,  he  returned  in  1745 ;  having 
been  in  his  voyage  thither  taken  prisoner  by  the  French,  and 
afterwards,  on  his  passage  from  St.  Louis  in  Fiance  to  London, 
detained  at  Salisbury  four  months  by  a  fever,  which  took  from 


8  The  surname  of  this  family  was  originally  written  Lambton.  Robert  De  Lamb- 
ton,  feutal  brd  of  Lambton  Castle,  in  the  County  of  Durham,  died  in  1350.— Sur- 
tee's  Hist,  of  the  County  of  Durham.  The  Lampsons  or  Lamsons  were  among  the 
earlier  settlers  of  New  England.  The  will  of  William  Lampson,  of  Stratford,  Conn, 
bears  date  Sept.,  1754,  proved  Feb.  11th,  1755.  Wife,  Elizabeth  ;  sous,  Jos.,  Nath., 
and  Jno. ;  daughters,  Eliz.,  Sarah  and  Mary.— Probate  Rec.  Fairfield  Co.  1754-7. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  NEW  CASTLE.  533 

him  his  companion  and  fellow  sufferer  Richard  Miner,  a  Congre- 
gational minister,  from  the  vicinity  of  his  native  place,  who  had 
gone  with  him  to  England  for  Episcopal  ordination.  Being  at 
length  restored  to  country  and  friends,  "  as  one  risen  from  the 
dead,"  he  began  to  preach  at  Bedford,  North  Castle  and  Ridge- 
field,  which  though  still  considered,  as  in  some  sense,  within  the 
bounds  of  the  parish  or  mission  of  Fairfield,  had  been  for 
some  time  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Wetmore,  missionary  at  Rye. 
The  Society's  abstracts  for  1746,  say: — "The  Society  have 
had  the  satisfaction  to  be  informed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lampson, 
(of  whose  sufferings  in  his  voyage  to  England  to  receive  Epis- 
copal ordination,  the  abstract  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Society 
in  the  year  1745  gave  an  account,)  that  he  returned  safe  and 
in  good  health  ;  and  the  good  people  of  Ridgefield,  Bedford  and 
North  Castle,  the  places  of  his  mission,  received  him  gladly  and 
even  as  one  arisen  from  the  dead,  among  whom  report  had  for 
some  time  placed  him,  and  in  his  letter  of  May  12th,  1746,  he 
writes  : — That  he  officiates  by  turns  at  these  three  places  to 
full  congregations,  and  had  baptized  eleven  children  and  three 
adults  well  principled  in  Christianity  ;  and  Mr.  Wetmore,  the 
Society's  missionary  in  the  populous  parish  of  Rye,  to  whose 
assistance  Mr.  Lampson  is  appointed,  returns  his  own  hearty 
thanks,  together  with  th'>se  of  his  parishioners,  in  his  letter  of 
April  3d,  1746,  professing  his  hope  that  Mr.  Lampson  will  do 
much  good  amongst  them  by  his  preaching  and  exemplary  life, 
for  which  they  very  much  respect  him,  and  that  as  there  are 
great  numbers  of  people  in  the  wilderness  country  northward  of 
Bedford  and  Westchester,  who  have  very  little  knowledge  or  sense 
of  religion,  Mr.  Lampson's  labors  will  be  employed  to  good  pur- 
pose among  them." 

REV.  MR.  LAMPSON  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 
"  North  Castle,  in  the  parish  of  Rye,  Feb.  10,  1746-7. 

Rev.  Sir, 
1  have  endeavoured  since  my  arrival  to  do  what  service  I  can 


534  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

among  a  great  number  of  poor  people,  scattered  about  in  the 
woods,  who  have  little  ability,  and  most  of  them  little  inclination 
to  mind  me.  I  compassionate  their  circumstances,  and  the  more 
because  so  many  of  them  have  very  little  sense  of  the  impor- 
tance of  religion  and  virtue.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Wetmore  has  been 
treating  with  a  worthy  young  gentleman,  Mr.  Thomas  Bradbury 
Chandler,  who  is  willing  to  perform  the  service  of  a  lay  cate- 
chist  among  these  people,  if  the  Honourabie  Society,  upon  my 
removal,  will  be  pleased  to  bestow  upon  him  the  £10  sterling 
salary  that  was  formerly  allowed  to  Mr.  Flint  Dwight,  deceased. 
And  I  am  of  opinion,  that  such  a  provision  is  as  much  as  these 
people  can  expect  at  present,  and  I  believe  it  may  in  a  good 
measure  supply  the  place  of  a  minister  in  orders,  considering 
that  Mr.  Wetmore,  with  Mr.  Chandler's  assistance  to  read  in  the 
church  at  Rye,  in  his  absence,  may  more  frequently  visit  North 
Castle  and  Bedford,  and  administer  the  sacraments  among  them  : 
and  some  of  the  people  have  expressed  a  satisfaction  in  the 
hopes  of  having  so  ingenious  a  man  as  Mr.  Chandler  to  labor 
among  them,  in  such  a  method  after  my  leaving  them.  They 
find  as  little  fault  as  I  could  expect,  at  the  talk  of  my  removal, 
knowing  that  my  present  income  is  too  small  for  a  support."a 

Soon  after  the  date  of  this  letter,  Mr.  Lamson  took  charge  of 
the  parish  of  Fairfield,  Conn.,  where  he  continued  until  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  took  place  in  1773.  The  register  of 
the  Town  of  Fairfield  contains  a  record  of  his  marriage 
in  1747,  to  Alethia,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  James  Wetmore  of 
Rye,  and  of  the  birth  of  their  six  children,  five  daughters, 
and  one  son.  And  the  graves  of  the  eldest  daughter,  who  died 
in  1753,  and  Mrs.  Lamson,  who  died  in  1766,  are  in  the  old 
burial  place,  near  the  Court  House.  But  it  appears  from  the 
proceedings  of  the  Society,  that  Mr.  Lamson  left  a  widow.  b 

Upon  the  26th  of  March,  1748,   Mr.  Wetmore  writes:— "I 


a  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulharn,  pp.  282-3.  (Hawks.) 

b  Hist.  Discourse  for  the  Jubilee  of  the  Ven.  Soc. ,  by  the  Rev.  N.  E.  Cornwall,  M. 

A.     The  name  of  Joseph  Lamson  appears  as  witness  to  a  will  of  David  Rowland, 

of  Fairfield,  26th  of  August,  1768.     Editor. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  CASTLE.  535 

have  also  undertaken  to  preach  a  monthly  lecture  at  North  Cas- 
tle, besides  their  usual  turn  upon  Sundays,  and  this  I  shall  con- 
tinue as  long  as  I  find  a  good  disposition  in  this  people  to  attend 
such  lectures."  Again,  in  September  of  that  year,  he  says.:— 
"  Since  Mr.  Lamson  has  removed  from  this  parish,  and  Mr.  Chan- 
dler declined  accepting  the  catechetical  mission  at  North  Castle 
and  Bedford,  I  do  the  duty  of  these  places  as  formerly;  and  al- 
tho'  I  find  large  congregations,  when  1  preach  among  them,  yet 
I  don't  find  that  forwardness  I  could  wish,  to  exert  themselves 
in  building  churches  and  providing  for  the  support  of  a  minis- 
ter or  catechist ;  and  it  is  a  trouble  to  me  that  the  same  negli- 
gent temper  prevails  in  other  parts  of  my  parish." 

In  his  report  for  1753,  he  acquaints  the  Society, — "  that  kk 
congregations  at  Rye,  White  Plains,  North  Castle  and  Bedford 
are  large  and  flourishing,  and  that  the  disposition  of  those  that 
opposed  the  interest  of  the  Church  in  those  places,  seems  chang- 
ed for  the  better,  and  that  there  are  some  hopes  of  the  people 
uniting  with  North  Castle  towards  supporting  a  minister  in  the 
Holy  Orders  of  our  Church,  to  officiate  alternately  to  them." 

From  this  period  the  increase  was  such,  that  it  became  neces- 
sary to  erect  a  house  of  worship,  where  religious  services  could 
be  more  duly  celebrated,  and  attendance  on  the  preached  word 
more  conveniently  practised.  The  principal  person  who  com- 
menced this  undertaking  was  St.  George  Talbot,  Esq..  aided  by 
the  zealous  efforts  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dibble,  who  occasionally 
officiated  in  this  parish  after  Mr.  Wetmore's  death  in  176G. 
The  following  extract  shows  that  Mr.  Talbot,  the  noble  bene- 
factor of  the  Church  at  that  period,  had  given  besides  his  dona- 
tions of  £600  to  each  of  the  churches  of  Rye,  Flushing  and 
Stamford,  £600  also  to  North  Castle  : — 

MR.  DIBBLEE  TO  THE   SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 

"  Stamford  in  Conn.,  N.  E.,  March2oth,  1761. 
Rev.  Sir. 
In  compliance  with  repeated  requests  1  preached  on  Sunday. 


536  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  7th  of  December  last,  to  the  destitute  people  at  Westchesten 
to  a  very  considerable  congregation.  The  evening  following  I 
paid  my  respects  to  the  worthy  and  good  Mr.  St.  George  Talbot, 
who  appears  to  be  a  gentleman  of  great  piety,  zeal  and  charity, 
and  he  desired  me  to  mention  to  the  Honourable  Society,  the  very 
grateful  sense  he  has  of  the  late  unexpected  honor  done  him, 
in  being  admitted  a  member  of  the  Venerable  Society.  His 
principal  concern,  in  the  decline  of  life,  is  to  promote  the 
interest  of  true  religion,  the  Church  of  Christ  militant,  until 
it  shall  please  God  to  translate  him  to  the  Church  triumphant. 
And  he  desired  me  to  intimate,  that  besides  the  benefactions  to 
the  church  at  Rye.  of  which  Mr.  Wetmore  and  me  advised,  he 
hath  also  given  £600  sterling  money  for  the  encouragement  of 
religion  among  the  poor  people  of  North  Castle,  ratified  the 
6th  of  June,  1759,  delivered  into  the  hands  of  Col.  MacDonald, 
Jonathan  Ogden,  Caleb  Fowler  and  Charles  Haight,  by  the  ap- 
probation of  the  late  Mr.  Wetmore,  and  security  given. "a 

There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  subject  of  building  a 
ehurch  had  been  a  long  time  in  contemplation,  before  it  was 
brought  to  a  successful  issue  by  the  above  donation.  It 
was  now  resolved,  however,  by  those  interested  in  the  un- 
dertaking, that  one  should  be  immediately  erected,  but  it  appears 
it  was  not  determined  where  the  building  should  stand  because 
a  site  was  selected  at  first  for  the  church,  about  five  miles  from 
the  place  where  it  was  finally  located.  The  site  referred  to,  is 
in  the  parish  of  North  Castle,  near  Sand's  mills,  where  the  letter 
"C"  inscribed  on  a  rock  is  still  legible,  and  marks  that  site  as 
the  church  lot.  But  lor  sufficient  reasons,  doubtless,  and  perhaps 
as  more  central,  the  beautiful  location  was  preferred  where  St. 
Mark's  now  stands.  Accordingly,  the  timber  which  had  been 
prepared  in  North  Castle  was  removed  to  the  new  site,  given  by 
Charles  Haight  in  1760,  and  in  October,  1761,  a  plain  building 
of  ample  size  was  erected,  and  opened  for  divine  worship,  which 
in   honor   of  their   pious   and    noble   benefactor,  was   named 


Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham.  pp.  404-5.     (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF   NEW  CASTLE.  537 

1*5t.  George's  Church.  From  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dibble's  reports  to  the 
Society  the  following  extracts  are  obtained,  which  give  all  the 
information  we  can  now  learn  respecting  this  happy  circum- 
stance : — 

MR.  DIBBLEE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 
"  Stamford,  Conn.  N.  E.,  Sept.  29,  1761. 

Rev.  Sir, 
I  preached  a  lecture  at  North  Castle  the  12th  of  August  last, 
to  a  great  congregation  ;  they  have  erected  a  new  church,  and  at 
their  desire,  and  the  request  of  Mr.  St.  George  Talbot,  the 
worthy  benefactor  of  our  Churches,  whom  I  expect  to  meet  with, 
I  have  consented  to  preach  to  them  the  second  Sunday  in  Octo- 
ber next  in  their  church."a 

MR.  DIBBLEE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 
';  Stamford,  Conn.,  in  New  England,  March  25th,  1762. 

Rev.  Sir, 
I  preached  the  second  Sunday  in  October  last,b  in  St.  George's 
church,  at  North  Castle,  and  at  the  opening  of  it,  to  a  most  nu- 
merous congregation,  the  church  not  being  able  to  contain  the 
people.  They  have  erected  a  very  decent  church  for  public 
worship,  forty  foot  by  thirty,  with  galleries,  covered  and  closed 
it  with  cedar,  and  only  laid  the  ground  floor.  Mr.  St.  George 
Talbot  was  present,  their  pious  and  noble  benefactor,  who  was 
highly  pleased  with  the  number,  and  devout  behaviour  of  the 
people.  I  baptized  that  Lord's  day  thirteen  infants,  and  one  adult. 
Mr.  Talbot  desirous  to  know  the  real  state  of  the  people,  desired 
me  to  accompany  him  to  Bedford.  Crumpond  and  Peakskill, 


1  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  432.     (Hawks.) 
»  11th  of  October,  1761. 


538  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

and  to  return  by  the  way  of  Croton  and  White  Plains ;  which 
I  cheerfully  did,  and  preached  a  lecture  in  each  of  those  places, 
the  people  giving  a  cheerful  attendance,  preaching  every  day 
that  week,  but  Saturday,  and  baptized  ten  more  children.  Ex- 
cept Bedford,  we  found  no  settled  teacher  among  them  of  any 
denomination  ;  in  each  place  were  sundry  heads  of  families  pro- 
fessors of  our  Church,  and  many  others  well  disposed  towards 
it,  but  the  inhabitants  in  general,  by  what  we  could  learn,  were 
much  divided  in  their  religious  sentiments,  and  paid  but  little 
regard  to  Sundays.  The  late  worthy  Mr.  Wetmore,  missionary 
at  Rye,  was  not  wanting  in  his  endeavours  to  promote  the  inte- 
rest of  true  religion  among  them,  but  his  advanced  age,  and 
their  distance,  prevented  his  being  so  very  serviceable  as  otherwise 
he  might  have  been  ;  and  I  am  of  Mr.  St.  George  Talbot's 
opinion,  that  a  person  settled  in  Holy  Orders  among  them  is 
much  wanted,  and  might  do  singular  service  in  promoting  the 
interest  of  true  religion."* 

In  reference  to  this  event,  Mr.  Talbot  thus  writes  : — 

ST.  GEORGE  TALBOT  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 

"New- York,  September  10th,  1762. 
Rev.  Sir, 

I  received  your  favor  of  the  24th  of  February  last,  in  July, — 
&c.,  &c. 

In  October  last  I  desired  the  Rev.  Mr  Dibblee  of  Stamford, 
who  is  indefatigable  in  his  endeavours  to  serve  the  interests  of 
true  religion,  and  our  Holy  Church,  whose  services  I  find  uni- 
versally acceptable,  and  his  life  agreeable  to  his  public  charac- 
ter, to  meet  me  at  St.  George's  church,  at  North  Castle,  second 
Sunday  in  October  last,  and  was  surprised  both  at  the  number, 
and  devout  behaviour  of  the  people,  for  the  church  could  not 
contain  them.     The  particular  service  he  performed,  beyond 

*  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  438.     (Hawk*.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  CASTLE.  539 

doubt  he  will  transmit  to  you,  if  he  hath  not  done  it.     He  ac- 
companied me  from  thence  to  Bedford,  Crumpond,  Peach  Kills, 
Croton,  and  returned  by  the  White  Plains.    The  state  of  religion 
I  truly  found  deplorable  enough,  for  excepting  Bedford,  they 
were  as  sheep  without  a  shepherd,  a  prey  to  various  sectaries 
and  enthusiastic  lay  teachers.     There  are  many  well-wishers 
and  professors  of  the  Church  among  them,  which  doth  not  hear 
the  liturgy  in  several  years.     The  late  worthy  Mr.  Wetmore 
hath  made  the  same  tour  with  me,  nay  larger,  even  to  Fish  Kills. 
(There  I  offered  them  £1000  to   purchase  a  glebe  and  a  house, 
and  he   agreed  for  the  same,  if  they  would  do  their  part,  and 
subscribed  £40  per  annum  to  administer  support,  since  they 
have  had  the  concurrence  of  the  Society  in  their  favor,  but  zeal 
is  too  cold  there.)   I  think  it  would  be  happy  if  an  itinerant 
missionary  could  be  fixed  at  North  Castle,  for  whenever  the  va- 
cancy at  Rye  shall  be  supplied,  as  the  Rev.  Mr.  Punderson, 
whom  I  met  at  convention  at  Derby  in  June  last,  said,  that  if  he 
had  a  call  to  Rye,  he  would  gladly  accept  it,  (with  the   liberty 
of  the  Society,)  as  I  know  that  he  is  called  and  hath  accepted 
it.     The  Rev  Mr.  Lamson  preached  the  convention  sermon  to 
the  great  satisfaction  not  only  of  the  brethren,  but  myself,  and 
I  think  they  are  all  a  set  of  worthy,  pious  clergymen,  and  are 
usefully  employed  in  their  several  Missions.    I  have  proposed  to 
Mr.  Dibblee  to  take  another  tour  to  the  former  places,  and  to 
visit  some  others,  who  hath  requested  the  favor  of  me,  for  the 
which  the  Rev  Messrs.  Lamson  and  Leming  hath  also  consent- 
ed to  take  a  tour  with  me,  for  I  cannot  but  be  sorry  to  see  such 
numbers  of  people  live   without  God  in   the  world,  for  where 
there  is  no  regard  to  Sundays,  or  to  the  public  worship  of  Almigh- 
ty God,  there   is  scarce  any  sense  of  religion  among  a  people, 
and  their  moral  state  is  soon   as  deplorable   as  their  religious. 
After  which  a  more  particular  account  of  those,  their  number, 
particular  profession,  distances,  each  place  from  the  other,  and 
from  any  clergyman  in  Holy  Orders  of  our  Church,  I  shall   lay 
before  the  Venerable   Board,   together  with  my  humble  opin- 
ion, what  ought  in  charity  to  be  done  for   the  support  of  their 
spiritual  wants,  my  mite  yearly,  whilst  life,  by  the  blessing  of 


540  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  Almighty,  shall  always  be  moving."a  Again  in  a  letter 
dated,  Barn  Island,  July  10th,  1763.  he  writes  : — "  I  am  humbly 
of  the  opinion,  that  with  the  advantage  of  my  benefactions,  the 
Church  of  Rye  may  be  able,  with  the  salary  the  government 
hath  settled  to  maintain  their  minister,  if  the  present  salary  from 
the  Society^of  £50  be  withdrawn,  which  was  partly  agreed  to 
by  the  late  worthy  Mr.  Wetmore,  whom  the  parishioners  never 
treated  according  to  his  merit.  The  people  are  wealthy,  and 
have  taken  very  irregular  steps  since  the  death  of  the  worthy 
missionary.  At  North  Castle,  about  eighteen  miles  from  Rye, 
there  is  great  want  of  a  missionary ;  the  church  there  is  within 
five  miles  of  Bedford,  and  about  seven  or  eight  miles  off  Crum- 
pond,  which  hath  applied  to  me,  and  if  New  Rochelle  was  joined 
to  East  and  Westchester,  I  am  humbly  of  opinion  that  church 
might  well  be  supplied,  as  it  is  not  four  miles  from  church  to 
church.  The  French  Protestants  understand  English  very 
well,  and  it's  also  my  humble  opinion  that  Col.  Frederick  Phil- 
ipse's  estate  is  able  to  build  several  churches,  and  to  settle  two 
hundred  acres  of  land  to  every  one  of  them,  and  that  he  and 
his  tenants  are  able  to  maintain  ministers  without  any  assistance 
from  the  Venerable  Board ."b  The  subjoined  extract  is  from  Mr. 
Dibble's  report  for  that  year.  ■" 

MR.  DIBBLEE  TO  THE   SECRETARY. 

"  Stamford,  Conn.,  New  England,  Oct.  28,  1765. 
Rev.  Sir, 
Mr.  Talbot  returning  with  me  I  waited  upon  him  the  next 
week  to  North  Castle,  and  on  the  24th  inst.  preached  a  lecture 
at  the  church  there  to  a  good  congregation,  in  consideration  of 
the  short  notice,  and  baptized  sundry  children.  Mr.  Avery, 
happily  settled  at  Rye,  tells  me  he  shall  be  ready  to  afford  them 
his  pious  assistance,  as  often  as  is  consistant  with  his  more  im- 
portant cure."c 


■  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  308-9-10.     (Hawks N 
1  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  310.     (Hawks.) 
*  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  506.  (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  CASTLE.  541 

Mr.  Talbot  whose  name  is  so  intimately  connected  with 
this  parish,  was  the  son  of  Thomas  Talbot,  Esq.,  a  lineal  de- 
scendant of  the  ancient  and  illustrious  house  of  Talbot  or  Tale- 
bot,a  as  the  name  was  originally  written.  He  was  born  at 
Dover,  in  the  County  of  Kent.  England,  25th  of  July,  1662, 
O.  S.,  was  graduated  at  one  of  the  Universities  about  16S3,  and 
came  to  America  in  the  early  part  of  the  18th  century.  He  was  a 
vestryman  of  Trinity  church,  New  York,  from  1720  to  1724, 
and  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society 
in  1759.  Mr.  Talbot  appears  to  have  been  a  pious,  learned  and 
zealous  man,  lived  to  the  great  age  of  one  hundred  and  five, 
and  spent  much  of  his  life  in  labouring  to  propagate  and  settle 
the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  this  Province.  The  follow- 
ing testimonial  in  regard  to  him  was  sent  to  the  Society,  by  his 
friend  Mr.  Dibble,  in  1762  : — "He  is  indefatigable  in  his  endea- 
vors to  serve  the  interests  ot  true  religion  and  our  Holy  Church, 
whose  services  I  find  universally  acceptable,  and  his  life  agreeable 
to  his  public  character."b  But  it  seems  he  had  some  eccentricities, 
which  gave  rise  to  many  false  reports  touching  his  reputation." 
The  following  notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  New  York 
Gazette,  for  May  14th,  1767  :— "  Thursday  last,  died  m  an  ad- 
vanced age,  on  Pipon's  Island,  St.  George  Talbot,  a  gentleman, 
noted  for  more -things  than  one  in  his  life  time,  and  we  are 
assured  his  last  will  and  testament  will  come  under-  as  odd  a 
description  ;  some  extracts  and  strictures  on  which,  'tis  said 
will  hereafter  be  made  public."  The  Society's  abstracts  for  1767 
say: — "By  letters  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Auchmuty,  rector  of 
Trinity  Church,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cooper,  President  of  King's  Col- 
lege, and  from  Mr.  Livingston  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Leming,  execu- 
tors, dated  May  16,  20  and  27,  1767,  the  Society  are   informed 


a  The  family  of  Talbot  deduces  its  descent  from  a  period  antecedent  to  the  Con- 
quest ;  but  the  first  of  note  upon  record  is  Richard  De  Talbot,  one  of  the  witnesses 
to  that  grant  which  Walter  Gifford,  Earl  of  Buckingham,  made  to  the  monks  of 
Cerasic  in  Normandy,  in  the  reigu  of  William  the  Conqueror.  Arms : — gu.  a  lion 
rampant,  or.  within  a  bordure,  indented  of  the  second.   Collins's    Peerag. 

k  Hawkin's  His.  Not.  of  the  Church  of  England.  Original  MSS.  in  Lambeth  Coll., 
vol.  xix,  p.  208. 


542  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

of  the  death  of  Mr.  St.  George  Talbot,  a  gentleman  often  men- 
tioned in  the  abstracts,  on  account  of  his  charitable  donations 
to  several  Churches  in  America,  who  departed  this  life  the  6th 
of  May,  1767,  and  has  left  the  Society,  after  a  few  legacies,  sole 
heirs  to  his  estate,  real  and  personal."51  The  subjoined  ex- 
tracts are  from  the  last  will  and  testament  of  St.  George  Talbot, 
Esq.,  executed  on  the  11th  day  of  May,  1765  :— 

"  I,  St  George  Talbot,  of  the  Town  and  Port  of  Dover  in  the  Kingdom  of  Great 
Britain,  now  an  inhabitant  of  the  city  of  New  York,  in  America,  (was  born  ye  25th 
day  of  July,  1663,  now  ye  5th  of  August.)  I  being  in  perfect  health  and  sound 
memory,  blessed  be  Almighty  God,  I  do  make  this  my  last  will  and  testament  as 
followeth  :  First  for  my  soul,  I  do  recommend  it  to  Him,  whose  due  it  is  by  three  fold 
right,  as  my  Creator  who  infused  it  into  me,  my  Redeemer,  who  fully  ransomed  it 
with  his  dearest  blood,  my  Sanctifier,  who  assisteth  me  in  greatest  assaults  and  temp- 
tations, &c.  I  do  now  every  day  expect  with  joy  to  appear  before  and  behold  the 
oreat  Jehovah  Elohim,  praise  the  Lord,  I  always  loved  and  praised  him,  praised  be 
his  holy  name,  the  omniscient,  omnipresent  and  almighty  God,  &c,  &c. 

Item,  I  give  and  bequeath  unto  Mrs.  Rachel  Gould,  my  faithful  housekeeper,  as 
a  reward  for  her  fidelity,  the  following  sums  of  money,  to  be  paid  her  yearly  as  long 
as  she  shall  survive  me,  from  the  several  parishes  where  I  have  given  several 
sums  of  money  as  the  several  deeds  relating  thereto  will  make  appear  :  first  Rye. 
North  Castle,  and  Bedford,  .£21  yearly,  from  Stamford  £24  10  yearly,  from  Derby, 
£3  10  yearly,  all  New  York  currency  ;  from  Fairfield  £1  yearly.  Other  donations 
designed  for  her,  I  shall  give  her,  or  make  provision  for  her  and  others,  in  a  codicil 
annexed  to  this  my  will ;  all  on  condition  that  she  Rachel  Gould,  remain  and  con- 
tinue single,  chaste  and  virtuous,  as  she  hath  done  mere  than  twenty-seven 
years  past,  since  I  became  first  acquainted  with  her,  &c.  Item,  I  have  given  for  ye 
promoting  of  true  religion  in  the  parish  of  Rye,  in  ye  County  of  Westchester,  and 
Colony  of  New  York,  £300  current  money  of  New  York,  which  I  delivered  in  trust 
for  the  use  of  the  Ven.  Society  to  ye  late  Rev.  James  Wetmore  deceased,  on  ye  24th 
of  Febuary,  1759,  for  which'  he  and  his  son  Timothy  Wetmore,  did  give  Bond  dated 
ye  11th  day  of  April,  1759,  &c.  Item,  I  have  given  for  ye  use  of  promoting  true 
religion  in  North  Castle  and  Bedford,  in  the  County  of  Westchester  in  the  Province 
of  New  York,  £600,  current  money  of  New  York,  which  I  delivered  in  trust  under 
the  patronage  and  for  the  use  of  the  Ven  Society,  and  put  into  the  hands  of  Col. 


»  Printed  abstracts  from  20th  of  February,  1767  to  19th  of  February,  1768.  One 
&f  the  missionaries  writing  May  27th,  1767,  says  :— "  Mr.  Talbot  has  left  a  nephew 
and  one  relativo  more,  and  bequeathed  the  greatest  part  of  his  estate  to  the  Society. 
His  executors  Mr.  Jno.  Livingston  a  worthy  parishioner,  Rev.  Mr.  Learning  the 
Society's  missionary  of  Norwalk,  and  Mrs.  Gould  his  housekeeper."  New  York, 
MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  420.     (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  CASTLE.  543 

■  v  -  VoDouald,  of  Bedford,  Caleb  Fowler,  William  Ogden  and  Charles  Haight 
•f  North  Castle,  all  in  the  said  County  and  Province,  on  ye  Gth  day  of  June,  1759, 
when  they  gave  their  obligation  Bond.  My  will  is,  that  the  one  shall  be  kept  out 
at  interest  for  ever  for  ye  benefit  of  the  parishioners,  church,  minister,  schoolmaster, 
good,  poor  and  needy,  for  the  time  being,  in  the  behalf  of  ye  incorporated  Honorable 
S  ociely,  for  ye  propagation  of  ye  gospel,  and  to  be  continued  to  them  so  long  as  they 
the  parishioners  shall  be  counted  worthy,  and  to  stand  in  need  of  the  same,  and  no 
longer,  then  it  .shall  be  in  the  trust  of  my  ever  living  heirs,  the  Venerable  Society 
to  move  the  samo,  supply  the  money  to  any  place  or  places,  where  they  shall  see  it 
more  needful,  and  that  shall  stand  in  want  of  such  charitable  assistance,  &c."* 

1 

The  above  will  was  proved  on  the  20th  of  November,  1767. 
The  Society's  abstracts  for  1770,  say:—"  From  letters  received 
by  Dr.  Auchmuty,  rector  of  Trinity  Church,  and  Mr.  Living- 
ston, (executor  of  the  late  Mr.  St.  George  Talbot,)  dated  Decem- 
ber 8th,  1769,  it  appears  that  the  heirs  at  law  leave  no  method 
untried  to  defeat  the  purposes  of  Mr.  Talbot's  will,  and  that  by 
evasive  practises  in  law,  the  cause  is  still  undetermined." 

In  1771,  Mr.  John  Livingston  informs  the  Propagation  Societyj 
"  that  with  regard  to  Mr.  Talbot's  will,  the  attorneys  have  judged 
it  expedient  to  come  to  an  agreement  with  the  heirs  of  Mr.  Tal- 
bot, by  which  the  executors  should  pay  them  £1300,  in  full 
for  their  claim  and  demand  on  the  real  and  personal  estate."  It 
will  be  seen,  however,  that  this  parish  did  not  receive  her  por- 
tion of  the  legacy  until  the  year  1803. 

Upon  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ebenezer  Punderson,  rector 
of  the  parish  in  1764,  the  new  church  continued  to  be  supplied 
by  his  successor,  the  Rev  Ephraim  Avery,  until  the  war  of  the 


„  Surrogate's  office,  N.  Y.,  vol.  xxv.  p.  68.  The  other  Legatees  named  in  his  will, 
were  the  children  of  his  brother  Thomas  Talbot,  and  of  his  two  sisters  Catherine 
and  Arabella  Talbot. 


544  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Revolution.  In  1 773  the  latter  informs  the  Society  : — "  That  the 
church  at  North  Castle,  which  hath  been  some  time  building  is 
in  a  tolerably  decent  state." 

During  the  war,  this  part  of  the  country  was  greatly  annoyed 
by  the  enemy,  who  frequently  made  sudden  inroads,  plundering 
and  capturing  the  defenceless  inhabitants.  Religious  services 
were  consequently  suspended,  and  for  a  long  time  St  George's 
church  Avas  occupied  as  a  guard-house  and  hospital  by  the  Con- 
tinental troops. 

The  first  incorporation  of  this  Church,  subsequent  to  the 
Revolution,  took  place  on  the  19th  of  April,  1789,  under  the 
style  and  title  of  "  the  Trustees  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  in  the  townships  of  Bedford  and  North  Castle."a 

In  consequence  of  an  Act  passed  for  the  relief  of  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church  on  the  17th  of  March,  1795,  this  Church 
was  again  incorporated  under  the  name  and  title  of  "  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  the  united  towns  of  Bedford  and 
New  Castle,  to  continue  by  the  regular  name  of  St.  George's 
Church."  Charles  Haight  of  New  Castle,  and  William  Miller, 
Esq.  of  Bedford,  churchwardens  ;  Samuel  Raymond,  Gabriel 
Smith,  David  Haight,  James  McDonald,  Marmaduke  Forster, 
Gilbert  Martin,  Nicholas  Haight  and  Samuel  Smith,  vestry- 
men.1'    At  this  period  the 

REV.  THEODOSIUS    BARTOW,  , 

appears  to  have  been  officiating  minister  for  the  united  parishes 
of  Bedford  and  New  Castle.  From  1804  to  1819  services  were 
performed  here  by  the  clergy  of  Bedford.  At  a  meeting  of 
the  vestry,  November  12th,  1796,  it  was  ordered  :--"  that  William 
Miller,  Esq.  be  empowered  to  commence  and  carry  on  a  suit 
against  Philip  I.  Livingston,  for  money  left  by  St.  George  Tal- 
bot to  the  Churches  of  Bedford  and  North  Castle."  At  a  meet- 
ing of  the  same  held  on  the  3d  of  March,  1803,  "  Mr.  Miller  in- 


8 Incorporation  of  Religious  Societies,  Lib.  A,  12. 
k  Incorporation  of  Religious  Societies,  Lib.  A,  64. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  CASTLE.  545 

formed  the  board,  that  the  money  bequeathed  to  the  united 
Churches  by  the  late  St.  George  Talbot,  had  been  recovered  by  a 
judgment,  obtained  in  the  Supreme  Court,  against  Philip  I.  Liv- 
ingston, and  the  said  money,  after  deducting  charges,  will  pro- 
bably amount  to  about  twenty-five  hundred  dollars."  In  1804 
Trinity  Church,  New  York,  liberally  endowed  the  united 
parishes  with  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  ;  also 
in  1808,  the  further  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

St.  George's  church,  which  had  stood  for  nearly  sixty  years, 
was  dismantled  in  1819,  and  (by  Mr.  Godfrey  Haines  acting  un- 
der authority  of  the  vestry)  sold  at  public  auction  for  the  paltry 
sum  of  forty  shillings.  It  deserves  however  to  be  recorded  that 
Judge  Miller,  one  of  the  wardens  of  the  united  parishes,  stren- 
uously opposed  its  destruction.  The  principal  part  of  the  tim- 
ber is  still  preserved  in  a  barn  on  the  property  of  Mr.  Hezekiah 
Raymond,  a  short  distance  only  from  the  old  burying  ground. 
From  that  time,  until  within  a  short  period,  services  have  been 
entirely  confined  to  Bedford. 

THE    CHURCH. 

In  1852,  through  the  zealous  efforts  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Harris  of 
White  Plains,  anew  church  was  built  within  a  few  yards  of  the 
site  of  old  St.  George's.  It  is  a  very  neat  and  church-like  struc- 
ture, and  is  pleasantly  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Kirby's  pond, 
the  waters  of  which  empty  into  the  Pepemighting  or  Kisco 
river.  St.  Mark's  church  was  opened  for  divine  service,  Jan- 
uary 25th,  1852,  on  which  occasion  the  Rev.  Pr.  Harris  preached 
a  sermon  from  Haggai  ii.  9  : — "  The  glory  of  this  latter  house 
shall  be  greater  than  of  the  former,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts: 
and  in  this  place  will  I  give  peace,  saith  the  Lord  of  hosts." 
The  following  notice  of  the  consecration  appeared  in  the 
Protestant  Churchman  for  April,  1852  : — c!  This  edifice  was  con- 
secrated to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  on  Wednesday  last,  by 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Carlton  Chase,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of 
New  Hampshire.  The  congregation  was  large,  and  the  services 
impressive.       There    were    presenf   beside     the     Bishop    and 

35 


546  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  rector  of  the  church,  nine  of  the  clergy. a  At  the 
request  of  the  Bishop,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Haight  preached.  The 
building  was  much  admired,  as  a  beautiful  model  for  a  country- 
church.  It  is  fifty  by  thirty  feet,  with  a  tower  projecting  eight 
feet  in  front,  and  is  constructed  of  the  best  materials  in  a  sub- 
stantial manner.  Its  cost,  exclusive  of  a  window  of  stained  glass 
in  the  church  and  the  furniture,  was  .$2050.  Nearly  three 
quarters  of  this  amount  was  raised  by  the  rector,  out  of  the 
place,  his  parish  at  White  Plains  contributing  in  a  collection, 
upwards  of  $350,  and  other  neighboring  parishes  aiding  also; 
in  addition  to  the  liberal  gifts  of  individual  funds.  The  '  Pas- 
toral Aid  Society '  by  an  appropriation  of  $300.  secured  the 
building  from  debt.  Thus,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  this 
new  church  has  been  completed,  and  our  services  revived 
where  long  since  they  had  ceased  to  be  celebrated.  The  old 
church,  which  was  opened  in  1761  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dibble,  a 
missionary  of  the  'Society  for  propagating  the  gospel,'  and 
which  was  taken  down  in  1S19,  stood  in  the  same  grave  yard, 
and  was  named  '  St.  George's  church.'  With  the  removal  of 
that  edifice  every  vestige  of  the  Church  was  effaced.  It  is  our 
devout  prayer,  that  such  neglect  may  not  again  be  witnessed, 
but  that  this  second  attempt  to  establish  our  worship  may  prove 
permanently  successful." 

St.  Mark's  Church  was  incorporated  on  the  7th  of  October, 
1S50,  Gilbert  Martin  and  Henry  D.  Tyler,  wardens,  Gilbert 
Brundage.  Thomas  Wright,  Thomas  Searies,  John  Cary,  Andrew 
Dunn,  Simeon  Wo-olsey,  George  W.  Brower,  and  Lewis  Tripp, 
vestrymen. 

In  April,  1852,  the  Rev.  Robert  W.  Harris,  D.  D.  resigned  the 
charge  of  this  parish,  and  St.  Stephen's,  North  Castle.  Both  are 
now  united  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Isaac  Dyckman 
Vermilye. 


r-  The  instrument  of  donation  was  read  by  the  Rector,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Harris,  and 
the  sentence  cf  conseciation  by  the  Rev.  S.  Weaver ;  morning  prayer  was  read  by 
the  Rev.  W.  F.  Halsey  and  the  Rev.  Isaac  D.  Vermilye,  Deacon. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NEW  CASTLE. 


547 


TOMBSTONES. 

In  memory  of  Isaac  Lounsberry,  who  was  born  Oct.  11th, 
1703.  and  died  March  3rd,  1773.  In  memory  of  James  Wright, 
who  was  born  March  14,  1721,  and  departed  this  life,  May  the 
17th,  1776,  aged  55  years  1  month  and  25  days.  In  memory 
of  Charles  Haight,  who  departed  this  life  the  3d  of  October. 
1799,  aged  S8  years  and  1  month.  In  memory  of  Deborah  Haight, 
wife  of  Charles  Haight,  who  died  November  23d,  1798,  in  the 
7Sth  year  of  her  age,  &c. 


A.  D.  1746, 
1762 
1S53 


NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

Communicants,  — 


12 


Baptisms,  14, 
II, 
"  2. 


The  first  delegate  from  this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Conven- 
tion in  17S7,  was  Stephen  James  de  Lancey,  Esq. 

In  1728,  the  Precinct  of  North  Castle  contained  30  heads  of 
families  and  young  men,  upon  whom  the  tax  was  levied. 

In  1782,  North  Castle  contained  558  white  inhabitants. 

In  1840,  the  population  of  New  Castle  alone  was  1,529. 

In  1850,  the  population  was  1,  716. 


St.  Mark's  Church. 


HISTORY 


or  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OF 


NORTH    SALEM. 


Prior  to  the  Revolution  the  two  districts  of  upper  and  lower 
Salem  constituted  the  old  township  of  Salem  proper,  within 
Cortlandt's  manor,  but  in  178S  they  were  separately  organized. 

Stephanus  Yan  Cortlandt,  Lord  of  the  manor  of  Cortlandt, 
who  purchased  these  lands  of  the  Indians  in  1699,  by  his  will  in 
1700,  devised  the  whole  manor  to  his  eleven  children.  In  1734 
the  devisees  made  a  partition  thereof  among  themselves.  By 
this  division  upper  Salem  fell  principally  to  the  share  of  Eti- 
enne  de  Lancey,  Esq.,  who  married  Anne  Yan  Cortlandt,  the 
second  daughter  of  the  proprietor  of  the  manor. 

The  De  Lancey's,  from  whom  a  large  portion  of  Salem  obtained 
the  appellation  of  De  Lancey's  patent,  are  a  branch  of  the  ancient 
and  honorable  house  of  De  Lanci  of  Picardy,  France,  spring- 
ing from  Jean  de  Lanci,  ecuyer,  Yicompte  of  Laval  and 
Nouvian,  who  was  born  in  the  latter  part  of  the  15th 
century  and  died  May,  1525.  Etienne  or  Stephen  de  Lan- 
cey was  born  at  Caen  in  Normandy,  A.  D.,  1662,  and  was 
one    of   those   Huguenots    who    fled    from    France     on    th~ 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  149 

revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes  in  1685.  By  this  step 
he  forfeited  his  right  to  the  ancestral  title  and  estates,  to  which 
he  was  then  heir.  Obliged  to  depart  suddenly,  he  took  nothing 
with  him  but  his  mother's  blessing,  and  some  family  jewels 
which  she  concealed  about  his  person.  He  went  to  Rotterdam 
in  Holland,  from  whence,  after  a  short  stay,  he  crossed  over  to 
London,  where  on  March  the  11th,  1686,  he  took  out  letters 
patent  of  denization  under  the  great  seal,  and  shortly  after  sailed 
for  New  York,  where  he  arrived  June  7th,  1686,  and  on  the  12th 
of  July  following  was  admitted  a  freeman  under  the  seal  of  the 
city.  He  at  once  began  the  business  of  a  merchant.  His  integ- 
rity, education,  and  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  jewels  given 
him  by  his  mother,  being  his  only  capital.  He  soon  became  an 
eminent  and  wealthy  man,  was  appointed  a  member  of  the 
Court  of  Admiralty  in  1690,  was  Alderman  of  the  south  ward, 
from  1691  to  1694,  represented  the  city  in  the  Assembly  of  the 
Province  from  1702  to  1716,  and  again  from  1725  to  1737.  He 
was  a  liberal  benefactor  to  Trinity  Church  and  a  vestryman  of 
the  same  at  his  death  in  1741,  and  for  many  years  preceding 
that  event.  By  his  wife  Anne  Van  Cortlandt,  he  left  four  sons, 
James,  Peter,  Stephen  and  Oliver,  and  two  daughters,  Susannah, 
(Lady  Warren)  and  Anne,  (Mrs.  Watts,)  to  whom  he  devised  all 
his  property  in  equal  shares.  To  his  eldest  son  James 
fell  all  his  lands  in  this  parish.  This  individual,  who 
was  born  in  1702,  received  his  education  at  Corpus  Christi 
College,  in  the  University  of  Cambridge,  England.  He  returned 
to  his  native  land  in  1725,  and  afterwards  held  the  first  honors 
which  the  country  could  bestow,  first,  as  a  member  of  the  Gov- 
ernor's Council  in  1728,  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1731, 
Chief  Justice  in  1733,  and  Lieutenant  Governor1  of  the  Province 


■  Being  a  Native  American,  he  could  not  be  appointed  Governor  directly,  it  being 
contrary  to  the  then  policy  of  the  British  Government  to  appoint  natives  of  Colonies 
to  supreme  command.  Desiring  that  Mr.  De  Lancey  should  rule  the  Province  in 
1757,  the  Ministry,  on  the  resignation  of  Sir  Charles  Hardy,  the  Governor  in  that 
year,  declined  to  appoint  a  new  Governor,  and  thus  made  Mr.  De  Lancey  Governor 
in  fact,  though  not  in  name. 


550  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

in  1747.  He  married  Anne,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Caleb  Heath- 
cote,  Lord  of  the  manor  of  Scarsdale,  and  died  30th  of  July, 
1760.  The  following  notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  Bos- 
ton Gazette  for  August  11th,  17G0:— "New  York,  August  4th. 
On  Wednesday  morning  last,  died  at  his  seat,  the  Hon.  James 
de  Lancey,  our  Lieutenant  Governor,  in  the  57th  year  of  his 
age.  This  unexpected  event,  for  he  was  in  perfect  health  the 
evening  before,  threw  the  whole  city  into  the  deepest  sorrow 
and  amazement.  A  pain  in  the  breast  awaked  him  at  three 
and  continued  with  intermission  till  about  .nine  in  the  morning, 
when,  before  he  apprehended  the  necessity  of  a  physician,  seized 
with  a  fit.  he  suddenly  expired."  His  remains  were  deposited 
with  great  ceremony  in  the  family  vault  in  the  middle  aisle  of 
old  Trinity  church,  New  York.  In  1744  he  conveyed  all  his 
property  here  to  his  second  son,  Stephen  James  de  Lancey,  who 
in  1750  began  the  settlement  of.  the  tract,  and  was  the  founder 
and  a  liberal  benefactor  of  this  parish,  and  for  some  time 
a  lay  reader  in  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church.  He  died  on 
the  1st  of  January,  1795,  without  issue,  and  was  buried  at  Fish- 
kill.  He  was  succeeded  in  his  estat6  here  by  his  brother  John 
Peter  de  Lancey  of  Mamaroneck,  (father  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  William 
Heathcote  de  Lancey,  D.  D.  D.  C.  L.  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of 
Western  New  York,)  who  in  1823  devised  all  his  farms  and 
lands  at  North  Salem,  to  his  daughters,  Elizabeth  Caroline,  and 
Martha  Arabella  de  Lancey,  and  Susan  Augusta,  wife  of  Feni- 
more  Cooper. 

This  parish,  which  appears  to  have  been  formerly  united  with 
Ridgefield  and  Ridgebury,  was  first  organized  under  the  minis- 
try of  Mr.  Dibble  of  Stamford,  Conn,  about  the  year  1750.  At 
that  period,  we  are  informed,  there  was  no  minister  of  the 
Church  in  the  county  nearer  than  Rye,  between  thirty  and  forty 
miles  distant  from  Salem.     The  * 

REV.  EBENEZER  DIBBLE,  A.  M. 

was  the  eldest  son  of  Wakefield  Dibble1  of  Danbury,  Conn.. 

*  The  will  of  Wakefield  Dibble,  which  was  proved  May  2d.  1734,  bears  date  Jan. 
3stj  1733-4.     He  directs  his  executors  to  pay  all  <:  ye  charges  which  do.  or     may 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  55 L 

whose  ancestor  Thomas  Dibble,  was  a  freeman  of  Dorchester. 
Mass.,  in  1639.  "He  was  born  at  Danbnry  in  1712,  graduated 
at  Yale  in  1734,  and  was  a  convert  from  the  Congregational 
persuasion  of  religion  to  the  Episcopal  Church.  lie  went  to 
England  for  Holy  Orders  in  1747,  returned  to  New  York,  the 
23d  of  October,  1748,  and  was  appointed  missionary  at  Stam- 
ford, where  he  arrived  on  the  25th."a  The  following  extract 
occurs  in  a  letter  of  his  to  the  Yen.  Society. 

MR.  DIBBLE E  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 

"Stamford  in  Conn.,  N.  E.,  March  25th.  1761. 
Rev.  Sir, 

I  preached  at  Salem,  in  the  Upper  District,  on  Sunday,  the 
22d  of  February  last,  to  a  very  large  congregation,  and  the  poor 
people  scattered  about  in  the  wilderness,  are,  I  am  informed, 
concerting  measures  to  build  a  small  church,  as  a  private  house 
will  seldom  contain  the  people  that  went  to  church  when  I 
preach  among  them,  which  is  as  often  as  the  duties  of  my 
extensive  mission  will  permit."13    • 

The  next  year  Mr.  St.  George  Talbot,  a  liberal  benefactor  of 
the  Church  in  this  county,  thus  addresses  the  same  : — 

ST.  GEORGE  TALBOT  TO  THE  SECRETARY.  * 

(extract.) 

"  Barn  Island,  July  10th,  1763. 

On  my  return  from  Connecticut,  I  desired  Mr.  Dibble  to  ac- 
company me  to  Salem,  where  he  preached  the  first  Sunday  in 


arise  upon  yo  education  of  his  son  Ebenezer,  also  .£30  towards  famishing  him   with 
books,  Sec."     Probate  Rec.  Fairfield   Co.,  171G-35,  p.  263.     The  Arms  of  Diable, 
Dible  or  Dibble,  are  : — Sa,  on  a  chief  argent,  a  lion  passant,  gu — Crest,  on  a  chapeau, 
a  lion  statant  guardant,  ducally  gorged,  tail  extended. 
"Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham.     (Hawks.) 
h  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  pp.  404-5.      (Hawks.) 


552  HISTORY  0¥  THE  PARISH 

Trinity  to  a  large  congregation,  notwithstanding  it  was  a  very 
rainy  day,  too  many  to  be  able  to  be  accommodated  in  a  private 
house,  and  gave  the  communion  to  about  thirty  persons  who 
behaved  very  decently.  There  they  have  built  and  almost  covered 
a  church  ;  this  is  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  which  people 
Mr.  Dibble  hath  taken  principally  care  of  for  several  years. 
This  church  at  Salem  is  about  four  miles  from  Ridgebury,  to 
the  west,  and  seven  miles  from  Ridgefleld,  where  they  have 
raised  a  church,  &c,  &c".a 

The  church  to  which  Mr.  Talbot  alludes  in  the  foregoing  let- 
ter, was  built  on  land  given  for  that  purpose  in  1763,  and  was 
first  opened  for  divine  worship  in  August  of  1766,  by  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Dibble,  as  appears  from  the  subjoined  communication  : — 

MR.  DIBBLEE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 
'•'  Stamford,  Conn.,  N.  E.,  Oct.  7th,  1766. 
Rev.  Sir, 
I  preached  on  Sunday  in  August  in  the  new  church  in  the 
upper  district  of  Salem,  to  a  numerous  devoutly  behaved  congre- 
gation, and  gave  the  Holy  Communion  to  about  thirty  communi- 
cants, and  baptised  fifteen  children.  In  compassion  to  their  cir- 
cumstances, and  the  people  of  Ridgebury  and  Ridgefield,  who 
are  contiguous  upon  the  borders  of  Connectic  ut,  Mr.  Learning 
and  I  have  recommended  to  read  divine  service  and  sermons  to 
them,  Mr.  Epenetus  Townsend,  a  very  exemplary,  sober,  wor- 
thy young  gentleman,  graduated  at  King's  college,  New  York, 
who  is  very  acceptable  to  the  people,  whom  we  wisli  to  have  set- 
tled among  them,  provided,  upon  their  qualifying  themselves, 
they  might  be  so  happy  as  to  obtain  the  Honourable  Society's 
encouragement.  Contiguous  to  Salem  is  Cortlandt's  manor  and 
Philipse's  Patent,  where  numbers  of  poor  people  are  settled,  and 
stand  in  great  need  of  proper  instruction,  many  already  profess- 

a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  317.     (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  553 

ing,  and  others  well  disposed  to  our  holy  Church  notwith- 
standing their  distance,  it  being  about  twenty-five  miles  to  the 
upper  district  of  Salem.  As  no  other  missionary  is  contiguous,  to 
be  as  extremely  useful  as  may  be,  and  in  tenderness  to  their 
spiritual  wants,  I  have  afforded  them  what  assistance  I  could, 
consistant  with  the  duties  of  my  particular  cure,  for  fifteen  or 
sixteen  years  past,  to  the  prejudice  of  my  family,  and  my  in- 
come for  twelve  years,  being  too  considerable  to  my  neces- 
sities. ;'«a 

The  following  curious  items,  relative  to  the  building  of 
the  church,  are  taken  from  an  old  account  book  in  the 
possession  of  Mr.  John  Close  : — "  October  the  year  1764, 1,  Ebe- 
nezer  Brown  of  Salem,  have  received  of  Samuel  Cole  of  Cort- 
landt  manor,  the  ful  and  just  sum  of  five  pounds,  received  by  me 
on  the  acompt  of  the  meeten  house.  To  cash  by  Nathan, 
0  5  0.  17G5Abner  Benedict,  cradit  to  a  log,  for  the  fore  that  made 
140  feet  to  15S  feet  of  oak  bords,  0  2  16.  For  the  meeten  house, 
0  7  12.  To  370  feet  of  bords  by  Crane,  0  18  6."  This  edifice 
which  was  about  forty  feet  long  and  thirty  wide,  (surrounded 
by  a  yard  or  burying  ground  nearly  two  rods  in  width)  was 
situated  in  the  south  east  corner  of  farm  No.  12,  and  north  lot 
No.  10  of  Cortlandt's  manor.  Upon  the  13th  of  June,  1769, 
Stephen  de  Lancey  and  wife  conveyed  to  the  Rev.  Epenetus 
Townsend,  "  all  that  land  being  part  of  farm  No.  12  in  north 
lot  No.  10,  beginning  at  a  white  oak  bush,  and  runs  south  west 
26  degrees,  8  chains  and  24  links,  to  a  pile  of  stones,  thence 
south  west  17  degrees,  16  chains  and  13  links,  to  a  pile  of  stones, 
thence  north  east  88  degrees,  25  chains  and  50  links,  to  a  pile  of 
stones,  thence  south  east  74  degrees  and  a  half,  6  chains  and  45 
links  to  a  stake  and  stones  by  the  church,  then  north  east  fifteen 
degrees,  5  chains  and  35  links  to  the  oblong  line,  then  south 
east  10  degrees,  21  chains  and  25  links  to  a  stake  on  the  same 


a  Connecticut  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  520.  (Hawks.)  One  of  the 
missionaries  of  tho  Society  writing  in  17G0  says  : — "  Rye  tried  to  prevail  upon  him 
(Mr.  Dibble)  but  tho  good  man  though  in  greater  nood  of  better  support,  apprehen- 
sive of  tho  great  detriment  it  would  be  to  that  Church  (Stamford)  has  refused." 


554  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

line,  the  south  west,  to  the  place  of  beginning,  containing  60 
acres,  exclusive  of  the  ground  upon  which  the  church,  church- 
yard and  burying- ground  stand,  which  is  not  included  in  this 
grant,  &c."a  On  this  land,  adjoining  the  church,  Mr.  Townsend 
erected  the  same  year  a  large  dwelling  house,  which  is  still  stand- 
ing and  occupied  by  the  venerable  Epenetus  Wallace,  M.  D.; 
whose  predecessors  purchased  from  the  heirs  of  the  former.11 
About  1810  Dr.  Wallace  exchanged  with  the  vestry  the  site  of 
the  present  church  for  the  old  location,  which  has  been  recently 
sold  to  the  Presbyterian  Society.  Stephen  J.  de  Lancey,  Esq. 
also  bequeathed  the  Church  three  quarters  of  an  acre  of  land, 
bordering  on  the  Somerstown  road  for  the  same  purpose,  and 
a  bell. 

The  worthy  and  venerable  Mr.  Dibble,  the  founder  of  this 
parish,  died  at  Stamford,  Conn,  in  the  year  1799.  The  follow- 
ing notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  Churchman's  Magazine 
for  that  year  : — "  The  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dihblee,  D.  D.  was 
a  missionary  from  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel 
in  Foreign  parts,  at  Stamford  in  Conn.,  and  was  considered  by 
them  as  one  of  their  most  active  and  zealous  missionaries.  He 
was  a  native  of  that  State,  and  born  at  Danbury,  and  graduated 
at  Yale  in  1734.  In  the  course  of  his  ministry  he  used  great 
diligence  and  fidelity,  and  not  only  served  his  congregation  at 
Stamford  to  their  satisfaction  ;  but  he  annually  visited  many 
vacant  parishes  on  week  days,  and  also  on  Sundays  as  often  as 
he  could  be  spared  from  his  people.  Dr.  Dibblee  was  a  con- 
vert from  the  Congregational  persuasion  of  religion  to  the  Epis- 
copal Church.  After  he  left  college,  he  was  at  first  licensed  as  a 
candidate  among  the  Dissenters,  and  allowed  to  preach  in  their 
congregations.  He  went  to  England  for  Holy  Orders  in  1747. 
This  worthy  and  venerable  clergyman  died  in  the  year  1799, 


1  County  Rec.  Liber  H.  p.  384. 

s  Jonathan  Townsend,  executor  of  the  last  will  of  Micajah  Townsend,  late  of 
Queens  County,  deceased,  sold  lands  in  this  town  to  Nath.  Brown  and  others  in 
1786.  See  Co.  Rec.  Epenetus  Wallace,  M.  D.  was  born  in  1766  and  baptized  by 
Mr.  Townsend. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  555 

old  and  full  of  days,  highly  respected  and  much  lamented 
by  his  congregations.  His  funeral  was  attended  by  a  large  con- 
course of  people,  and  he  went  to  the  grave  like  a  shock  of  corn 
fully  ripe  for  the  garner."a  A  neat  marble  tablet  has  been 
since  erected  to  his  memory  in  St.  John's  church.  Stamford. 

x\bout  the  year  1764,  this  parish  united  with  the  Churches  of 
Ridgefield  and  Ridgebury.  in  Connecticut,  and  engaged  Mr. 
Richard  S.  Clark  to  read  divine  service  and  sermons  on  Sundays. 
This  gentleman,  afterwards  the 

REY.  RICHARD  SAMUEL   CLARK,  A.  M., 

was  the  fifth  son  of  Samuel  Clark  of  "West  Haven,  Conn.,  where 
he  was  born  A.  D.  1737.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in 
1762.  He  received  also  the  degree  of  Batchelor  of  Arts  from 
King's  College,  New  York,  the  same  year,  and  that  of  A.  M.  in 
1766.  He  afterwards  officiated  here  as  a  lay  reader,  and  in  1766 
went  to  England  for  Holy  Orders.  His  license  from  the  Bishop 
of  London  to  officiate  in  the  Plantations,  bears  date  February 
25th,  1767.  He  returned  the  same  year,  and  was  appointed 
missionary  at  New  Milford,  Conn.,  and  had  the  care  of  that 
parish  till  17S6,  when  he  went  to  New  Brunswick,  and  was  set- 
tled at  Gagetown  in  that  Province.  A  son  of  his  is  the  pre- 
sent minister  of  that  place.  He  died  at  St.  Stephen's  on  the  St. 
Croix,  in  1S24.  Some  of  his  grandchildren  are  now  living  in 
New  Haven,  Conn.b  Mr.  Sabine,  in  his  biographical  sketches 
of  American  Loyalists,  says  of  him: — '•'•  that  the  tablet  which 
covers  his  remains,  records  that  he  was  minister  of  New  Mil- 
ford,  Connecticut,  nineteen  years,  of  C4agetown,  New  Bruns- 
wick, twenty-five  years,  and  of  St.  Stephen's,  New  Brunswick, 


*  Churchman's  Magazine,  new  series,  vol.  iv.  269-270. 

1  See  Rer.  A.  B.  Chapin's  Hist,  of  Christ's  Church,  West  Haven.  The  Clark's  of 
Conn,  are  presumed  to  have  descended  from  the  Clark's  of  Bedfordshire,  England, 
whose  arms  were  : — Per  chev  az.  and  ar.  in  chief  three  leopard's  heads  or.  in 
base  an  eagle  displayed  gu, — Crest,  a  goat  salient  ar.  attired  or.  agaiust  a  pine 
tree  proper. 


556  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

thirteen  years ;  in  all,  an  Episcopal  clergyman  for  fifty-seven 
years.  He  was  the  first  rector  of  the  church  at  St.  Stephen's, 
and  the  oldest  missionary  in  the  present  British  Colonies.  He 
was  much  beloved  by  the  people  of  his  charge,  and  his  memory 
is  still  cherished.  He  died  at  St.  Stephen's,  October  6, 1824,  aged 
eighty-seven.  His  wife  Rebecca,  died  at  the  same  place,  May 
7th,  1816,  aged  sixty-nine.  His  only  surviving  daughter,  Mary 
Ann,  who  was  born  in  Connecticut  before  his  removal,  and  who 
was  never  married,  died  at  Gagetown,  New  Brunswick,  Feb. 
1844,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three,  highly  and  deservedly 
lamented." 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Clark,  the  parish,  by  the  advice 
of  Mr.  Dibble,  employed  Mr.  Epenetus  Townsend  as  a  lay  reader. 
On  the  17th  of  October,  1767,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Auchmuty, 
D.  D.,  rector  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  addressed  a  letter 
to  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  enclosing  the  following 
petition  from  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  Salem  : — 

THE  CHURCHWARDENS  AND  VESTRY  OF  SALEM, 
&c.  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

11  Salem  in  Westchester  County,  Province  of  New  York,  ) 

August  31st,  1767.  ) 

May  it  please  the  Venerable  Society, 
We,  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestry  of  Salem,  and  parts  con- 
tiguous in  the  Province  of  New  York  in  America,  beg  leave  in 
behalf  of  ourselves  and  poor  brethren,  professors  of  the  Church 
of  England,  to  lay  before  you  our  unhappy  circumstances  ;  for 
want  of  proper  religious  instruction  and  constant  administration 
°f  God's  word  and  sacraments,  according  to  our  religious  pro- 
fession, there  being  no  minister  of  our  Holy  Church  in  the  Prov- 
ince nearer  than  Rye,  between  thirty  and  forty  miles  distant 
to  Salem,  and  upon  Cortlandt's  manor  and  Philipse's  patent. 
Many  of  us  already  have  a  high  esteem  for  the  doctrines,  wor- 
ship and  government  of  the  Church  of  England ;  some  of  us 
embrace  every  opportunity  we  have  of  communicating  with 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  557 

Ihe  same,  and  a  number  of  others  are  well  disposed  to  the 
Church,  many  of  whom  are  not  under  the  care  of  a  minister 
of  any  denomination.  Through  the  goodness  and  compassion  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Dibblee,  the  nearest  missionary,  about  twenty-five  miles 
distant)  who  for  many  years  hath  annually  visited,  preached  and 
administered  divine  ordinances  to  us  and  our  children,  as  often  as 
he  judges  consistant  with  the  duties  of  his  extensive  cure,  our 
numbers,  and  zeal  to  the  Church  establishment  have  increased. 
To  prepare  the  way  for  the  settled  administration  of  religion,  we 
have  erected  a  decent  church  with  galleries,  on  the  borders  of 
Cortlandt's  manor,  a  convenient  spot  of  ground  for  the  church 
and  burying  yard,  being  given  us  for  that  purpose  by  the  good 
Mr.  Stephen  de  Lancey,  present  proprietor.  We  have  covered, 
closed  and  glazed  the  house,  and  have  met  in  it  for  some  time. 
As  the  laws  of  this  government  have  made  no  provision  for  the 
establishment  and  support  of  religion  in  general,  and  the  Lord's 
day  is  too  little  regarded  ;  in  tender  regard  to  ourselves  and 
families,  and  to  prevent  our  children  falling  a  prey  to  one  or 
more  of  the  numerous  sects,  which  abound  among  us,  such  as 
Quakers,  New  Light  Independents,  Baptists,  Antinomians,  &c, 
whose  principles,  both  civil  and  religious,  we  think  destructive 
of  all  religion,  peace  and  good-order  ;  we  formerly  united  with 
our  brethren  of  the  Church  at  Ridgefield  and  Ridgebury,  on  the 
borders  of  Connecticut  Colony,  and  engaged  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Clark  to  read  divine  service  and  sermons  to  us  on  Sundays; 
Since  Mr.  Clark  left  us,  by  the  advice  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dibble 
and  Mr.  Learning,  we  have  employed  the  worthy  Mr*.  Epenetus 
Townsend,  who  hath  foi\some  time  alternately  read  to  us,  and 
the  people  of  Ridgefield  and  Ridgebury,  whose  exemplary  life, 
sober  conversation  and  devout  performance  of  religious  offices, 
highly  recommended  him  to  our  esteem  ;  and  as  we  have  advicej 
that  he  hath  leave  from  the  Society  to  go  for  Holy  Orders,  we 
humbly  beg  the  Venerable  Society  in  compassion  to  our  un- 
happy state,  would  be  pleased  to  appoint  him  their  missionary 
to  us  at  Salem,  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  and  to  itinerate 
among  such  poor  people  as  stand  in  need  of  his  instruction, 
with  such  a  salary  as  in  their  wisdom  they  think  proper.      We 


558  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

have  already  purchased  six  acres  of  good  land  contiguous  to  the 
church,  and  made  it  over  for  a  glebe  for  the  use  of  a  minister 
of  the  Church  of  England,  or  missionary  for  the  time  being,  for 
ever,  and  promise  to  build  a  decent,  convenient  house  for  his  use 
when  required^  and  as  the  poor  people  of  Ridgefield  and  Ridge- 
bury  by  the  concurrence  of  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestry 
in  this  memorial  hope  to  be  indulged  in  being  included  under 
his  care,  having  formerly  a  conjunction  with  some  of  the  neigh- 
bouring places  in  the  province  of  New  York  experienced  the 
goodness  and  compassion  of  the  Venerable  Society  in  appoint- 
ing the  Rev.  Mr.  Lamson  to  officiate  among  them,  being  many 
in  number,  having  built  a  church  in  each  of  those  places,  Ridg- 
field  but  eight,  and  Ridgebury  but  four  miles  from  Salem,  but 
at  such  a  distance  from  Norwalk  that  they  can  expect  but  very 
little  service  from  the  Rev.  Mr.  Learning,  whereupon  we  have 
unitedly  sent  our  respective  bDnds  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Auchmuty 
of  New  York,  in  trust,  obliging  ourselves  to  pay  in  each  place 
equal  to  £10  sterling  per  annum,  on  the  whole  amounting  to 
£30  per  annum,  to  the  missionary  for  the  time  being,  and  we 
no  longer  expect  the  Society's  favor  than  we  shall  continue  to 
deserve  it."a 

Upon   the   receipt  of  this  petition  the  Society  granted  their 
request,  and  appointed  the 

REV.  EPENETUS   TOWNSEND,  A.  M. 

missionary;  a  gentleman  educated  in  King's  College,  and  whose 
exemplary  life  and  sober  conversation,  they  have  already  had 
experience  of.  He  was  the  third  son  of  Micajah  Townsend 
and  Elizabeth  Piatt,  and  grairison  of  John  Townsendb  of.Oys-- 

a  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  p.  433-5.  (Hawks.) 
b  This  ancient  family  deduces  its  descent  from  Ludovic,  a  noble  Norman,  who  set- 
tling in  England  during  the  reign  of  Henry  I,  assumed  the  surname  of  Townsend, 
and  by  marrying  with  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heiress  of  Sir  Thomas  de  Haville 
obtained  the  manor  of  Raynham,  in  the  county  of  Norfolk,  which  has  ever  since  re 
mained  in  the  possession  of  his  descendants.  Among  the  early  English  emigrants  to 
Boston  and  its  vicinity,  were  John,  Henry  and  William  Townsend,  brothers.  John 
Townsend  of  Oyster  Bay,  in  1677,  had  five  sons.  Micajah,  his  second  son  was  born 
:n  1699,  married  23d  of  April,  1732  and  died  Nov.  9,  1781. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  559 

ter  Bay,  L.  I.,  who  settled  at  that  place  in  1G77.  He  was  born 
at  Cedar  Swamp,  near  Oyster  Bay,  in  April,  1742,  entered  King's 
College  (now  Columbia)  in  1755,  was  admitted  Batchelor  of 
Arts  pro  forma  in  1758,  and  graduated  Master  of  Arts  in  1762. 
After  officiating  for  a  short  time  as  a  lay  reader,  he  went  to 
England  in  the  fall  of  1767,  for  Holy  Orders. 

In  a  letter  of  Oct.  1st,  1767,  Mr.  Dibble  of  Stamford,  Writes  to 
the  Secretary  as  follows : — "  Mr.  Townsend  thankfully  accepts 
the  leave  to  go  home  for  Holy  Orders ;  and  if  the  Society  is 
not  pleased  to  appoint  him  their  missionary  at  Salem  and  parts 
contiguous,  where  he  is  much  wanted,  he  will  submit  to  the  supe- 
rior wisdom  and  direction  of  the  Society."3  Mr.  Townsend's 
license  from  the  Bishop  of  London  to  officiate  as  a  missionary 
in  this  Province,  bears  date  December  21st,  1767.  The  follow- 
ing notice  of  his  return  appeared  in  the  New  York  Mercury  for 
April  25th,  1768  :— "  The  Rev.  Mr.  Townsend  arrived  last 
Saturday,  (22d)  in  the  Hope  from  London."  Upon  the  29th  of 
September,  176S,  he  informed  the  Venerable  Society  : — "  That 
he  arrived  at  his  mission,  on  'the  26th  of  May,  1768,  and  was 
kindly  received.  The  Churchwardens  also  of  Salem,  in  the 
name  of  the  people  belonging  to  the  mission,  have  returned 
thanks  to  the  Society  for  Mr.  Townsend's  appointment."  "At 
Salem  and  Ridgefield,  there  are  one  hundred  and  fifty  Church 
people.  At  Ridgefield,  eighty."  Mr.  Townsend  was  formally  in- 
ducted on  Sunday,  the  29th  of  May,  1768,  by  his  predecessor, 
the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibble,  who  preached  a  sermon  on  the  oc- 
casion.13 

Eight  months  prior  to  this  event  Mr.  Dibble  writes,  Oct.  1st, 
1767; — "I  preached  on  Sunday  23d  of  August  last  at  Salem 
toanumerous  and  devout  congregation,  baptised  sundry  children, 
and  gave  the  communion  the  first  and  second  Sundays  after 
Trinity  last."c     Mr.  Townsend  was  married  to  Lucy  Beach, 


•  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  511.     (Hawks.) 
b  Fowler's  MS.  Biographies  of  the  Clergy,  vol.  vi.  1061. 
e  Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  p.  541,  (Hawks.) 


560  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH  ■ 

in  St.  James'  church,  Newtown,  L.  I.  on  the  10th  of  September, 
1709.  Upon  the  29th  of  the  same  month,  he  thus  addresses  the 
Society  : — 

MR.  TOWNSEND  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 
"  Salem,  Province  of  New  York,  Sept.  29th,  1769. 

Rev.  Sir, 
Having  nothing  of  importance  to  acquaint  the  Society  with  in 
the  spring,  I  deferred  writing  till  now.  I  have  constantly  per- 
formed divine  service  equally  in  my  three  churches  of  Salem, 
Ridgeneld  and  Ridgebury,  in  each  of  which  places,  people  are 
zealous  in  their  attendance  on  public  worship  ;  and  I  have  the 
pleasure  to  observe  that  thro'  the  divine  blessing  on  my  labours, 
each  of  those  congregations  is  something  increased.  Since  my 
arriving  to  the  mission  I  have  baptised  in  the  year  past,  two 
adults  and  thirty  infants,  and  have  received  between  three  or  four 
communicants,  but  expect  several  more  very  soon.  The  fatigue 
which  necessarily  arises  from  a  steady  performance  of  my  duty 
in  these  three  places,  I  have  hitherto,  and  I  trust  in  God  I  shall 
for  the  future  be  enabled  to  undergo  with  cheerfulness,  though 
I  expect  it  will  in  a  little  while  be  increased  ;  occasioned  by  the 
building  of  a  new  church  in  Salem,  which,  when  it  is  finished, 
I  propose,  with  the  Society's  leave,  to  officiate  in  sometimes. 
To  acquaint  the  Society  with  the  propriety  of  building  a  new 
church  at  Salem  I  would  observe,  that  Salem  is  a  township  12 
miles  in  length  and  but  two  in  breadth,  joining  on  the  one  side  to 
Conn,  and  on  the  other  partly  to  Cortlandt's  manor,  which  ex- 
tends twenty  miles  westward  to  Hudson  river,  and  partly  to 
another  patent,  which  extends  several  miles  westward  toward 
Bedford,  which  is  the  utmost  limit  of  Mr.  Avery's  mission.  The 
church  which  is  already  built,  is  situated  within  about  two 
miles  of  the  north  end  of  Salem,  on  the  borders  of  Cortlandt's 
manor,  as  the  Society  was  informed  in  the  petition  of  the 
Churchwardens  and  Vestry.     It  was  built  by  the  people  of  this 


AND  CHURCH  OP  NORTH  SALEM.  561 

part  of  Salem  and  Cortlandt's  manor  in  conjunction,  and  this  con- 
gregation is  something  larger  than  either  of  those  in  Conn., 
there  being  generally  in  good  weather,  in  the  summer  season, — 
upwards  of  200  people  assembled.  The  church  which  I  ex- 
pect will  soon  be  built  in  Salem  will  be  about  five  or  six  miles 
to  the  southward,  and  about  two  or  three  miles  to  the  westward 
from  Ridgefield,  Conn.,  where  I  have  been  infprmed  there  are  near 
thirty  families  of  Church  people,  besides  a  considerable  number 
ill  places  very  contiguous,  for  whom  it  is  extremely  difficult  to 
attend  public  worship,  either  at  Ridgefield,  or  at  the  church 
towards  the  north  end  of  Salem,  in  the  borders  of  Cortlandt's 
manor  where  I  reside.  When  this  church  is  built,  (if  the  Society 
approves  of  my  officiating  in  it  sometimes,  besides  my  atten- 
dance at  the  other  three  churches;)  I  would  request  the  favor 
of  the  Society  to  give  a  quarto  common  prayer  book  and  bible 
to  that,  as  they  have  to  the  other  churches  of  Salem  and  Ridge- 
bury.  I  know  that  my  fatigue  in  attending  so  many  churches 
must  be  great ;  and  that  people  cannot  receive  so  much  profit 
as  might  be  wished  from  the  labors  of  a  minister,  when  they  are 
divided  between  so  many  places.  But  as  for  the  fatigue,  I  trust 
that  God  will  enable  me  to  bear  it,  and  I  hope  yet  in  some  fu- 
ture time,  the  Society  will  be  able  to  provide  better  for  the 
edification  of  the  people,  by  dividing  the  mission,  as  it  might 
conveniently  be  done,  into  two  equal  parts.  I  beg  leave  to  re- 
quest some  common  prayer  books,  which  are  much  wanted  for 
the  poor.  I  brought  but  two  dozen,  together  with  a  great  number 
of  small  tracts,  but  a  much  larger  number  of  prayer  books  is 
required,  as  many  people  in  my  mission  are  poor  and  unable  to 
purchase  books  or  any  thing  that  is  not  absolutely  necessary  to 
the  maintenance  of  their  families.  I  beg  leave  to  acquaint  the 
Society  likewise,  that  besides  the  attending  the  duties  of  my 
own  mission,  I  preached  last  spring,  on  the  next  Sunday  after 
Easter,  at  Woodbury,  a  town  in  Conn.,  thirty  miles  distant  from 
Salem,  to  a  congregation  of  upwards  of  150,  who  behaved  with 
the  greatest  decency  and  devotion,  most  of  them  being  profes- 
sors, and  many  of  them  worthy  members  of  our  Holy  Church. 
This  town,  though  included  in  Mr.  Clark's  mission,  enjoys  but  a 

36 


562  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

small  proportion  of  his  labors,  not  through  any  neglect  of  h:s; 
but  by  means  of  the  extensiveness  of  his  charge,  and  yet  it  is 
a  town  containing  six  parishes  of  Congregationalists,  and  part 
of  another,  in  all  which  there  are  some  professors  of  the  Church 
earnestly  desirous  if  possible  to  enjoy  the  public  worship  of  God 
according  to  their  Holy  profession.    And  in  compliance  with  their 
earnest  intreaties,  till  something  more  could  be  done  for  the  sup- 
ply of  their  spiritual  wants,  several  of  the  Connecticut  clergy 
agreed  to  preach  among  them  by  turns.     The  summer  past, 
the  first  Sunday  after  Trinity,  I  preached  at  Sharon,  a  town  in 
Conn,  adjoining  this  province,  about  fifty  miles  to  the  north- 
ward, where  they  have  a  neat  little  church  and  a  pretty  con- 
gregation.    The  next  day  I  preached  in  the  north  precinct  of 
the  Oblong  in  this  Province,   about  five   or   six  miles    from 
Sharon.     There   they  have  a  new  church  just  raised,  which 
they  intend  to  cover  in  the  summer,  and  finish-as  soon  as  might 
be.     There  is  a  large  body  of  people  whose  religious  circum- 
stances truly  deserve  compassion ;  and  here  undoubtly  would 
soon  be  a  fine  congregation  if  they  could  enjoy  the  benefit  of 
having  a  sober  minister   of  our  Church  settled  among  them,  by 
the  assistance  of  the  Society,  which  they  intend  earnestly  to 
request  as  soon  as  they  can  qualify  themselves  for  it,  by  finishing 
their  church  and  procuring  a  glebe.  I  beg  liberty  to  request  a  favor 
from  the  Society  which  may  perhaps  be  of  considerable  service 
to  me  ;  the  professors  of  the  Church  in  Conn,  are  taxed  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  minister  of  the  Church  in  the  same  proportion  as  the 
Congregationalists  for  the  support  of  their  minister.     This  tax 
is  levied  and  collected  by  the  Congregationalists,  together  with 
their  own,  and  by  them  paid  to  such  ministers  of  the  Church, 
as  are  appointed  over  them  by  the  Society.     Now,  Ridgefield 
and  Ridgebury  being  in  Conn.,  the  committee  appointed  for 
raising  and  paying  the  minister's  rate  at  Ridgebury  have  been 
in  some  doubt  whether  I  am  entitled  to  the  rates  of  the  Church 
people  there,  because  it  is  certain  they  were  formerly  under  Mr. 
Learning's  care,  and  had  no  written  appointment  or  anything 
from  under  the  Society's  hand  to  convince  them  that  the  Society 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  563 

had  now  included  them  within  this  mission.  Should  the  Ven 
Society  mention  Ridgefield  and  Ridgebuiy  in  an  abstract  as 
parts  of  my  mission,  together  with  Salem  ;  or  should  they  in  a 
letter  to  the  Churchwardens  and  Vestry  of  Ridgefield  and 
Ridgebury,  or  in  some  other  method,  give  assurance  that  Ridge- 
field and  Ridgebury  belong  to  my  mission,  it  must  be  of  advan- 
tage to  me,  as  it  would  remove  all  doubt  whether  I  was  by  the 
laws  of  that  Colony  entitled  to  the  Church  people's  rates  in 
those  places.'?a 

In  the  year  1771,  the  Rev.  Epenetus  Townsend  again  ad- 
dresses the  Society  as  follows  : — 

MR.  TOWNSEND  TO    THE   SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 

"  Salem,  Westchester  Co.,  March  25th,  1771. 
Rev.  Sir, 
This  is  a  large  County,  full  of  people  without  any  constant 
public  worship  in  any  method  ;  and  as  they  have  not  enjoyed 
the  benefit  of  any  regular  and  constant  administration  of  God's 
word  and  Sacraments,  since  the  first  settlement  of  the  country, 
vice  and  immorality  abound  among  them.     The  sabbath  is  by 
great  numbers  spent   in  riding,  visiting,  hunting,  fishing  and 
such  like  diversions,  and  by  some  it  is   profaned   by  practices 
still  worse.     There  are  some  Church  people,  Presbyterians,  Bap- 
tists and  Quakers  scattered   among  them,  and  great  numbers 
who  dont  belong  to  any  particular  denomination  of  Christians, 
It  has  been  proposed  by  some  of  them  to  build  a  church  or 
Presbyterian  meeting  house,  but  nothing  is  yet  concluded.     I 
believe  the  Church  people  would  exert  themselves  and  imme- 
diately build  a  small  church,  were  there  any  hopes  the  mission 
might  be  divided  so  as  they  might  be  included,  and  enjoy  some 
stated  portion  of  a  minister's  labors,  and  indeed   considering 


■  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulhaui,  vol.  ii.  490,  491,  492,  493.  (Hawks.) 


564  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

their  destitute  circumstances  and  the  prospect  of  advancing  the 
interest  of  the  Church  and  promoting  piety  among  them,  or  at 
least  of  stopping  the  growth  of  immorality,  considering  also 
the  increasing  fatigue  of  this  mission,  in  which  are  three  churches 
at  present,  and  a  fourth  building  ;  I  would  humbly  request,  with 
submission  to  the  Society,  that  such  a  division  might  be  made; 
and  if  Danbury  also  was  included,  which  is  in  great  need  of  a 
minister  of  the  Church,  it  might  conveniently  be  divided  into 
two  equal  parts,  each  containing  three  churches,  and  after  some 
time  as  the  people  grow  more  able,  another  mission  might  be 
added  to  great  advantage,  each  of  the  three  having  the  care  of 
two  churches."*  The  Society's  abstracts  for  1772  say  : — "  That 
Mr.  Townsend,  missionary  at  Salem,  states  his  congregations 
to  be  increasing.  Hath  baptized  sixty-two  infants  and  two 
adults."b  In  1775  they  say  "  that  Mr.  Townsend  is  constant 
in  the  performance  of  his  duty  in  his  own  parish  and  preaches 
frequently  in  the  parts  adjacent.  From  Lady  day  to  Michael- 
mas he  baptized  twenty-one  infants  and  one  adult,  and  admitted 
two  new  communicants."6  The  abstracts  for  1776  add: — 
"That  one  letter  from  Mr.  Townsend  of  September  29th,  1775, 
gives  the  same  account  of  his  mission,  in  which  he  hath  bap- 
tized thirty  infants,  buried  seven,  and  married  three  couple  in 
the  preceding  half  year."d 

The  last  communication  the  Society  received  from  Mr* 
Townsend  was  in  June,  1777,  soon  after  he  had  been  compelled 
to  leave  the  scene  of  his  labors  by  the  threatening  state  of  affairs. 

MR.  TOWNSEND  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  Salem,  province  of  New- York,  June,  A.  D.  1777. 
Rev.  Sir, 
From  the  first  existence  of  the  present  rebellion,  I  could  give 


•  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  549-50.  (Hawks.) 

b  Society's  abstract  from  21st  of  February,  1772  to  19th  of  February,  1773. 

•  Ditto         ditto     from  17th  Feb.  1775,  to  16th  Feb.  1776. 

•  Ditto         ditto     from  16th  Feb.  1776  to  21st  Feb.  1777. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  5G5 

the  Honorable  Society  no  account  of  my  conduct  with  respect 
to  public  affairs  because  my  distance  from  New  York  and  the 
excessive  vigilance  of  the  Rebel  committees  in  getting  and  ex- 
amining all  letters,  rendered  such  a  step  extremely  dangerous. 
But  being  now,  by  God's  good  providence,  banished  from  among 
the  Rebels  for  my  loyalty  to  his  Majesty,  I  think  it  my  duty  to 
give  the  Honorable  Society  a  short  account  of  my  conduct  from 
the  beginning  of  those  troubles,  and  of  the  treatment  I  have  met 
with  from  the  Rebels. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1773  and  the  beginning  of  1774, 
I  strongly  suspected  that  the  leaders  of  the  opposition  to  govern- 
ment in  America  were  aiming  at  Independence,  and  the  Eastern 
Provinces  at  the  subversion  of  the  Church  likewise,  and  that 
in  pursuit  of  those  ends,  they  would  if  possible,  influence  the 
people  to  a  revolt;  but  when  the  first  Congress  approved  the  re- 
bellious resolves  of  the  County  of  Suffolk  in  Massachusetts  Bay 
I  had  no  longer  any  doubt  of  their  intentions.  In  this  state  of 
things  therefore,  I  did  every  thing  that  lay  in  my  power,  by 
preaching,  reading  the  Homilies  against  Rebellion,  and  by  con- 
versation, to  give  my  Parish  and  others,  a  just  idea  of  the  sacred 
obligations  laid  upon  us  by  Christianity,  to  be  good  and  peace- 
ful subjects,  even  if  it  had  been  our  lot  to  have  lived  under 
wicked  and  oppressive  rulers,  and  much  more  so,  as  Providence 
hath  blessed  us  with  one  of  the  wisest  and  best  of  princes. 
This  I  chose  to  do  before  any  blood  was  shed,  wliUe  people's 
tempers  were  yet  cool,  lest  if  the  instruction  had  been  deferred 
till  some  blow  was  struck,  the  acts  of  misrepresentation  which  had 
been  used  from  the  beginning  might  influence  their  passions 
and  hurry  them  into  criminal  acts  before  reason  could  resume  its 
place  and  tend  to  the  obligations  of  religion.  And  blessed  be 
God,  I  have  this  satisfaction,  that  the  Church  people  in  all  raj 
parishes  have  almost  unanimously  (there  being  but  three  or  four 
exceptions)  maintained  their  loyalty  from  the  first,  for  which 
many  of  them  suffered  greately. 

In  May,  1776,  I  was  called  before  the  Rebel  Committee  of 
Cortlandt's  manor,  who  invited  me  to  join  their  association  upon 


566  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

which  I  told  them  freely  that  I  esteemed  their  resistance  of  h1* 
Majesty's  authority  to  be  repugnant  to  the  precepts  of  the 
Gospel,  and  therefore  could  not  give  it  my  countenance.  I  was 
soon  after  required  to  furnish  some  blankets  for  the  use  of  the 
Rebel  Soldiers,  which  not  consenting  to,  I  was  sent  under  guard 
to  the  Committee  and  at  the  same  time,  a  guard  was  set  at  my 
house,  who,  after  their  savage  manner,  were  very  lavish  of  their 
insults  to  Mrs.  T ownsend.  The  Committee  afier  having  in  vain 
endeavoured  to  persuade  me  to  furnish  the  blankets,  gave  orders 
to  search  my  house  and  get  them,  but  the  proper  steps  having 
been  taken  none  were  found.  The  next  time  the  Committee 
met,  they  ordered  me  to  pay  upwards  of  thirty  shillings  to  these 
guards,  which  I  refused,  and  was  again  put  under  guard  till  I 
did  pay  it.  I  was  soon  after  sent  to  the  County  Committee  of 
Westchester,  on  a  complaint  from  the  Committee  of  Cortlandt's 
manor,  that  I  entertained  principles  inconsistant  with  the'Ameri- 
can  cause.  The  County  Committee  referred  the  matter  to  the 
Provincial  Committee,  but  as  my  principles  were  only  com- 
plained of,  without  any  part  of  my  conduct  being  impeached  ; 
and  the  Declaration  of  Independence  being  then  just  at  hand, 
which  it  was  thought  would  bring  the  clergy  in  general  under 
persecution.  I  was  for  that  time  dismissed. 

I  continued  the  services  of  the  Church  within  my  mission  for 
three  Sundays  after  the  Declaration  of  Independence  by  the 
Congress,  and  should  have  proceeded  still  and  took  the  conse- 
quences, but  I  was  informed  that  all  the  clergy,  in  this,  and 
the  neighboring  Provinces,  had  discontinued  the  public  service 
till  it  might  be  performed  under  the  protection  of  his  Majesty, 
excepting  only  Mr.  Beach  of  Conn.,  who  hath  continued  his 
Church  till  very  lately.  Under  these  circumstances  I  considered 
that  my  dissenting  from  the  practise  of  my  brethren  would  not 
only  set  me  up  as  a  single  mark  of  vengeance,  and  as  every  appea- 
rance of  disunion  among  the  clergy  might  be  disadvantageous 
to  the  Church  hereafter  ;  viewing  the  matter  in  this  light,  I 
thought  it  best  to  comply  with  the  general  practise  of  the  clergy. 
•On  the  21st  of  October,  1  was  made  a  prisoner  and  sent  to  the 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  567 

Court  of  Fishkill  as  an  enemy  to  the  Independence  of  America, 
when  (except  that  sometimes  I  was  indulged  to  visit  my  family 
a  few  cays)  I  was  kept  on  parole  through  the  winter  at  my  own 
expense,  which  was  very  great.  The  shocking  insolence  and  in- 
humanity of  the  Rebels  toward  the  friends  of  Government  of  which 
I  was  a  daily  spectator,  rendered  the  place  of  my  imprisonment 
very  disagreeable,  and  the  cruel  treatment  which  my  family  re- 
ceived from  them  in  my  absence,  was  exceedingly  distressing. 
They  had  taken  me  from  a  wife  and  four  small  children,  the 
two  youngest  not  sixteen  months  old,  which  was  my  whole 
family,  and  during  my  confinement  they  forbade  people  coming 
to  my  house,  and  they  threatened  all   that  should  assist  the 
family  in  any  respect ;  by  this   means  they  suffered  much  for 
want  of  a  free  intercource  with  their  friends,  those  that  would 
gladly  have  assisted  them,  not  daring  to   do  it  unless  when  it 
might  be  done  privately.     In  this  situation  I  know  not  how  they 
could  have   long  subsisted  had  it  not  been   for  a  man  with  a 
small  family  who  had  removed  from  the  seat  of  war  at  the 
White  Plains,  and  had  as  yet  no   settled  habitation,  by  taking 
this  family  into  my  house  about  Christmas,  Mrs.  Townsend 
had  a  friend  of  Government,  though  under  some  disguise,  who 
living  under  the  same  roof  was  able  to  do  many  things  for  her 
benefit.     To  this,  as  well  as  many  other  instances  during  my 
imprisonment,  the  good  providence  of  God  always  found  some 
method  unforseen  by  us,  to  support  us  under  the  greatest  difficul- 
ties, and  after  he  had  thus  continued  us  under  the  Rebel  dis- 
cipline for  near  six  months,  he  then  granted  us  a  happy  delive- 
rance ;  for  on  the  31st  of  March,  in  consequence  of  my  refusing 
the  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  State  of  New  York,  I  received  an 
order  to  depart  within  eight  days  with  my  family,  apparel  and 
household  furniture,  to  some  place  in  possession  of  the  King's 
troops,  on  penalty  of  my  being  confined  in  close  jail  and  other- 
wise treated  as  an  open  enemy  of  the  State.     With  this  order 
I  readily  complied,  and  after   procuring  a  flag  from  a  Rebel 
general  to  transport  my  family  and  furniture  to  Long  Island,  I 
set  out.     The  Convention  taking  a  genteel  house   which  my 


568  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

father  had  enabled  me  to  build,  60  acres  of  land  which  he  had 
bought  for  me,  with  30  acres  of  wood  land,  a  horse  and  small 
stock  of  cattle  into  their  possession.  At  Norwalk,  where  I  had 
procured  a  boat  to  cross  the  Sound,  I  was  stopped  four  days, 
most  of  my  furniture  after  being  put  on  board  was  relanded, 
and  all  of  it  ransacked  under  pretence  of  searching  for  letters, 
prohibited  articles,  &c.,  whereby  many  things  were  much 
damaged,  and  others  stolen.  I  was  then  obliged  to  pay  the  ex- 
penses of  these  abuses  in  detaining,  searching,  &c,  which 
amounted  to  nine  pound  currency,  and  then  was  permitted  to 
proceed.  On  the  11th  of  April  we  landed  on  Long  Island, 
with  hearts  full  of  gratitude  to  God  for  having  at  length  deliver- 
ed us  from  the  malice  and  cruelty  of  the  Rebels. 

I  am,  Rev.  Sir,  &c, 

EPENETUS     T0WNSEND."a 

In  1779,  Mr.  Townsend  was  appointed  chaplain  to  one  of 
the  loyal  battalions  then  stationed  at  New  York.  Here  he  re- 
mained until  it  was  ordered  to  Nova  Scotia,  when  himself  and 
family  embarked  on  board  a  vessel  bound  for  that  Province. 
This  ship  foundered  in  Boston  bay  and  every  soul  on  board 
perished.  Thus  terminated  the  short  and  sad  career  of  the  first 
rector  of  this  parish,  whose  "only  crime  was,  that  he  was  a 
clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  of  course  attached 
to  the  government  and  the  constitution  of  Church  and  State." 
The  names  of  Townsend,  Avery  and  Babcock,  belong  to  the 
catalogue  of  worthies,  who  once  faithful  soldiers  of  Christ 
Church  Militant,  are  now  singing  praises  to  Him  who  redeemed 
them  with  His  blood,  in  the  Church  Triumphant  above. 

The  last  account  the  Venerable  Society  received  of  their  faith- 
ful missionary  was  the  following  : — 

•  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  621,622.  623,  624.  (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  £69 

MR.  INGLIS  TO   THE   SECRETARY. 

"New  York;  Nov.  26th,  1779. 
Rev.  Sir. 
Mr.  Townsend,  the  Society's  missionary  for  Salem  in  this  Pro- 
vince, after  being  driven  within  the  King's  lines  by  the  Rebels 
was  appointed  chaplain  to  one  of  the  new  raised  loyal  battal- 
ions. His  battalion  was  ordered  for  Halifax,  and  he  embarked 
here,  with  his  wife  and  five  children  to  join  it.  A  violent  storm 
rose,  soon  after  the  fleet  in  which  he  sailed  left  Sandy  Hook,  the 
fleet  was  dispersed,  several  of  the  ships  perished,  and  poor 
Townsend  has  not  since  been  heard  of.  I  greately  fear  the  ves- 
sel in  which  he  went  has  shared  the  same  fate."a 

"  Sleep  on — sleep  on — the  glittering  depths 

Of  Ocean's  coral  caves  : — 

Are  thy  bright  urn — thy  requiem 

The  musi^  of  its  waves  :  — 

The  purple  gems  for  ever  burn 

In  fadeless  beauty  rouud  thy  urn  ; 

Aud  pure  aud  deep  as  infant  love, 

The  blue  sea  rolls  its  waves  above." 

G.  D.  Prentice. 

The  names  of  the  children,  with  the  dates  of  their  birth,  as 
recorded  by  Mr.  Townsend  himself,  are  as  follows  : — "Epene- 
tus,  born  31st  of  October,  1770  ;  Lucy,  born  3d  of  November, 
1772  ;  Micajah  and  John,  twins,  born  28th  of  June,  1775."  Mr. 
Townsend,  when  he  removed  to  Salem  left  a  younger  brother, 
Jotham,  who  continued  at  Oyster  bay,  and  died  in  1815.  He 
left  a  son,  Col.  Micajah  Townsend,  now  living  at  Cedar  Swamp, 
L.  I.  Micah,  an&ther  brother,  is  the  father  of  the  Rev.  Micajah 
Townsend  of  Clarenceville,  Canada  East. 

Previous  to  his  embarkation,  Mr.  Townsend  had  deposited 
in  the  hands  of  the  Rev.  Benj.  Moore,  (afterwards  Bishop  Moore) 

•  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  636.    (Hawks.) 


570 I  HISTOEY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  library,  silver  chalice  and  velvet  cushion,  belonging  to  St. 
James'  church,  desiring  him  to  keep  them  until  called  for.  The 
latter  in  1785  informed  Mr.  John  Wallace  and  Ebenezer 
Lobdell,  churchwardens  of  this  parish,  "  that  the  above  men- 
tioned articles  were  left  with  him  for  safe  keeping,  and 
that  St.  James'  church  might  have  them  by  sending  an  order 
for  that  purpose."  The  Rev.  David  Perry  was  accordingly  de- 
puted to  receive  them  in  the  name  of  the  vestry. 

The  Rev.  Micajah  Townsend,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  the 
author,  says : — "  A  few  ancient  theological  books  had  strayed 
from  the  library  of  my  uncle  Epenetus  to  that  of  my  father, 
and  are  now  in  my  possession." 

Soon  after  the  Revolutionary  war,  the 

REV.  DAVID  PERRY,  A.  M.  M.  D. 

officiated  here  and  in  the  neighboring  parishes.  This  indi- 
vidual, who  was  born  in  Conn,  about  1750,  graduated  M.  A.  at 
Yale  College  in  1772,  studied  medicine,  and  settled  at  Ridge- 
field  as  a  physician.  He  was  ordained  Deacon  by  Bishop  Sea- 
bury,  June  6th,  1790,  Priest  16th  of  October,  1791,  and  took 
charge  of  the  parishes  of  Salem,  Reading,  Ridgefield  and  Dan- 
bury.  Neglecting  to  attend  the  Convocations  of  the  clergy  and 
the  Conventions  of  the  Diocese  of  Connecticut,  (probably  be- 
cause of  his  practise  as  a  physician,)  he  fell  under  censure : 
finally  resigned  his  letter  of  orders,  and  relinquished  the  cler- 
ical profession  June  3d,  1795.  He  continued  the  practise  of 
medicine  and  died  in  lS17."a 

The  parish  appears  to  have  been  favored  with  occasional  servi- 
ces only,  until  1804,  when  the  Churches  of  Bedford,  North  Salem 
and  Stephentown,  united  for  the  purpose  of  settling  a  minister, 
"  who  should  perform  Divine  service  in  the  different  towns  of 
Bedford,  New  Castle,  North  Salem  and  Stephentown  so  often  as 


*  Hist.  Not.  of  Clergy  ordained  by  Bps.  Seabury  and  Jarvis,  appended  to  the  Con- 
vocation Journal  of  Convention  No.  38. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM!.  571 

should  be  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  their  several  subscrip- 
tions." 

Upon  the  4th  of  September,  1S04.  the 

REV.  GEORGE  STREBECK 

was  called  to  and  accepted  the  rectorship  of  the  united  parishes, 
which  he  resigned  in  March,  1S05. 

"  in  1S07,  the  Rev,  Dr.  Moore  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Wilkins 
and  Rogers  were  directed  by  the  Diocesan  Convention  to  sup- 
ply North  Salem,  and  the  other  congregations  in  Westchester 
County,  on  some  days  in  the  same  week  of  their  appointments  at 
Bedford."  For  nearly  four  years  the  parish  appears  to  have 
been  vacant,  but  in  the  spring  of  1810,  the  - 

REV.  NATHAN  FELCH 

was  called  as  minister.  The  same  year  he  makes  report  to 
the  Convention. — "  that  the  Episcopal  congregation  in  North  Sa- 
lem is  exceedingly  prosperous,  many  have  been  added  to  them 
in  a  few  months  past,  and  they  are  now  erecting  a  church."  Mr. 
Felch  was  succeeded  in  June,  1816,  by  the 

REV.  GEORGE  WELLER,  A.  M. 

In  the  fall  of  that  year  Mr.  Weller  reported  to  the  Convention, 
::  that  the  church  at  North  Salem  is  now  well  attended  and  the 
people  much  encouraged.  Number  of  communicants  10."  For 
Mr.  Weller's  successors  see  list  of  ministers  and  rectors. 

THE  CHURCH. 

St.  James'  church  occupies  an  elevated  situation  directly  op- 
posite the  junction  of  the  cross  roads  at  Salem  Centre,  and  presents 
quite  a  picturesque  object  when  viewed  from  the  valley  of  the 
Mutighticoos.  It  is  constructed  of  wood,  and  consists  of  a  nave, 
vestry  room,  and  a  bell  tower  over  the  southern  gable. 

In  the  year  1797,  the  old  church  edifice  (which  stood  east  of 
the  present  structure,  upon  the  property  of  Epenctus  Wallace, 


572  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

M.  D.)  was  found  to  be  in  a  ruinous  condition  ;  whereupon  it 
was  dismantled,  and  sold  at  public  auction,  May  25th,  1797. 
Upon  the  decease  of  John  Wallace  and  Ebenezer  Lobdell,  first 
wardens  of  the  parish,  their  successors,  Benjamin  Close  and 
Gershom  Hanford,  together  with  the  vestry,  resolved  on  the 
erection  of  the  present  building.  The  corner  stone  of  which 
was  laid  on  the  30th  of  August,  1810,  by  the  Rev.  Nathan 
Felch,  who  delivered  a  well  adapted  discourse  upon  the  occasion. 
The  principal  benefactors  were  Epenetus  Wallace,  M.  1).  and 
Joseph  Purdy,  Esq.,  with  others.  Trinity  Church,  New  York, 
also  liberally  contributed  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  in  1813. 

The  parochial  church  of  St.  James  was  consecrated  to  the 
service  of  Almighty  God  in  1816,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  John  H. 
Hobart,  D.  D.,  and  was  first  "incorporated  on  the  3d  of  June, 
178G,  under  the  name  and  title  of  the  "  Episcopal  Reformed 
Protestant  Church  at  Upper  Salem  ;"  Ebenezer  Lobdell,  Daniel 
Smith  and  Joseph  Purdy,  trustees.  A  third  incorporation 
occurs  on  the  30th.  of  June,  1797,  James  Bailey  and  Ben- 
jamin Close,  churchwardens ;  Epenetus  Wallace,  John  Lob- 
dell, Gershom  Hanford,  Joshua  Purdy,  Gilbert  Bailey,  Daniel 
Sherwood,  Jacob  Lobdell  and  Joseph  Knox,  vestrymen.  The 
first  delegate  from  this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  was 
Joseph  Purdy,  Esq. 

Mr.  Stebbins  Baxter,  a  resident  of  this  town,  who  died  on  the 
28th  of  February,  1820,  bequeathed  his  entire  property  to  St. 
James'  parish,  amounting  (according  to  an  inventory  of  his  es- 
tate) to  $3000,  which,  after  deducting  general  expenses,  &c. 
left  a  balance  of  $2000.  The  parish  however,  owing  to  the 
failure  of  his  executors,  only  obtained  the  sum  of  $1100.  In 
1837,  the  present  vestry  room  was  added  to  the  church  at  a 
cost  of  $100.  In  1842,  the  wardens  and  vestry  erected  the  par- 
sonage house  and  barn,  &c.,  the  expenses  being  defrayed  by 
public  subscription,  amounting  to  $1100.  It  deserves  to  be 
mentioned  that  the  former  parsonage  was  erected  by  the  ves- 
try, about  1767,  upon  the  Church  glebe,  which  was  pur- 
chased in  1766.     From  a  petition  to  the  Court  of  Chancery  in 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  573 

1842,  it  appears  that  all  the  real  estate  then  held  or  owned  by 
the  Rector,  Wardens  and  Vestry,  except  the  church  edifice  and 
a  small  lot  of  land  on  which  it  stood,  consisted  of  about  six 
acres  of  land  situated  in  the  town  of  North  Salem,  and  bounded 
as  follows,  viz  : — "  On  the  west  by  land  of  Charles  Cable  and 
land  of  Epenetus  Howe,  and  on  the  north  by  the  land  of  Benja- 
min B.  Gray,  on  the  east  by  land  of  the  above  named  Epenetus 
Howe,  and  on  the  south  by  the  highway  leading  from  Ridge- 
field  to  Somers."a 

In  1767-8  the  church  was  furnished  by  the  Venerable  Society 
for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  with  a  parochial  library,  and 
a  quarto  Bible  and  Prayer  Book.  The  two  last  are  still  preserved 
in  the  parish.  The  Bible  is  handsomely  bound  in  parchment, 
and  was  printed  by  Mark  Baskett,  printer  to  the  University  of 
Oxford,  A.  D.  1765.  The  Book  of  Common  Prayer  was  printed 
at  Cambridge,  by  Joseph  Bentham  in  1764.  About  the  same 
time,  Susannah  de  Lancey  presented  a  silver  chalice,  which  was 
subsequently  sold  by  order  of  the  vestry.  This  lady  was  the 
youngest  daughter  of  the  Hon.  James  de  Lancey,  Lieutenant 
Governor  of  the  Province  in  1747,  and  Anne  Heathcote.  She 
died  unmarried  in  1815,  and  was  buried  at  Mamaroneck. 

A  new  organ  was  presented  by  the  ladies  of  the  congregation 
in  December,  1851. 

Upon  an  elevated  piece  of  ground,  on  the  west  side  of  the 
church,  is  a  large  enclosure  in  which  numerous  interments  have 
taken  place.  Here  repose  the  mortal  remains  of  the  celebrated 
Sarah  Bishop,  the  hermitess. 


•  Extract  from  a  petition  to  mortgage   said  property  hi  fee,  to  secure  the  sum  of 
$350. 


574  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 


A.  D.  1766, 

Communicants  30 

Baptisms  15 

"      1772 

« 

— 

64 

«      1775 

K 

32 

"        22 

«      1816 

et 

10 

a           

"      1814 

(t 

18 

9 

"      1853 

a 

27 

«          5 

In  1712,  the  population  of  Cortlandt's  patent  was  121. 
"  1782,  the  white  population  of  the  east  ward  of  Cortlandt 
was  1567. 
In  1782,  the  white  population  of  Sj#em,  was       912. 
1840,  the  population  of  North  Salem,       "     1161. 
"  1S50,  "  "  "  "     1335. 

No.  of  families  belonging  to  this  parish  in   1853,  14.    No.  of 
souls,  69. 

MINISTERS  AND  RECTORS. 

INST.  OR  CALL.  INCUMBENTS.  VACA'd  BY 

A.  D.  1750,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dibble,  D.  D.,  Clericus,  resig. 
A.  D.  1764,  Rev.  Richard  S.  Clark,  A.  M.,  Clericus,     « 
29th  May,  1768,  Rev.  Epenetus  Townsend,  A.  M.,  CI.  death. 

1790,  Rev.  David  Perry,  M.  D.,  Presb.  per  resig. 
4th  Sept.,  1804,  Rev.  George  Strebeck,  Presb.  " 

18 L0,  Rev.  Nathan  Felch,  Deacon.  " 

16th  June,  1816,  Rev.  George  Weller,  A.  M.,  Deacon,   '•'■ 

1820,  Rev.  Samuel  Nichols,  Presb.  (: 

1829,  Rev.  Hiram  Jelliff,  Presb.  " 

1835,  Rev.  Alexander  Fraser,  Presb. 
23d  July,   1836,  Rev.  Benjamin  Evans,  Presb.  " 

1841,  Rev.  David  Short,  Presb.  " 

1842,  Rev.  Albert  P.  Smith,  Presb.  " 
1847,  Rev.  Nathan  W.  Munroe,  Presb.       " 

June,  1848,  Rev.  Orsamus  H.  Smith,  Presb.        " 
24th  May,  1851,  Rev.  John  Wells   Moore,  A.  M.,  Presb.  present 
incumbent. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  SALEM.  575 

WARDENS  OF  ST.  JAMES'  CHURCH. 

1765  to  1785. 

John  Wallace,  Ebenezer  Lobdell. 

1797  to  1801. 

James  Bailey,  Benjamin  Close. 

1802  to  1809. 

Benjamin  Close,  Joshua  Purdy. 

1810  to  1811. 

Benjamin  Close.  Richard  Sherwood. 

1812  to  1814. 

Gershom  Haiuprd.  Epenetus  Wallace. 

1815  to  1822. 

Epenetus  Wallace,  Joshua  Purdy. 

1823  to  1834. 

Joshua  Purdy,  Richard  Sherwood. 

1835  to  1840. 

Joshua  Purdy,  Samuel  Field. 

1841  to  1S53. 

Samuel  Field,  John  Hanford. 


St.  James1  Clinrch,  erected  A.  D.  1810. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OP 


CORTLANDT. 


This  parish  formerly  belonged  to  the  great  manor  of  Cortlandt; 
which  also  comprehended  the  present  parishes  of  North  and 
South  Salem,  Somers  and  Yorktown.  The  name  itself  is  de- 
rived from  the  ancient  family  of  the  Van  Cortlandts,  the  Mesne 
Lords  and  first  Grantees  under  the  Indian  Sachems  of  Sachus 
and  Kitchawong. 

In  1697  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  being  possessed  of  these 
lands,  the  whole  consisting  of  eighty  three  thousand  acres,  was 
by  Royal  Charter  erected  into  the  Lordship  and  Manor  of 
Cortlandt,  and  was  held  by  the  feudal  tenure  of  paying  there- 
for yearly  to  the  crown,  upon  the  feast  day  of  the  annuncia- 
tion of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  the  rent  of  forty  shillings. 
Under  this  charter  the  Van  Cortlandts  were  possessed  of  the 
impropriation  and  the  patronage  of  all  and  every  the  church 
and  churches  erected  or  to  be  erected  in  the  manor. 

In  the  year  1700,  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt  devised  the  whole 
manor  of  Cortlandt  to  his  children,  who  in  1734  made  a  par- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  577 

tion  of  it  among  themselves.  Philip,  his  eldest  surviving  son, 
was  the  father  of  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  first  Lieutenant  Gover- 
nor of  this  State,  and  grandfather  of  the  late  General  Pierre 
Van  Cortlandt,  for  many  years  senior  warden  of  this  parish,  and 
one  of  its  most  liberal  benefactors.  The  following  notice  of  the 
death  of  the  latter,  appeared  in  the  Westchester  Herald  for  June, 
1848: — "Died  at  his  residence,  near  Peekskill,  on  Tuesday,  the 
13th  instant,  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  in  the  86th  year  of  his 
age." 

Such  is  the  announcement  of  the  death  of  one  of  the  oldest  and 
most  prominent  citizens  of  our  county.  Gen.  Van  Cortlandt 
was  born  at  Croton  River,  on  the  29th  of  August,  1762.  He 
was  the  son  of  the  late  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  formerly  Lieu- 
tenant Governor  of  this  State,  and  Joanna  Livingston.  At  an 
early  age  he  entered  Queen's  College,  New  Jersey,  and  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  the  oldest  living  graduate.  His  Alma 
Mater  had  conferred  upon  him  the  degree  of  L.L.  D. 

He  was  one  of  the  Jefferson  Electors,  and  was  the  last  survi- 
ving one  from  this  State.  He  represented  this  District  for  two 
years  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  and  was  subsequently 
One  of  the  Electoral  College,  that  voted  for  Gen.  Harrison.  At 
the  time  of  his  decease,  he  was  President  of  the  Westchester 
County  Bank.  An  elder  sister,  Mrs.  Beekman,  died  March  14th, 
1847 — and  the  only  survivor  of  the  family  is  the  aged  widow 
of  the  late  Philip  S.  Van  Rensselaer,  Esq.  of  Albany. 

Gen.  Van  Cortlandt  held  a  high  place  in  the  esteem  of  all 
who  knew  him.  He  was  interred  in  the  family  burying  ground, 
at  Croton  Manor,  on  Thursday,  and  a  large  concourse  followed 
him  to  his  tomb.  His  memory  will  long  live  in  the  hearts  of  all 
who  knew  him. 

The  earliest  records  relating  to  the  history  of  this  parish,  now- 
accessible,  are  principally  to  be  found  in  the  MSS.  of  the  Ven. 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel.  From  these  docu- 
ments it  appears,  that  as  early  as  1744,  the  Rev.  James  Wet- 
more  of  Rye  performed  divine  service  at  Peekskill.  Writing  to 
the  Society  on  the  3d  of  April,  1746,  he  says : — "  That  as  there 

37 


578  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

are  great  numbers  of  people  in  the  wilderness  northward  of 
Bedford  and  "Westchester,  who  have  very  little  knowlege  or 
sense  of  religion,  Mr.  Lamson's  labors  will  be  employed  to  good 
purpose  among  them."  In  1761  Mr.  Dibble  officiated  here, 
where  he  informs  us,  "  he  found  no  settled  teacher  of  any  de- 
nomi nation,  but  met  several  heads  of  families,  professors  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  many  others  well  disposed  towards 
it."  Mr.  Talbot,  who  accompanied  Mr.  Dibble  on  this  occasion, 
writing  to  the  Society  says : — "  The  state  of  religion  I  truly 
found  deplorable  enough,  they  were  as  sheep  without  a  shep- 
herd, a  prey  to  various  sectaries,  and  enthusiastic  lay  teachers  ; 
there  are  many  well  wishers  and  professors  of  the  Church 
among  them,  who  doth  not  hear  the  Liturgy  in  several  years." 
It  appears  from  the  following  Indenture  that  as  early  as  1750, 
the  inhabitants  of  Peekskill  had  provided  six  acres  of  land  to 
promote  the  erection  of  a  church  edifice.  The  conveyance 
beavs  date  23d  of  March,  1750,  and  is  as  follows : — 

DEED  FOR  CHURCH  LOT. 

(extract.) 

K  Andrew  Johnson  of  Perth  Amboy,  East  Jersey,  party  of  the  first  part,  for  the 
value  of  five  pounds,  conveys  to  Caleb  Hall,  Joseph  Travis  aud  Palatiah  Haws,  par. 
ties  of  the  second  part,  a  parcel  of  land  lying  at  a  place  called  Peekskill,  being  a 
part  of  lot  No.  8,  beginning  at  the  north  east  corner  of  the  second  parcel  of  laud 
lately  purchased  of  Joseph  Taylor,  by  the  north  side  of  Crumpond  road,  containing 
six  acres,  &c,  to  have  and  to  hold  in  trust  for  a  school  and  burying  place,  and  also 
for' their  executors  and  successors  in  trust,  to  the  only  proper  use,  benefit  and  behoof 
and  exercise  of  the  public  worship  of  God ;  and  that  it  be  for  that  purpose  in  the 
erecting  and  building  of  a  meeting  house  or  houses  for  the  religious,  (under  the  pro- 
tection of  our  most  gracious  Majesty.)  either  the  Church  of  England,  Presbyterian, 
Independents,  Baptists  or  Congregational,  &e.  to  erect  and  build  a  house  for  the  re- 
Jigious  exercise  of  the  public  worship  of  God,  with  a  convenient  yard  thereto,  for 
each  or  either  of  the  above  written  denominations,  to  them  the  said  Caleb  Hall,  &c. 
their  heirs  and  successors,  in  trust  for  the  neigbourhood  and  inhabitants  round  aboot 
from  generation  to  generation  for  ever,  and  for  no  other  use,  purpose  or  intent 
■whatsoever."* 


'  County  R*c.  Lib.  H.  339, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  579 

Yet  no  building  appears  to  have  been  begun  until  1766,  when 
Beverly  Robinson,  Jeremiah  Drake,  Caleb  Ward,  Isaac  Hatfield 
and  Charles  Moore  were  appointed  trustees  (by  certain  subscri- 
bers, both  in  Cortlandt's  manor  and  the  lower  end  of  Philipse's 
upper  patent,  towards  the  erecting  of  a  church,)  for  directing 
and  carrying  on  a  building,  and  for  securing  it  to  the  inhabi- 
tants as  a  place  of  public  worship,  according  to  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Church  of  England.  This  edifice,  which  was 
subsequently  dedicated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  by  the 
Rev.  John  Ogilvie,  D.  D.  on  the  9th  of  August,  1767,  is  the 
present  parish  church  of  St.  Peter's,  which  stands  upon  the 
summit  of  a  high  knoll  directly  east  of  the  late  General  Pierr ; 
Van  Cortlandt's  residence. 

Upon  the  18th  of  August,  1770,  the  members  of  St.  Peter's 
Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  the  lower  part  of  Phil- 
ipse's patent,  received  (in  answer  to  their  petition  presented  on 
the  21st  of  March,)  the  following  charter  from  Governor  Colden, 
erecting  them  into  one  body  corporate  and  politic,  and  confirm- 
ing them  in  possession  of  the  above  mentioned  church,  "  the 
ground  whereon  the  same  was  built,  and  the  cemetery  belong- 
ing to  the  same." 

ROYAL  CHARTER  OF  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH. 

'«  George  the  Third,  by  the  grace  of  God,  of  Great  Britain,  France  and  Ireland, 
King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  &c,  to  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come,  greeting: 
Whereas,  our  loving  subjects,  Beverly  Robinson,  Charles  Moore,  Jeremiah  Drake) 
Caleb  Ward,  John  Johnson,  Joshua  Nelson,  Thomas  Davenport  and  Henry  Purdy, 
on  behalf  of  themselves  and  sundry  inhabitants  on  the  upper  part  of  the  manor  of 
Cortlandt,  and  tha  lower  part  of  Philipse's  patent,  in  communion  of  the  Church  of 
England  as  by  law  established,  by  their  humble  petition,  presented  on  the  21st  day 
of  March  now  last  past,  to  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Cadwallader  Coldeii,  Esq., 
our  Lieutenant  Governor  and  Commander-in-chief  of  our  Province  of  New  York 
and  the  territories  depending  thereou  in  America,  in  Council,  did  set  forth  that  the 
petitioners  have  at  a  great  expense  and  trouble  erected  a  convenient  house  for  a  place 
of  divine  worship  near  Peekskill,  to  be  according  to  the  Church  of  England  as  by 
law  established,  and  being  very  desirous  of  promoting  the  same,  and  settling  a 
minister  among  them,  did  humbly  conceive  that  if  our  said  Lieutenant  Governor  and 
Commander-in-chief  would  be  pleased  to  take  the  matter  into  consideration,  and  to 
grant  them  a  charter  with  such  priviliges,  immunities  and  conditions   as  our  said 


580  HISTORY  OF  TEE  PARISH 

Lieutenant  Governor  and  Commander-in-chief  should  see   fit,   and  that    the  said 
Beverly  Robinson  and   Charles  Moore  may  be  appointed  churchwardens,  and  the 
said  Jeremiah  Drake,  Caleb  Ward,  John  Johnson,  Joshua  Nelson,  Thomas  Daven- 
port and  Henry  Purdy,  vestrymen,  in  the  charter,   by  the   name  of  the  churchwar- 
dens and  vestrymen  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in   the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peek- 
skill-     Now,  we  being  willing  to  encourage  the  pious  intentions  of  our  said  loving  sub- 
jects, and  to  grant  this  their  reasonable  request,  know  ye,  that  of  our  especial  grace, 
certain  knowledge  and  mere  motion,  we  have  ordained,  given,  granted  and  declared, 
and  by  these  presents  for  us.  our  heirs  and  successors,  do  ordain,  give,  grant  and  de- 
clare, that  the  said  petitioners  and  such  other  person  and  persons,  and  their  successors 
for  ever,  as  now  are  or  shall  hereafter  from  time  to  time  be,  as  well  of  the  Church 
of  England  as  by  law  established,  as  members  of 'the  congregation  of  the  said  church 
in  the  herein  above  recited  petition,  called  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cort. 
landt,  near  Peekskill,  and  also  contributors  to  the  support  and  maintenance  of  a 
minister  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  to  officiate  in  the  said 
church  for  the  time  being,  shall,  with  the  rector  of  the  said*  Church  of  St.   Peter's 
for  the  time  being,  forever  herafter  be  one  body  corporate  and  politic,  in  deed,  fact  and 
name,  by  the  name,  style  and  title  of  the  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's  Church 
in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill.    And  them  and  their  successors  by  the 
same  name,  we  do  by  these   presents,  for  us,    our  heirs  and  successors,  really  and 
fully  make,  erect,  create  and  constitute  one  body  politic  and  corporate  in  deed,  fact 
and  name  for  ever,  and  will  give,  grant  and  ordain  that  they  and  their  successors, 
the  rector  and  members  of  St.    Peter's   Church,   in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near 
Peekskill,  by  the  same  name  shall  and  may  have  perpetual  succession,  and  shall  and 
may  be  capable  in  law  to  sue  and  be  sued,  impleade  and  be  impleaded,  answer  and  be 
answered  unto,  defend  and  be  defended  in  all  courts  and  elsewhere  in  all  manner  Of 
actions,  suits,  complaints,  pleas,  causes,   matters  and  demands  whatsoever,  as  fully 
and  amply  as  any  our  liege  subjects  of  our  said  province  of  New  York  may   or  can 
sue  or  be  sued,  impleade  or  be  impleaded,  defend  or  be  defended,  by  any  lawful  ways  or 
means  whatsoever ;  and  that  they  and  their  successors  by  the  same  name  shall  be 
forever  hereafter  capable  and  able  in  the  law  to  purchase,  take,  hold,  receive  and 
enjoy  any  messuages,  tenements,  houses  and  real  estate  whatsoever  in  fee  simple, 
for  term  of  life  or  lives,  or  in  any  other  manner  howsoever  for  the  use  of  the  said 
church  ;  and  also  any  goods,  chattels,  or  personal  estate  whatsoever,  provided  always 
that  the  clear  yearly  value  of  the  said  real  estate  (exclusive  of  the  said  church  and 
*-he  ground  whereon  the  same  is  built,  and  the  cemetery  belonging  to  the  same)  doth 
not  at  any  time  exceed  the  sum  of  one  thousand  pounds  current  money  of  our  said 
Proviuce ;    and  that     they   and  their  successors,  by  the  same  name,  shall  have  full 
power  ana  authority  to  give,  grant,  sell,  lease  and  dispose  of  the  same  real  estate  for 
life  or  lives,  or  years,  or  for  ever,  under  certain  yearly  rents,  and  all  goods,  chattels 
and  personal  estate  whatsoever  at  their  will  and  pleasure.    And  that  it  shall  and  may 
be  lawful  for  them  and  their  successors  to  have  and  use  a  common  seal.    And  our 
will  and  pleasure  further  is,  ind  we  do  hereby  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  ordain 


AND  CHTJRCE  OF  CORTLANDT.  581 

and  appoint  that  there  shall  be  forever  hereafter  belonging  to  the  said  church,  one 
rector  of  the  Church  of  England  as  by  law  established,  duly  qualified  for  the  cure  of 
souls,  two  churchwardens  and  six  vestrymen,  who  shall  conduct  and  manage  the  affairs 
and  business  of  the  said  church  and  corporation  in  manner  as  hereafter  is  declared 
and  appointed;    and  for  the  more  immediate  carrying  into  execution  our  royal  will 
and  pleasure  herein,  we  do  hereby  assign,  constitute  and  appoint    Beverly  Robinson 
and   Charles  Moore    to  be  the  present    churchwardens,  and  Jeremiah  Drake,  Caleb 
Ward,  John  Johnson,  Joshua  Nelson,  Thomas   Davenport  and    Henry  Purdy  to  be 
the  present  vestrymen  of  the  said  church,  who  shall  hold,  possess  and  enjoy  their 
said  respective  offices  until  Tuesday  in  Easter  week  now  next  ensuing ;    and  for  the 
keeping  up  the  succession  in  the  said  offices,  our  royal  will  and  pleasure  is.  and  we 
do  hereby  establish,  direct  and  require,  that  on  the  said  Tuesday  iu  Easter  week,  now 
next  ensuing,   and  yearly  and  every  year  thereafter  for  ever,  on  Tuesday,  in  Easter 
week,  in  every  year,  the  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor 
of  Cortlandt,    near   Peekskill,    shall   meet    at  the   said    church,  and  there   by  the 
majority  of  voices   of  such  of  them  as   shall  so  meet,    elect    and   choose   two   of 
their  members  to  be  churchwardens,  and  six  others  of  their  members  to  be  vestrymen 
of    the  said  church  for  the  ensuing  year,  which  said  churchwardens  and  vestry- 
men so  elected   and   chosen   shall   immediately  enter  upon   their  respective  offices 
and  hold,  exercise  and  enjoy  the  same  respectively  from  the  time  of  such  elections, 
for  and  during  the  space  of  one  year,  and   until  other  fit  persons   shall  be   elected 
and  chosen  in  their  respective  places  ;    and  in  case  the  chuichwardens  or  vestry, 
men,   or  oither   of  them,  by   these    presents   named   and   appointed,  or  who  shall 
be  hereafter  elected  and  chosen  by  virtue  of  these  presents,  shall  die  before  the  time 
of  their  respective  appointed  services  shall  be  expired,  or  refuse  or  neglect  to  act  in 
the  office  for  which  he  or  they  is  or  are  herein  nominated  and   appointed,    or  where- 
nnto  he  or  they  shall  or  may  be  so  elected  and  chosen,  then  our  royal  will  and  pleas- 
ure is,  and  we  do  hereby  direct,  ordain  and  require  the  rector  and  members  of 
St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill,  for  the  time  being 
do  meet  at  the  said  church,  and  choose  other  or  others  of  their  members,  in  the 
place  and  stead  of  him  or  them  so  dying,  or  neglecting  or  relusing  to  act  within 
thirty  days  next  after  such  contingency.    And  in  this  case  lor   the  more  due  and 
orderly  conducting  the  said  elections,  and  to  prevent  any  undue  proceedings  therein, 
we  do  hereby  give   full  power  and    authority  to    ordain  and   require  that  the 
rector  and  the  said  churchwardens  of  the  said  church,  for  the  time  being,  or  any 
two  of  them,  shall  appoint  the  time   for  such  election   and  elections,  and  tha 
the  rector  of  the  said  church,  or  in  his   absence,  one  of  the  said  churchwardens 
for  the  time  being,  shall  give  public  notice  thereof  by    publishing  the  same  at 
the  said  church  immediately  after  divine  service,  on  the  Sunday  next  preceeding 
the  day  appointed  for  such  elections  ;  hereby  giving  and  granting  that  such  person 
or  persons  as  shall  be  so  chosen  from  time  to  time  by  the  rector  and  members  of 
St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill,   or  the  majority 
of  such  of  them  as  shall  in  such  case  meet  in  manner  hereby  directed,  shall  havei 
Hold,  exercise  and  enjoy  such,  the  office  or  offices  to  which  he   or  they  shall  be 
elected  and  chosen,  from  the  time  of  such  elections  until    the  Tuesday  in  Easter 
week  thereon  next  ensuing,  and  until  other  or  others  be  lawfully  chosen  in  his  or 


582  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

their  place,  and  stead,  as  fully  and  amply  as  the  person  or  persons  in  whose  place 
he  or  they  shall  be  chosen,  might  or  could  have  done  by  virtue  of  these  presents- 
And  we  do  hereby  will  and  direct  that  this  method  shall  forever  hereafter  be 
used  for  the  filling  up  all  vacancies  that  shall  happen  in  either  the  said  offices 
between  the  anual  elections  above  directed.  And  our  royal  will  and  pleasure 
further  is,  and  we  do  hereby,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant, 
that  as  well  the  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  to  these  presents  nominated  and 
appointed  as  such,  as  shall  from  time  to  time  be  hereafter  elected  and  chosen 
as  is  herein  directed,  shall  have  and  they  are  hereby  invested  with  full  power 
and  authority  to  execute  their  several  and  respective  offices  in  as  full  and  ample 
manner  as  any  churchwardens  or  vestrymen  in  that  part  of  our  kingdom  of 
Great  Britain  called  England,  or  in  this  our  province  of  New  York  can  or  law. 
fully  may  execute  their  said  respective  offices.  And  further,  our  royal  wil] 
and  pleasure  is,  and  we  do,  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors, 
give,  grant,  ordain  and  appoint,  that  the  rector  and  the  said  churchwardens  of 
the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  any  two  of  them,  shall  and  may  from  time 
to  time,  as  occasion  shall  require,  summon  and  call  together  at  such  day 
and  place  as  they  shall  think  proper,  the  said  rector,  churchwardens  and  vestymen 
for  the  time  being,  10  meet  in  vestry,  giving  them  at  least  one  days  notice 
thereof;  and  we  do  hereby  require  them  to  meet  accordingly.  And  we  do  hereby 
give,  grant,  and  ordain  that  the  said  rector  and  one  of  the  said  churchwardens, 
for  the  time  being  at  least,  together  with  the  majority  of  the  said  vestrymen  of 
the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  being  met  in  vestry  as  above  directed,  shall 
forever  hereafter  have,  and  they  are  hereby  invested  with  full  power  and  authority 
by  the  majority  of  their  voices,  to  do  and  execute  in  the  name  of  the  rec- 
tor and  members  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peek- 
skill,  all  and  singnlar  the  powers  and  authorities  herein  before  given  and  granted 
to  the  said  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt 
near  Peekskill,  any  wise  touching  or  relating  to  such  lands,  messuages  and  tene- 
ments, real  and  personal  estate  whatsoever,  as  they  the  said  rector  and  members 
of  said  church  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill.  shall  or  may  acquire 
for  the  use  of  the  said  church,  and  also  in  like  manner  to  order,  direct,  manage 
and  transaet  the  general  interest,  business  and  affairs  of  our  said  corporation, 
and  also  shall  have  full  power  and  authority  in  like  manner  to  make  and  ordain 
such  rules,  orders  and  ordinances  as  they  shall  judge  convenient  for  the  good 
government  and  discipline  of  the  members  of  the  said  church ;  provided,  such 
rules,  orders  and  ordinances  be  not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  that  part  of  our 
kingdom  of  Great  Britain  called  England,  or  of  this  our  province  of  New-York, 
but  as  or  may  be  agreeable  thereto,  and  that  the  same  be  fairly  entered  in  a  book 
or  books  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose,  and  also  in  like  manner  to  appoint  the  form 
of  the  common  seal  herein  before  granted,  and  the  same  to  alter,  break  and  re- 
make at  their  discretion,  and  also  in  like  manner  to  appoint  such  officer  or  offi- 
cers as  they  shall  stand  in  need  of,  always  provided  that  the  rector  of  the  said 
church  for  the  time  being,  shall  have  the  sole  power  of  nominating  and  appoint- 
ing the  clerk  to  assist  him  in  performing  divine  service,  as  also  the  sexton  ;  any- 
thing herein  before  contained  to  the  contrary  in  any  wise    notwithstanding,  which 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  583 

elerk  and  sexton  shall  hold  and  enjoy  their  respective  offices  during  the  will  and 
pleasure  of  the  rector  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being.  And  whereas  there 
hath  not  yet  been  any  minister  presented  or  inducted  to  the  said  church,  our  royal 
will  and  pleasure  therefore  is,  that  until  the  said  church  shall  be  supplied  with  a 
minister  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  by  law  established,  as  is  herein  after  men- 
tioned, and  also  in  case  of  every  avoidance  of  the  said  church  thereafter,  either 
by  the  death  of  the  rector  thereof  or  otherwise,  that  the  powers  and  authorities 
vested  in  the  rector,  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  in  vestry  met  as  above  men- 
tioned, shall,  until  the  said  church  be  legally  supplied  with  another  incumbent, 
vest  in  and  be  executed  by  the  churchwardens  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  be- 
ing, together  with  the  vestrymen  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cort- 
landt,  near  Peekskill ;  provided  always,  the  concurrance  and  consent  of  the  major 
number  of  the  whole  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being  be  had  in 
every  thing  that  shall  in  such  cases  be  done  by  virtue  hereof.  And  we  do  by  these 
presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant  that  the  patronage  and 
advowson  of  the  said  church,  and  the  right  of  presentation  thereto,  shall  forever 
thereafter  belong  to  and  appertain,  and  is  hereby  vested  in  the  churchwardens 
and  vestrymen  of  the  said  church  for  the  time  being,  or  the  majority  of  them 
forever,  whereof  one  churchwarden  shall  always  be  one.  And  further  we  do  by 
these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant  unto  the  reetor 
and  members  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill' 
and  their  successors  forever,  that  this  our  present  grant  shall  be  deemed,  adjudged 
and  construed  in  all  cases  most  favorably,  and  for  the  best  benefit  and  advantage 
of  the  said  rector  and  members  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt, 
near  Peekskill,  and  (hat  this  our  present  grant  being  entered  on  record,  as  is  herein- 
after particularly  expressed,  shall  be  good  and  effectual  in  the  law  to  allintents, 
constructions  and  purposes  whatsoever,  against  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  ac- 
cording to  the  true  intent  and  meaning  herein  before  declared,  notwithstanding 
the  not  reciting,  or  mis-recital,  not  naming,  or  mis-naming  of  any  the  aforesaid 
franchises,  privileges,  immunities,  offices,  or  other  the  premises  or  any  of  them  ; 
and  although  no  writ  of  ad  quod  damnum  or  other  writs,  inquisitors  or  penalities 
hath  or  have  been,  upon  this  account,  had,  made,  issued,  or  prosecuted.  To  have 
and  to  hold,  all  and  singular,  the  privileges,  liberties,  advantages  and  immunities 
hereby  granted  or  meant,  mentioned  or  intended  so  to  be,  unto  them  the  said  rec- 
tor and  members  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peeks- 
kill,  and  to  their  successors  forever.  In  testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  these 
our  letters  to  be  made  patent,  and  the  great  seal  of  our  said  province  to  be  here- 
unto affixed,  and  the  same  to  be  entered  on  record  in  our  Secretary's  office  in  our 
city  of  New  York,  in  one  of  the  books  of  patents  there  remaining  Witness  our 
said  trusty  and  well  beloved  Cadwallader  Colden,  Esq,,  our  said  Lieutenat  Gover- 
nor, and  Commander-in-chief  of  our  said  province  of  Njw  York,  and  the  terri- 
tories depending  thereon  in  America,  at  our  fort  in  our  city  of  New  York,  by  and 
with  the  advice  and  consent  of  our  Council  for  our  said  province,  the  18th  day  of 
August   in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  1770,  and  of  our  reign  the  10th."-1 

•  Book  of  Patents,  Secretary  of  State's  office,  Albany. 


5S4  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  following  minutes  relate  to  the  first  vestry  meeting  held 
under  the  charter : — "  September  1st,  1770,  at  a  meeting  of  the 
churchwardens  and  vestry  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  ma- 
nor of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill  ;  present,  Mr.  Robinson  and  Mr- 
Charles  Moore,  wardens  ;  Mr.  J.  Johnson,  Mr.  Caleb  Ward,  Mr. 
J.  Nelson  and  Mr.  Jeremiah  Drake,  vestrymen.  The  charter 
being  read,  they  proceeded  to  choose  Mr.  John  Johnson,  clerk 
for  the  present  year.  Resolved,  to  sett  a  subscription  on  foot  in 
favor  of  Mr.  John  Doty,  and  endeavour  to  settle  him  as  our 
minister.  Also,  resolved,  that  although  the  subscription  men- 
tions to  be  paid  yearly,  yet  all  those  who  shall  subscribe  to  ye 
support  of  a  minister,  upon  their  moving  out  of  a  place,  shall  be 
discharged  from  their  subscription,  &c."a 

At  a  meeting  held  loth  of  October,  1770,  it  was  "agreed  to 
give  Mr.  John  Doty  a  call  as  rector  of  this  Church,  when  he  is 
properly  ordained.  The  vestry  also  preferred  a  petition  to  the  Soci- 
ety for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts,  for  recom- 
mending Mr.  Doty,  and  praying  their  assistance  for  his  main- 
tenance. They  likewise  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bar- 
ton, Secretary  of  that  body,  giving  an  account  of  the  state  of 
the  Church,  and  on  the  same  day  entered  into  a  bond  to  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Auchmuty,  D.  D.  for  the  payment  of  £40  New  York 
currency  towards  the  minister's  support."1*  The  following  copies 
of  the  letter  and  petition  are  from  the  MSS.  of  the  Ven.  Society: — 

THE     CHURCHWARDENS     AND     VESTRY     OF    ST. 
PETER'S  CHURCH  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

"  Peekskill,  in  the  Province  of  New   York,  in  America,  ) 

Oct.  loth,  1770.      \ 

Rev.  Sir, 
Permit  us,  as  wardens  and  vestrymen  for  St.  Peter's  Church,  to 


•Vestry  book  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  Peekskill,  pp.  1-2. 

bditto  pp.  2-3.     At  this  meeting  the  following  seal  was  adopted  by  the  Corporation 
viz : — "  a  dove  with  an  olive  branch  ia  her  bill." 


AND  CHURCH  OP  CORTLANDT.  585 

address  you,  and  acquaint  you  with  the  steps  we  have  taken  for 
settling  a  Church,  according  to  the  established  Church  of  Eng- 
land, and  to  solicit  your  assistance  and  interest  with  the  Vene- 
rable Society,  that  we  may  be  so  happy  as  to  be  prttronized  by 
them,  and  obtain  their  charitable  assistance  towards  maintain- 
ing a  minister. 

It  is  about  four  years  since  a  few  of  us  first  attempted  to  be- 
gin the  building  of  a  church  in   the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near 
Peekskill,  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  and  on  the  9th  day  pf 
August,  1767,  had  got  it  so  far  finished,  as  to  get  the  favor  of 
the  worthy  and  Rev.   Dr.   Ogilvie  of  New  York,  to  open  and 
consecrate  it,  which  he  did,  calling  it  St.  Peter's  Church  ;   and 
have  since  (tho'  not  yet  completely  finished)  made  it  a  decent 
and   comfortable    building    for   performing   divine   worship  in. 
The  next   step   we  took,  to  enable  us  further  to  prosecute  our 
design,  was  to  apply  to  his  honor,  Lieut.  Governor  Colden  for  a 
charter,  which  he  was  pleased  to  grant  us.     Being  so  far  ad- 
vanced in  our  undertaking,  Mr.  John  Doty,  a  gentleman  edu- 
cated at  King's  College  in  New  York,  offered  himself  as  a  can- 
didate for  our  Church,  and  has  performed  divine  service  for  us 
most  part  of  last  summer ;    and  has  given  such  general  satisfac- 
tion, that  we  have  unanimously  agreed  to  give  him  a  call  as 
soon  as  he  is  properly  ordained,  and  authorized   to  perform  the 
office  of  a  minister.     And  as  we  are  well   acquainted  with  his 
moral  life  and  conversation,  we  beg  leave  to  recommend  him  to 
the  Venerable  Society  as  a  person  worthy  of  that  sacred  func- 
tion, and  don't  doubt  but  he  will  have  ample  testimonials  from 
the  worthy  clergy  of  New  York,  of  his  education  and  abilities* 
We  send  by  Mr.  Doty,  our  petition  to  the  Venerable  Society,  a 
copy  of  our  charter  and  of  our  subscription  paper  for  his  main- 
tenance, which  amounts  to  £6L  15s.  New  York  currency  annu 
ally ;  but  as  many  of  the  subscribers  are  very  poor,  and  some  of 
them   we  apprehend    will   be  necessarily  obliged  to   leave   the 
neighbourhood,  we  fe:ir  it  will  be  difficult  to  collect  some  of  the 
subscriptions,  but  that    Mr.  Doty  may   be   certain  of  receiving 
something,  we  have  given  our  bond  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Auchmuty 


586  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

as  trustees  for  the  Society,  obliging  us  to  pay  annually  to  Mr. 
Doty  the  sum  of  £40  currency  during  his  continuance  amongst 
us,  as  our  minister,  and  if  the  whole  subscriptions  are  received 
it  is  all  to  be  paid  to  him.     The  church  is  in  a  very  thickly  settled 
country,  (tho'  no  kind  of  public   worship  is  established  in  the 
neigbourhood)  yet  at  present  there  are  but  very  few  that  profess 
to  be  of  the  Church  of   England,   which  makes  it  fall  very 
heavy  upon  those  few,  so  heavy,  that  we  could  not  have  gone 
thro'  with  our  undertaking  but  by  entering  into  an  agreement 
with  the  people  on  the  lower  end    of  Philipse's  upper  patent, 
in  the  County  of  Dutchess,  that  if  they  would  join  in  the  build- 
ing of  St.  Peter's  church,  and  in  the  subscription  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  minister,  that   when  we  obtained  a  missionary  he 
should  be  settled  for  both  places,  so  as  to  make  but  one  congre- 
gation of  the  whole   (we  wish   we  could   say   parish  for  the 
number)  to  preach  every  other  Sunday  at  the  house  of  Jacob 
Mandeville,  till  such  time  as  we  could  build  a  church  in  that 
neigbourhood,  so  that  we  humbly  request,  if  we  are  so  happy 
as  to  gain  the  Venerable  Society's  assistance  and  protection,  that 
Mr.  Doty  may  be  settled  by  them  as  their  missionary  for  both 
the  above  mentioned  places.     The  churches  will  not  be  more 
than  eight  miles  asunder.  It  would  give  us  great  pleasure  if  we 
could  inform  the  Venerable  Society  of  our  having  a  glebe  and 
parsonage   house  provided,   but   that  we  are  sorry   to  say    is 
not  yet  accomplished.     The  people  that  make  up  our  congrega- 
tion are  so  very  poor,  that  we  have    been  discouraged    from 
attempting  to  purchase  a  piece  of  land  for  that  use.     But  we  can 
nevertheless  assure  the  Venerable  Society,  that  from  the  gra- 
cious offer  of  Mr.  Beverly  Robinson,  we  have  not  the  least  doubt 
of  having  a  very  good  glebe  provided  within  the  year.     For  a 
more  particular  account  of  the  manner  in  which  we  expect  to 
obtain  the  glebe,  we  must  beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  Mr.   Doty, 
who  is  well  acquainted  with  every  circumstance  relating  thereto. 
We  are  with  the  greatest  esteem  and  respect,  Rev.  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  humble  servants, 

Beverly  Robinson,  )  churchwardens. 
Charles  Moore.        \ 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  587 

For  themselves  and  the  rest  of   the   vestry   of   St.   Peter's 
Church."* 

TO  THE  VENERABLE  SOCIETY  FOR  THE  PROPA- 
GATION OF  THE  GOSPEL  IN  FOREIGN  PARTS.  THE 
PETITION  OF  THE  WARDENS  AND  VESTRY  OF  ST. 
PETER'S  CHURCH,  IN  THE  MANOR  OF  CORTLANDT, 
NEAR  PEEKSKILL,  IN  THE  COUNTY  OF  WESTCHES- 
TER AND  PROVINCE  OF  NEW  YORK  IN  AMERICA. 

Humbly  Sheweth, 
"That  your  petitioners,  in  conjunction  with  the  restof  the  peo- 
ple who  form  the  congregations  of  the  Churches  aforesaid,  hav- 
ing for  some  time  labored  under  the  lamentable  circumstance 
of  not  enjoying  an  opportunity  of  publickly  worshiping  God 
in  the  decent  and  solemn  order  of  the  established  Church  of  Eng- 
land, whose  evangelical  doctrine  and  discipline  they  profess 
and  admire  ;  and  being  convinced  of  how  great  utility  such  a 
sacred  establishment  would  be,  the  County  being  thickly  in- 
habited and  almost  entirely  destitute  of  every  kind  of  public 
worship,  towards  promoting  the  salvation  of  many  souls  and 
the  prosperity  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  have  (tho'  at  present 
but  few  in  number,)  been  at  the  expense  of  building  a  neat  and 
convenient  church,  for  which  they  have  received  a  charter  from 
his  Honour  Lieut.  Governor  Colden.  That  being  well  satisfied  of 
the  character  and  abilities  of  Mr.  John  Doty,  a  gentleman  edu- 
cated at  King's  College,  they  have  unanimously  given  him  a 
call  and  agreed,  when  he  shall  be  properly  ordained  by  his  Lord- 
ship the  Bishop  of  London,  or  any  other  English  Bishop  ap- 
pointed for  that  purpose,  to  receive  him  as  their  minister  for  the 
said  St.  Peter's  Church,  and  also  for  the  neigborhood  of  Jacob 
Mandeville,  in  the  lower  end  of  Philipse's  patent,  in  Dutchess 
County,  where  it  is  intended  to  build  another  church  to  be  uni- 
ted as  one  congregation,  and  that  they  have  cheerfully  subscribed 

New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  pp.  524-6.  (Hawks.) 


588  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

to  the  amount  of  £61  15s.  New  York  currency,  towards  sup- 
porting him  as  such.  But  sensible  that  such  a  sum  is  not  suffi- 
cient for  that  purpose,  and  being  well  assured  of  the  benevo- 
lence and  generosity  of  the  Venerable  Society,  whose  readiness 
upon  all  occasions,  as  far  as  possible  to  favor  attempts  of  this 
nature  has  ever  been  deservedly  admired,  they  take  the  liberty 
humbly  to  pray  that  they  will  appoint  Mr.  Doty  their  mission- 
ary to  the  aforesaid  places,  and  to  grant  him  such  part  of  their 
bounty  as  they  shall  think  proper. 

Your  petitioners  humbly  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  your 
favorable  notice  the  infant  state  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  and  to 
assure  you  that  we  shall  ever  esteem  it  a  singular  honor  and 
happiness  to  be  in  any  degree  patronized  by  the  Society.  May 
heaven  ever  smile  upon  and  bless  your  laudible  endeavours  to 
promote  the  glory  of  God  ;  and  at  the  great  day  of  accounts 
crown  all  your  faithful  labors  here  with  everlasting  happiness. 
Sealed  by  order  of  the  Vestry,  this  15th  day  of  Oct.  1770. 

John  Johnson,  Clerk."*1 

The 

REV.  JOHN  DOTY,  A.  M. 

first  rector  of  this  parish,  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Doty 
of  New  York,  where  he  was  born  circ.  1750. b  In  1768  he  was 
entered  at  King's  College,  where  he  was  admitted  B.  A.  pro 
forma  in  1770.  During  the  summer  of  that  year  he  officiated  in 
this  parish  as  a  lay  reader,  and  in  the  fall  went  to  England  for 
holy  orders.  His  license  from  the  Bishop  of  London,  to 
officiate  in  this  Province,  bears  date  Tuesday,  the  1st  of 
January,  1771.     Soon  after  his  return  he  accepted  the  call  of 


»New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  ii.  526-7.  (Hawks.) 
b Joseph  Doty  was  a  member  of  the  ancient  family  of  the  Dough tys  or  Douteys  of 
Esher,    Surrey,  and  Boston.   Lincolnshire,   England.     There  was  a  Samuel   Doty 
graduated  at  Yale  College    in  1733.     The  arms  of  this  family  are  : — ar,  two  bars, 
between  three  mullets  of  six  points  sa.  pierced  or. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  589 

the  vestry,  and  was  thereupon  inducted,  as  appears  from  the 
following  documents  : — "  On  the  Sth  of  June,  1771,  it  was  unani- 
mously agreed  by  the  wardens  and  vestry,  that  the  Rev.  John 
Doty  be  presented  to  the  rectory  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the 
manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill,  and  ordered  that  the  war- 
dens do  deliver  him  the  key  of  the  said  church  and  give  him 
possession  according  to  law."  Agreeable  to  the  above  resolution 
the  churchwardens  did  on  the  same  day  deliver  the  key  to  the 
said  Rev.  John  Doty,  and  possession  of  the  said  church. 

GOVERNOR    TRYON'S   ADMISSION    OF    MR.  DOTY  TO   THE   REC- 
TORY OF  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH,  PEEKSKILL. 

"  I,  William  Tryon,  Esq.  Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief  in  and  over  the 
Province  of  New  York  and  the  Territories  thereon  depending  in  America,  Chancel 
lor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  do  admit  you,  John  Doty,  Clerk,  to  be  Rec- 
tor of  ti-is  parish,  and  parish  church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near 
Peeksku/,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  in  the  said  Province,  with  all  their  ri<rhts, 
members  and  appurtenances.  Given  under  my  hand  and  the  prerogative  seal  of  the 
Province  of  New  York,  the  16th  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1771. 

William  Tryon." 

LETTERS  OF  INSTITUTION  BY  GOVERNOR  TRYON  TO  MR.  JOHN 

DOTY,  CLERK. 

■(  I,  William  Tryon,  Esq.  Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief  in  and  ov^r  the 
Province  of  New  York  and  the  Territories  depending  thereon  in  America,  Chancel- 
lor and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  Do  institute  you,  John  Doty,  Clerk,  to  be  Rector 
of  the  parish  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peekskill,  in  ye  County 
of  Westchester  in  the  said  Province,  to  the  care  of  the  souls  of  the  parishioners  of  ye 
said  parish  and  take  your  cure  and  mine.  Given  under  my  hand  and  the  Pro- 
vincial seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  this  16th  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our 
Lord  1771. 

William  Tryon." 

"  Upon  which  Mr.  John  Doty,  having  first  produced  a  certificate  to  this  board  of 
his  having,  in  the  presence  of  several  witnesses,  declared  his  unfeigned  assent  and  con. 
sent  to  the  39  Articles  of  Religion  agreed  upon  by  the  Archbishops  and  Bishops  in  the 
Convention,  holden  at  L  ondon,  A.  D.  1562,  and  having  prefixed  thereto  His  Majes- 
ties Royal  Declaration,  after  which  he  was  by  virtue  of  certain  letters  mandatory 
under  the  Prerogative  seal,  in  due  manner  inducted  into  the  real,  actual  and  corporeal 
possession  of  the  Rectory  and  parish  church  of  St.  Peter's  afforesaid,  which  letters 
mandatory,  are  in  the  following  words,  viz : 


590  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

MANDATE  FROM    GOVERNOR   TRYON   TO   INDUCT    MR.  JOHN 
DOTY  INTO   THE   RECTORY  OF   ST.  PETERS  CHURCH. 

"  His  Excellency  William  Tryon,  Esq.,  Captain  General  and  Governor  in  Chief  in 
and  over  the  Province  of  New  York  and  the  Territories  depending  thereon  in  Ameri- 
ca, Chancellor  and  Vice  Admiral  of  the  same,  To  all  and  singular,  Rectors  and 
Parish  Ministers  whatsoever  in  the  Province  of  New  York,  or  to  the  churchwardens 
and  vestrymen  of  the  Parish  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  near  Peeks- 
kill,  in  the  county  of  Westchester  in  the  said  Province,  and  to  each  and  every  of  you, 
greeting  :  Whereas,  I  have  admitted  our  beloved  in  Christ,  John  Doty,  Clerk,  to  the 
Rectory  of  the  parish  and  parish  church  of  St.  Peter's,  in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt, 
near  Peekskill,  in  the  county  of  Westchester,  within  this  Government,  to  which  the 
said  John  Doty  was  presented  by  the  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  said 
parish,  the  true  and  undoubted  patrons  of  the  said  parish,  vacant,  as  never  having 
before  been  supplied  by  any  incumbent ;  and  him  the  said  John  Doty,  I  have  instituted 
into  the  Rectory  of  the  said  parish  and  parish  church,  with  all  their  rights,  members 
and  appurtenances,  (observing  the  laws  and  canom  of  "ight  in  that  behalf  required, 
and  to  be  observed :)  To  you  therefore,  jointly  and  severally,  I  do  commit,  and 
firmly  enjoining  do  command,  each  and  every  of  you,  that  in  due  manner,  him  the 
said  John  Doty,  Clerk,  or  his  lawfull  proctor  in  his  name,  or  for  him,  into  the  real> 
actual  and  corporeal  posessiou  of  the  said  Rectory,  parish  and  parish  church  of  St- 
Peter's,  and  of  all  the  rights  anil  appurtenances  whatever  to  the  same  belongingj 
you  induct  or  cause  to  be  inducted  ;  and  him  so  inducted,  you  do  defend  ;  and  of  what 
you  shall  have  done  hi  the  premises  thereof,  you  do  duly  certify  unto  me  or  other 
competent  judges  in  that  behalf,  when  thereunto  you  shall  be  duly  required.  Given 
under  my  hand  and  the  Prerogative  seal  of  the  Province  of  New  York,  the  16th 
day  of  July,  1771.a 

William  Tryon." 

During  this  year  Governor  Tryon  also  granted  a  special  charter 
in  virtue  whereof  the  vestry  held  a  certain  glebeb  of  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  given  by  Colonel  Beverly  Robinson,  senior 
warden  of  this  parish,  for  the  use  of  the  Rector  officiating  one 
half  of  his  time  at  St.  Philipse's  in  the  Highlands.  This  pro- 
perty was  subsequently  sold,  as  we  shall  have  occasion  to  show, 
under  an  order  of  the  Court  of  Chancery  in  1838,  and  equally 
divided  between  the  two  churches.  Out  of  these  funds  (aided 
by  a  liberal  donation  from  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  amount- 


*  Vestry  book. 

b  The  old  church  glebe  is  now  the  property  of  Mr.  David  McCoy. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  591 

ing  to  $1000,)  the  present  chapel  was  erected  in  the  village  of 
Peekskill. 
For  the  following  particulars,  relative  to  the  noble  benefactor  of 
this  parish,  the    author  is  indebted  to  Mr.  Sabine: — "Beverly 
Robinson,  Esq.  was  a  son  of  the  Hon.  John  Robinson  of  Virginia, 
who   was    President    of     that    Colony   on   the   retirement  of 
Governor  Gooch,  in  1734.     He  emigrated  to   New  York,   and 
married    Susannah,     daughter   of   Frederick    Philipse,  Esq., 
who  owned  an   immense   landed  estate  on  the    Hudson   river. 
By  this  connection,   Mr.   Robinson   became  rich.     When  the 
Revolutionary  controversy  commenced,  he  was  living  upon  that 
portion  of  the  Philipse  estate  which  had  been  given  to  his  wife, 
and  there  he  desired  to  remain  in  the  quiet  enjoyment  of  country 
life,  and  in  the  management  of  his  large  domain.     That  such 
was  his  inclination,  is  asserted  by  the  late  President  Dwight,  and 
is  fully  confirmed  by  circumstances  and  by  his  descendants.     He 
was  opposed  to  the  Measures  of  the  ministry,  gave   up  the  use 
of  imported  merchandise,  and  clothed  himself  and  his  family  in 
fabrics  of  domestic  manufacture.     But  he  was  also  opposed  to 
the  separation  of  the  Colonies  from  the  mother  country.     Still, 
he  wished  to  take  no  part  in  the  conflict  of  arms.     The  impor- 
tunity of  friends  overruled  his  ov/n  judgement,  and  he  entered 
the  military  service  of  the  crown.     His  standing  entitled  him  to 
high  rank.     Of  the  loyal  American  regiment,  raised  principally  in 
New  York  by  himself,  he  was  accordingly  commissioned  the 
colonel.      He  also  commanded   the  curps  called  the  '  Guides' 
and  (  Pioneers.'     Of  the  former  or  the   loyal  Americans,  his  son 
Beverly  was  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  Thomas  Barclay,  Major. 
Besides  his  active  duty  in  the  field,  Colonel  Robinson  was  em- 
ployed to  conduct  several  matters  of  consequence,  and  he  figures 
conspicuously   in   cases  of   defection   from   the   Whig  cause. 
Colonel  Robinson   at  the  peace,  with  a  part  of  his   family, 
went  to  England.     The  name  appears  as  a  member  of  the  first 
Council  of  New  Brunswick,  but  he  never  took  his  seat  at  that 
board.     His  wife  is  included  in  the  confiscation  act  of  New-York, 
and  the  whole  estate  derived  from   her  father  passed  from  the 


592 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


family.  The  value  of  her  interest  may  be  estimated  from  the 
fact,  that  the  British  Government  granted  her  husband  the  sum 
of  £17000  sterling,  which,  though  equal  to  eighty  thousand  dol- 
lars, was  considered  only  a  partial  compensation.  After  going 
to  England,  Colonel  Robinson  lived  in  retirement.  He  was  un- 
happy, and  did  not  conceal  the  sufferings  which  preyed  on  his 
spirits.  He  resided  at  Thornbury,  near  Bath,  and  there  closed 
his  days  in  1792,  at  the  age  of  69.  His  sons  were,  Col.  Beverly 
Robinson  of  the  British  army,  (who  died  in  1816,  at  New  York 
while  on  a  visit  to  his  two  sons,  Beverly  and  Morris,  who  still 
continue  to  reside  in  that  city),  Col.  Morris  Robinson  of  the 
British  army,  and  Col.  John  Robinson,  speaker  of  the  House  of 
Assembly  in  New  Brunswick." 


Col.  Beverly  Robinson,. 

.We  return  to  the  history  of  the  parish.  Upon  the  23d  of 
March,  1772,  it  was  resolved  by  the  vestry  : — "  To  go  and  build 
Mr.  Doty  a  house — also  to  agree  with  Jerediah  Frost  to  get  the 
timber,  draw  the  same,  (viz :  the  boards  and  other  materials 
which  he  may  want  for  the  said  house)  to  do  all  the  carpenter's 
and  joiner's  work,  and  paint  and  glaze  the  same  for  seventy-five 
pounds." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  593 

Mr.  Doty's  incumbency  here  was  short,  not  continuing  over 
two  years.  From  this  place  he  removed  to  Schenectady,  as 
appears  by  the  following  extract  from  the  abstract  of  the  Yen. 
Prop.  Society  for  1773: — "At  the  request  of  the  churchwardens 
and  vestry  of  Schenectady,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Doty,  a  gentleman 
educated  at  King's  College,  New  York,  and  ordained  sometime 
since  for  St.  Peter's,  at  Peekskill,  is  appointed  to  succeed  the  Rev. 
Wra.  Andrews,  with  the  former  salary."  The  Society,  however, 
were  greatly  displeased  at  his  removal,  and  through  their  Secre- 
tary informed  him,  "That  the  circumstances  under  which  he  left 
his  congregation  at  Peekskill  do  not  raise  him  in  the  opinion  of 
the  Society,  to  whom  his  conduct,  in  that  particular,  hath  been 
reported  to  his  disadvantage,  and  as  an  act  of  ingratitude."* 
He  remained  at  Schenectady  until  1777,  when  he  removed  to 
Canada,  being  obliged  to  sell  his  furniture  to  obtain  the  means 
of  transportation. h  "  In  1775,  (says  Dr.  O'Callaghan)  divine  ser- 
vice was  suspended  in  his  church,  on  account  of  the  troubles, 
and  he  himself  became  the  object  of  much  harsh  treatment. 
He  was  taken  prisoner  twice,  and  at  length  deemed  it  prudent,  in 
the  fall  of  1777,  to  apply  for  liberty  to  remove  to  Canada,  which 
he  obtained.  He  thereupon  proceeded  to  Montreal,  where  he 
was  appointed  chaplain  to  his  Majesty's  royal  regiment  of  New 
York.  Here  he  continued  until  October,  1781,  when  he  re- 
paired to  England.  He  returned  to  Canada  12th  of  June,  1784, 
having  been  appointed  missionary  at  Sorel.  Here,  for  the  first 
four  weeks,  he  performed  divine  service  in  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  and  afterwards  in  the  barracks,  where  he  resided.  A 
place  of  worship  was,  however,  afterwards  erected,  and  Mr. 
Doty  continued  missionary  at  this  place  until  1793."  "  It  is 
with  concern,  (says  the  Society)  that  it  has  received  information 
that  they  are  deprived  of  the  useful  services  of  this  worthy 
missionary,  (Mr.  John  Doty)  by   his   removal   into    his  native 


*  Copied  from  the  original  letter  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Payue,  rector 
of  St  George's  Church,  Schenectady. 

6  Fowler's  MS.  Biographies  of  the  clergy,  p.  411,  533. 

38 


594  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

country,  to  take  charge  of  St.  Anne's  church,  at  Brooklyn, 
on  Long  Island,  in  the  Province  of  New  York."  (abstracts  of 
1794.)  His  connection  with  this  church  must  however  have  been 
brief,  for  his  name  occurs  again  in  1796,  on  the  Society's  list  as 
missionary  at  Sorel,  whither  he  must  have  returned  the  previous 
year.  He  finally  resigned  his  mission  in  1803,  when  his  con- 
nection with  the  Society  for  Propagating  the  Gospel  ceased  alto- 
gether." 


Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Doty,  the  vestry  must  have 
adopted  measures  for  obtaining  the  services  of  another  minister, 
for  on  the  18th  of  September,  1775,  it  was  resolved  by  that  body, 
"  to  set  on  foot  a  subscription  towards  the  support  of  the  Rev. 
Bennet  Page,  during  his  preaching  at  St.  Peter's  church,  at 
Peekskill."     This  individual  was  probably  the 

REV.  BERNARD  PAGE,  A.  M., 

who  was  licensed  by  the  Bishop  of  London,  August  24th,  1772, 
and  appointed  to  Wyoming  parish,  Pennsylvania,  from  whence 
he  removed  to  this  Province.  Mr.  Page  does  not  appear  to  have 
officiated  here  very  long  ;  and  no  doubt  left  in  consequence  of 
the  breaking  out  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  Several  persons  of 
this  name  were  graduates  of  Harvard  University,  and  staunch 
loyalists.  Alter  this,  religious  services  were  suspended  in  the 
parish,  and  no  clergyman  was  called  or  settled  for  nearly  seven- 
teen years.  Seated  near  the  Hudson  river,  the  village  of  Peeks- 
kill  suffered  a  great  deal  from  the  inroads  of  the  enemy  j 
who  frequently  came  out  from  New  York  in  considerable  force. 
In  September,  1777,  the  whole  place  was  sacked  and  burnt,  and 
the  neigboring  country  pillaged  by  them. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  (the  principal  members  of  the 
Church  having    removed    from   the  parish)  the  Presbyterians 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANBT.  595 

took  advantage  of  the  dissentions  then  existing,  by  attempting  to 
seize  the  church  and  glebe,  and,  under  the  act  of  1784, a  choos- 
ing trustees,  who  it  seems  were  all  of  one  persuasion.  But 
these  nefarious  schemes  were  happily  frustrated,  and  the  church 
finally  incorporated  under  the  old  title. 

According  to  a  notice  of  this  event  given  by  the  Rev.  Andrew 
Fowler,  in  the  year  1793,  we  learn  : — "  That  three  or  four  years 
ago  the  Presbyterians  made  an  attempt  to  take  the  church  and 
glebe  by  force ;  they  called  the  church  by  a  new  name  '  Union 
Chiirch-  and  in  order  to  carry  their  schemes  they  chose  one  half 
of  the  trustees,  as  they  said,  out  of  the  Church.  The  truth  is 
they  had  once  professed  themselves  Episcopalians  ;  but  most  of 
them  have  since  proved  themselves  to  be  rank  Dissenters,  which 
the  Presbyterians  no  doubt  knew."  These  facts  were  recorded 
in  consequence  of  Mr.  Silas  Constant  (a  Presbyterian  minister) 
having  applied  to  the  vestry  for  liberty  to  preach  in  the  church. 
The  latter,  however,  referred  the  matter  to  Mr.  Fowler,  who  very 
improperly  granted  the  request.  It  appears  that  only  a  short  time 
previous  to  this  Mr.  Fowler  had  obtained  the  use  of  Mr.  Constant's 
pulpit  at  Yorktown.  Fourteen  years  afterwards,  however, 
when  the  latter  again  applied  for  the  same  object,  the  vestry 
took  a  much  firmer  stand,  voting  as  follows  : — "  that  leave  can- 
not be  granted  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Constant  to  preach  in  the  church 
of  St.  Peter's  consistent,  with  the  canons  of  the  Church."b 

According  to  notice  given  on  Monday,  5th  of  April,  1790,  be. 
ing  Monday  in  Easter  week,  (the  day  appointed  by  charter  for 
choosing  officers  for  St.  Peter's  Church,  in  the  manor  of  Cort- 
land and  St.  Philipcs  chapel  in  the  Highlands,)  the  following 
persons  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year,  viz  :  Win.  Dunning 
and  Caleb  Ward,  churchwardens  ;  Joshua  Nelson,  James  Spock, 
Richard  A.  Arnold,  Caleb  Morgan,  Silvanus  Haight  and  Jarvis 
Dusenbury,  vestrymen.     Upon  the  24lh   of   November,    1791, 


•Entitled  aj  act  to  enable  all  Religious  Denominations  in  the  State  to  appoint  trus- 
tees. 
bVestry  minutes,  April  25,  1807. 


596  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  vestry  "  agreed  to  pay  the  sum  of  £20  for  the  support  of 
David  Lamson,  to  read  service  in  St.  Peter's  church,  at  Peeks, 
kill  and  St.  Philips'  chapel,  in  the  Highlands,  until  the  first  of 
April  next;  and  it  is  further  agreed  that  Joshua  Nelson  and  Sil- 
vanus  Haight,  shall  furnish  him  with  necessarys  agreeable  to 
a  person  of  his  station,  during  said  term." 

The  parish  remained  destitute  of  stated  services  until  1792, 
when  the  vestry  called  the 

REV.  ANDREW  FOWLER. 

He  was  the  son  of  John  Fowler  of  Rye,  in  this  county,  where 
he  was  bom  June,  1760.  In  1784,  he  had  charge  of  a  school 
at  New  Rochelle,  and  the  year  following  was  chosen  the  first 
delegate  from  that  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Convention.  To  his 
exertions,  under  God,  the  Church  in  this  county  is  justly  indebted 
for  at  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  he  collected  the  dis. 
persed  congregations  at  Rye,  White  Plains,  New  Rochelle  and 
Yonkers,  in  the  capacity  of  a  lay  reader.  In  1788,  he  was  re- 
commended to  the  Bishop  for  holy  orders,  and  was  ordained 
Deacon  by  Bishop  Provoost,  in  the  month  of  June,  1789, 
and  Priest,  on  the  18th  day  of  the  same  month,  1790.  He 
commenced  his  labors  as  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel  over  the 
united  parishes  of  Brookhaven,  Huntington  and  Oyster  bay,  L. 
I.  He  remained  there  but  two  years,  when  he  was  called,  as 
we  have  seen,  to  the  rectorship  of  this  parish.  Upon  the  7th  of 
August,  1792,  the  vestry  agreed  with  the  Rev.  Andrew  Fowler 
to  officiate  as  rector,  and  to  pay  him  for  his  services  the  sum  of 
£70."  They  also  agreed  "  to  put  him  in  possession  of  the  glebe 
farm,  from  the  1st  day  of  May  next." 

The  same  year  Mr.  Dunning,  senior  warden  of  the  parish 
certified  to  the  Diocesan  Convention,  "  that  possession  had  been 
procured  of  the  parsonage  house  and  glebe,  belonging  to  the 
churches  of  St.  Philip's,  at  the  Highlands,  and  St.  Peter's,  near 
Peekskill.  That  they  had  given  a  call  to  the  Rev  Mr.  Fowler, 
and  had  provided  for  his  support ;  and  that  the  people  seemed 
much  pleased  with  having  the  Gospel  once  more  preached,  and 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  597 

divine  service  performed  according  to  the  usage  of  the  Protes- 
tant Episcopal  Church."  At  a  vestry  meeting  held  January  3d? 
1793,  it  was  resolved : — "That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fowler  shall  be  in- 
ducted according  to  the  mode  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
in  this  State,  now  in  use,  into  the  rectory  of  St.  Peter's  Church* 
in  the  manor  of  Cortlandt,  and  St.  Philips'  chapel,  in  Philips- 
town,  now  in  connection  together,  and  that  the  induction  into 
St.  Peter's  shall  be  made  on  Sunday,  the  6th  of  next  January ; 
and  the  induction  of  St.  Philips'  chapel,  whenever  convenience 
will  permit."  Upon  the  4th  of  January,  1794,  the  thanks  of  the 
vestry  were  given  to  Pierre  Yan  Cortlandt  for  the  great  pains  he 
had  taken  at  the  Legislature  of  this  State,  to  obtain  a  title  for 
the  glebe  belonging  to  the  united  churches.  Mr.  Fowler  resigned 
the  charge  of  this  parish  in  1794,  and  subsequently  remove*  to 
Charleston,  South  Carolina,  where  he  died  December  29th,  1850, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety.  The  following  notice  of  his  death 
appeared  in  the  Calendar  for  March  1st,  1851  : — "  The  Charles- 
ton Gospel  Messenger  for  February,  contains  an  obituary  notice 
from  which  we  extract  the  following  particulars  : — 'It  may  be 
truly  said  of  the  departed  he  wr.s  a  great  missionary.  In  five 
or  more  of  our  Dioceses  he  officiated  for  more  or  less  time ; 
but  the  greater  part  of  his  ministerial  life,  that  is  about  forty 
years,  was  passed  in  South  Carolina.  He  was  the  first  mis- 
sionary of  our '  Advancement  Society,'  and  first  missonary  of 
the  '  Society  for  Missions  of  young  men  and  others,'  instituted 
in  Charleston  ;  which  was  intended  to  act  out  of  the  Dio. 
cese,  the  elder  Society  being  trusted  within  the  Diocese,  and 
which  continued  until  the 'General  Missionary  Society' super- 
ceded the  occasion  of  it.  The  Churches  now  flourishing  in 
Columbia,  Choran,  St.  Augustin,  (Florida)  and  Wadesborough, 
at  Charleston,  were  planted  by  him.  The  old  parishes  of  St. 
Bartholomew's,  Edisto  Island,  and  Christ  Church,  each  of  them 
for  several  years  found  the  benefit  of  his  ministrations.' 

"Few  more  industrious  men,  physically,  mentally  and  socially 
have  ever  lived.  'These  hands' he  could  truly  say,  'have  minis- 
tered to  my  necessities,  rand  those  who  were  with  me.'      Into 


598  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

the  garden,  the  field,  the  orchard,  the  vineyard  and  the  forest 
he  went,  not  for  recreation,  or  to  gain  wealth,  but  to  supply  the 
deficiency  of  an  inadequate  salary,  for  he  coveted  no  man's  silver 
or  gold,  or  apparel. 

More  contentment,  with  the,  allotments  of  Divine  Providence  ; 
more  cheerfulness  in  narrow  circumstances  ;  more  confidence  in 
God,  as  respected  himself  and  family  ;  more  meekness  in  his 
intercourse  with  men  ;  more  resignation  in  sickness,  sightlessness, 
adversity,  bereavement  and  the  last  conflict,  I  have  not  wit- 
nessed. I  might  specify  incidents  known  to  several  present. 
To  one  only  I  will  advert : — "  He  had  a  son  intended  for  Holy 
Orders,  much  care  was  bestowed  and  expense  (involving  serious 
self-denial)  incurred  on  his  education.  It  was  finished  with  cre- 
dit at  one  of  our  chief  Colleges.  The  youth  was  now  compe- 
tent to  provide  for  himself,  and  was  just  about  to  become  a  can- 
didate for  the  ministry ;  but  he  (at  that  time  the  only  son)  died. 
It  was  a  Uial,  met  by  his  aged  father  in  the  temper  of  faithful 
Abraham,  and  with  the  resignation  of  holy  Job.  On  the  Feast 
of  St.  Thomas  the  Holy  Communion  was  administred  to  our 
friend,  and  on  the  Sunday  after  Christmas  he  departed,  as  we 
trust,  to  be  ever  with  the  Lord,  aged  ninety  years  and  seven 
months." 

The 

REV.  SAMUEL  HASKELL 

succeeded  Mr.  Fowler,  and  continued  minister  of  the  parish  un- 
til 1798.  For  two  or  three  years  the  parish  was  again  vacant. 
During  this  period  another  attempt  appears  to  have  been  made 
to  obtain  possession  of  the  church  by  a  Mr.  Palmer  and  others, 
for  at  a  vestry  meeting  held  on  the  6th  of  November,  1801,  it  was 
ordered: — "That the  doors  of  the  churches  (St.  Peter's  and  St. 
Philip's)  be  shut  against  Mr.  Palmer  for  the  future."  In  the 
year  1803,  Mr.  James  Mandeville  paid  the  wardens  and  vestrymen 
for  "  one  years  rent  of  the  parsonage  farm,  ending  15th  of  April, 
£35,  and  to  one  year's  rent  of  the  church  land,  situated  round 


AND  CHURCH  OP  CORTLANDT.  599 

the  church,  at  Peekskill  £l."a  The  latter  must  refer  to  the 
cemetry  which  was  confirmed  to  the  church  by  the  royal  charter 
of  1770.  Occasional  services  were  performed  at  this  time  by 
the  New  York  clergy,  for  on  the  20th  of  May,  1804,  Mr.  James 
Mandeville  charges  the  vestry  with  the  expenses,  l-  paid  by  him, 
for  keeping  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Cooper  and  Wilkius,  £0  1 2s." 
In  1800,  the 

REV.   JOSEPH   WARREN 

was  called  to  be  rector  of  the  united  parishes  of  St.  Peters,  Cort- 
landt  and  St.  Philip's,  Philipstown.  The  next  year  he  makes 
report  to  the  Diocesan  Convention,  for  the  two  churches,  of  ten 
communicants.     He  was  succeeded  by  the 

REV.  JOHN  URQUHART, 

who  entered  upon  his  duties  as  minister  of  the  united  parishes 
in  lS09,b  and  resigned  in  December,  1814,  whereupon  the  "Rev. 
Adam  Empie  and  the  Rev.  John  Brown  were  selected  to  supply 
the  vacant  congregations  at  Peekskill  and  Philipstown."  The 
following  year  the  Rev.  Adam  Empie  (chaplain  and  professor 
in  the  military  Academy  at  West  Point)  reported : — "  That  in 
compliance  with  the  appointments  made  at  the  last  Convention 
he  has  performed  divine  services,  and  preached  two  Sundays  at 
Philipstown  and  two  Sundays  at  Peekskill  ;  in  each  of 
which  places  he  administered  the  Holy  Communion,  of  the  ad- 
vantages of  which  they  had  for  more  than  two  years,  been  de- 
prived."    The 

REV.  PETRUS  S.  TEN  BROECK, 

Deacon,  residing  in  New  York,  succeeded  Mr.  Urquha.t  in 
1817.     In  the  fall  of  IS16  he  reported  to  the  Convention,  ''•  that 


"Vestry  minutes.  Tiie  Baptist  meeting  house  must  have  stood  near  St.  Peter' g 
church,  for  on  the  "  "20th  of  March,  1803,  Joseph  Ferris  was  appointed  to  put  up 
the  division  fencn  betweeen  the  church  yards  of  the  Episcopal  and  Baptist  churches.*' 

u  Jacob  Lent  was  allowed  $25  in  lb08-9,  for  reading  service  in  both  churches. 


(500  HISTORY  02  THE  PARISH 

the  congregations  at  Fishskill,  Philipstown  and  Peekskill,  have 
been  in  a  depressed  state  in  consequence  of  having  been  desti- 
tute of  the  regular  services  of  a  clergyman  for  some  time  past ; 
the  two  last  particularly,  which  have  been  longest  destitute.5* 
They  now  appear  to  be  rising  from  their  depression."*  For  the 
successors  of  Mr.  Ten  Broeck  see  list  of  rectors. 

At  a  vestry  meeting  held  January  4th,  1828,  Pierre  Van  Cort- 
landt,  James  Wiley  and  John  Oppie  were  appointed  a  committee 
to  rent  the  glebe  farm,  and  also  to  petition  the  Chancellor  for  leave 
to  sell  the  same,  &c.  Permission  was  accordingly  granted  on  the 
10th  of  November,  1828,  and  on  the  20th  of  October,  1838,  the 
glebe  was  sold  for  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars.  On  the  18th 
of  April,  1840,  (in  answer  to  an  application  of  the  wardens  and 
vestrymen  of  St.  Peter  s  church  and  St.  Philip's  chapel, b)  an 
act  was  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  this  State,  authorizing  a 
seperation  of  said  church  and  chapel. 

In  1829  an  organization  was  formed  in  the  village  of  Peeks- 
kill  by  the  name  of  St.  Paul's  Church, c  which  continued  until 
1840,  when  the  above  mentioned  act  of  the  Legislature  took  effect, 
and  the  present  corporation  was  formed  under  the  title  ol 
"  St.   Peter's  Church,  Cortlandt,  in  the  village  of  Peekskill." 

THE  CHURCH. 

The  old  parochial  church  of  St.  Peter's  (a  venerable  relic  of 
the  piety  of  its  founders,  worthy  of  preservation,  and  which, 
connected  as  it  is  with  the  early  Provincial  history  of  the 
Church   in  this  country,  we  hope  to  see  ere  long  put  in  credit- 


■  The  vestry  on  February  22d,  1817,  "  refused  to  allow  the  Independent  Congrega- 
tion to  occupy  a  part  of  the  church  until  further  consideration." 

J  This  application  appears  to  have  been  made  without  a  formal  meeting  of  the 
vestry. 

c  The  Rev.  Edward  J.  Ives  in  his  report  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  of  1829,  says  : 
"  A  new  congregation  has  also  been  organized  in  the  village  of  Peekskill,  who  con- 
template the- erection  of  a  new  church  as  soon  as  their  pecuniary  resources  shall  bo 
enlarged,  being  now  insufficient  to  carry  their  good  object  into  efiect." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  G01 

able  repair3)  stands  upon  (he  summit  of  a  high  knoll,  a  short  dis- 
tance from  the  village  of  Peekskill.  This  humble  structure 
was  erected,  as  we  have  seen  in  the  year  1766.  Th*e  site  and 
adjoining  grave  yard  were  the  gift  of  Catharine  Van  Cortlandt 
wife  of  Andrew  Johnson,  and  daughter  of  the  Rt.  Hon.  Stepha- 
nus  Van  Cortlandt,  first  Lord  ot  the  manor  of  Cortlandt.  The 
following  entry  occurs  in  the  old  quarto  bible  belonging  to 
this  church,  printed  A.  D.  1728  : — "The  gift  of  Mrs.  Susannah 
Robinson,  to  St.  Peter's  church,  at  Peekskill,  which  church  was 
by  the  desire  of  Beverly  Robinson,  Esq,  Messrs,  Jeremiah 
Drake,  Caleb  Ward,  Isaac  Hatfield  and  Charles  Moore,  trustees, 
appointed  by  the  subscribers  to  said  church  for  directing  and 
carrying  on  said  building,  and  for  securing  it  to  the  inhabitants 
as  a  place  of  public  worship,  according  to  the  establishment  of 
the  Church  of  England,  on  Sunday  the  9th  of  August,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  sixty-seven, 
being  the  eighth  Sunday  after  Trinity,  consecrated  by  the  Rev. 
Doctor  John  Ogilvie  of  New  York,  for  the  service  of  the  Holy 
Trinity,  according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Church  of 
England,  as  by  law  established,  by  the  name  of  St.  Peter's 
church." 

Mrs.  Robinson,  (th^  wife  of  Col.  Beverly  Robinson,) 
was  the  eldest  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Frederick  Philipse. 
second  Lord  of  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  by  his  wife, 
Joanna  Brockholes,  and  devisee  with  her  brother,  Philip 
Philipse,  of  Philipse's  patent  in  the  Highlands.  Mrs.  Robin- 
son, as  we  have  seen,  was  included  with  her  husband  in 
the  confiscation  act  of  New  York,  and  at  the  peace  accompanied 
him  to  England.  She  died  at  Thornbury,  near  Bath,  in  1822, 
at  the  age  of  ninety-four. 

TOMBSTONES. 

The  church  yard,  which  is  quite  extensive,  contains  several 


*  In  182S,  it  was  voted,  "  thtt  the  sum  of  $40  be  appropriated  for  the.  repairs  of  St. 
Peter's  Church  and  yard,  under  the  direction  of  James  Mandeville,  John  Oppie  and 
Daniel  W.  Birdsall." 


602  HISTORY   OF  THE  PARISH 

memorials  to  the  Penoyer's,  Ward's,  Drakes,  Ferris',  &c.  The 
oldest  interment  appears  to  have  been  the  following  : — "  Mary 
wife  of  Jolth  Ward,  ivho  died  on  the  Xolh  of  September,  1765,  in 
the  69lh  year  of  her  age."  On  the  west  side  of  the  yard  is  silu- 
ated  the  monument  of  John  Paulding,  one  of  the  captors  of  the 
British  spy,  Major  John  Andre. 

THE  CHAPEL. 

The  chapel  of  St.  Peter's,  which  was  erected  in  I8"8,a 
as  auxiliary  to  the  mother  church,  is  a  handsome  gothic 
structure  of  wood,  situated  near  the  centre  of  the  village  of 
Peekskill.  The  interior,  which  is  handsomly  fitted  up,  contains  a 
neat  chancel  and  gallery.  Against  the  north  wall  is  placed  a 
marble  tablet  inscribed  as  follows: — 

M.  s. 

Ann  Stephenson, 

The  affectionate  and  beloved  wife  of 

Gea.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt, 

of  this  township  and  count)-, 

who  departed  this  life  at  Albany,  March  20th,   1821, 

translated  by    God    to    a  kingdom    of  happiness    and  glory, 

aged  46  years,  6  months  and  16  days. 

Early  instructed  by  her  pious  mother   in    the  doctrines  and  principles  of  the* 

Gospel,  this  excellent  woman  became  exemplary  as  a  communicant  of  the  Church 

when  only  thirteen  years  old,  and  continuing  to  be  a  sincere  and  humble  follower 

of  her  Saviour,  even  unto  her  life's  end,  was  endeared  to  all  who  knew  her  by 

her  Christiaa  virtue-,  and  for  a  pure  and  devoted  attachment  to  Christ's  Holy 

and  Apostolic  Church,  and  to  the     'mbers  of  this  congregation,  who,  as  a  memori. 

al  of  her  worth  and  mark  of  respect  for  her  venerable  consort  and  her  only  son, 

benefactors  of  this  parish,  have  erected  this  tablet. 


Requiescat  in  tace. 


There  is  a  noble  and  deep  toned  bell  in  the  tower,  which  sum- 
mons the  parishioners  every  Lord's  day  to  the  house  of  prayer 


•  The  deed  for  the  church  lot,  from  Ward  B.  Howard  and  Lucia  his  wife,  bears 
date  23d  of  December,  1829. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT.  603 

by  its  rich  and  solemn  sounds.  "  This  was  a  gift  in 
every  way  worthy  of  the  venerable  individual  whose 
name  is  graven  upon  it,  the  late  Gen.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt, 
for  many  years  senior  warden,  to  whoso  family  the  parish  is 
not  only  indebted  for  the  original  grant  of  land  upon  which  the 
mother  church  stands,  but  for  other  and  more  recent  favors." 
It  weighs  one  thousand  and  eighty-five  pounds,  and  bears 
the  following  inscription  : — •'  Cast  by  G.  W.  Holbrook,  East  Med- 
way,  Mass.,  1841.  Presented  to  St.  Peter's  Church,  Peekskill, 
Westchester  County,  New  York,  by  General  Pierre  Van 
Cortlandt,  August  29th,  1841."  The  marble  font  was 
the  gift  of  his  son  Colonel  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt.  The  organ? 
presented  by  the  ladies  of  the  parish  in  1849,  was  also  built 
by  the  Messrs.  Holbrook  &  Co.,  and  cost  twelve  hun- 
dred dollars.  The  corner  stone  of  this  edifice,  which  was 
organized  under  the  title  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  in  1829,  was  laid 
by  Bishop  Onderdonk  in  1838,  and  upon  Saturday,  June  16th, 
of  that  year,  it  was  consecrated  and  set  apart  to  the  worship  and 
service  of  Almighty  God,  under  the  title  of  "St.  Peter's  chapel, 
&c."  by  the  same  Prelate. 

PRINCIPAL  BENEFACTORS. 

•Catharine  Van  Cortlandt,  Col.  Beverly  Robinson  and  Susan- 
nah Philipse  his  wife,  the  Ven.  Propagation  Society,  Gen. 
Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  Col.  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt,  Nicholas  Cru- 
ger,  Esq..  Isaac  Seymour,  Esq.,  Col.  John  Williams  and  the  Cor- 
poration of  Trinity  Church,  New  York.a 

William  Dunning  and  Jarvis  Dusenbury  were  the  first  dele- 
gates from  this  parish  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  in  1791. 

RECTORES   DE  CORTLANDT. 

INST.  RECTORES.  VACAT.     PATRONS. 

16  July,  1771,  Rev.  John  Doty,  CI.  A.  M.  per  resig.  War.  &  Ves. 
18  Sept.  1775,  Rev.  Bernard  Page,  CI.  A.  M.      «  « 


»  Trinity  Church  in  1797  presented  the  sum  of  $750  to  St.  Peter's  church.  In  1807, 
SI £50  for  St.  Peter's  and  St.  Philip's.  In  182G,  $750.  hi  1837,  $250,  aud  in  1839, 
S1000.     Total  $4000. 


604 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


INST. 

7  Aug.  1792,  Rev. 
15  Dec.  1794,  Rev. 
7  April,  1806,  Rev. 
17  Apr.  1811,  Rev. 
llJun.  1817,  Rev. 
29  May,1826,  Rev. 

Dec.  1832,  Rev. 

Apr.  1838,  Rev. 
3  Mar.  1841,  Rev. 
7  Jim.  1843,  Rev. 
25  Apr.  1848,  Rev. 
12  Oct.  1854,  Rev. 


RECTORES.                           VACAT.  PATRONS. 

Andrew  Fowler,  Pr.  per  resig.  War.  &  Ves. 

Samuel  Haskell,  B.  A.  Presb. "  " 

Joseph  Warren,  Presb.         i:  " 

John  Urquhart,  Presb.          "  " 

Petrus  Ten  Broeck,  Presb.   "  " 

Edward  J.  Ives,  Presb.         "  " 

James  Sunderland,  Presb.     "  " 

William  C.  Cooley,  A.  M.  Pr.  "  " 

Moses  Marcus. a  B.  A.  Presb.  "  " 

William  Barlow, b  Presb.       "  " 

George  S.  Gordon,  Presb.       "  " 

Edmund  Roberts,  Presb.  present  rector. 


•The  following  obituary  notice  appeared  in  the  New  York  Churchman,  for  Dec. 
25th,  1852 : — <:  Died  at  Egremont  Place,  New  Road,  London,  on  Friday,  Nov.  26, 
aged  57,  the  Rev.  Moses  Marcus,  a  Presbyter  of  this  Diocese,  but  for  the  last  few 
years  a  resident  in  England,  his  native  country.  Having  received  Deacons  and 
Priests  Orders  in  the  Church  of  England,  he  removed  to  this  country,  and  became 
connected  with  this  Diocese,  in  September,  1835:  where  he  will  be  long  remembered 
for  his  geniai  temperament,  his  warm  and  kind  feelings,  his  steadfast  and  generous 
friendships,  his  quiet  and  unobtrusive  piety,  and  the  earnest  and  disinterested  zea' 
with  which  he  gave  himself  to  his  official  duties,  and  sought  the  good  of  the  Church* 
His  last  parochial  connection  was  with  the  church  of  St.  George  the  Martyr  in  this 
city,  a  parish  of  his  own  raising,  and  which  he  intended  should  be  mainly  for  the 
benefit   of  emigrants  from  the  British  dominions." 

b  The  Church  ^Review  for  April,  1850,  contains  the  following  obituary   notice 


AND  CHURCH  OF  CORTLANDT. 


605 


NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

1807,  Baptisms  59,        Communicants  50. 
1847,         «        —  «  40. 

1853,         «  7,  "  50. 

Whole  number  of  baptisms  from  1838  to  1852,  L32.    Funerals 
62.    Confirmed,  36.    Marriages,  31. 

In  1712,  the  population  of  Cortlandt's  patent  was  121,  and  Ry- 
ke's  patent,  32.  In  1782,  the  east,  middle  and  west  wards  of 
Cortlandt's  manor,  contained  654  heads  of  families.  The  num- 
ber of  families  belonging  to  this  parish  in  1853,  were  54,  and 
number  of  souls,  260.  Catechists,  6  and  Catechumens,  35. 
In  1840,  the  population  of  Cortlandt  was  5,592. 
"  1850,         "  "  «        7,758. 

B  1853,        "     the  village  proper,    "        3,200. 

WARDENS  OF  ST.  PETER'S  CHURCH. 
1770-1. 

1772-3. 

1774-5. 

1790-2. 

1793-4. 

1795-6. 

1797-9. 

1800. 

'l  850-3. 


Beverly  Robinson. 
Beverly  Robinson, 
Beverly  Robinson, 
William  Dunning, 
William  Dunning, 
Silvanus  Haight, 
Joshua  Nelson, 
Daniel  Wm.  Birdsall 
Daniel  Haight. 


Charles  Moore. 

Daniel  Birdsall. 

Jeremiah  Drake. 

Caleb  Ward. 

Pierre  Van  Cortlandt. 

Caleb  Morgan. 
Caleb  Ward,  Sen. 
Daniel  Haight. 
James  Mandeville. 


of  this  individual: — "Died  at  Chicago,  III.,  February  24th,  after  a  short  illuessi 
Rev.  William  Barlow,  formerly  pastor  of  St.  Paul's  Church,  in  Syracuse,  and 
subsequently  ol  Ogdensburgh." 


606 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 
1804. 


Daniel  Haight, 
Daniel  Haight, 
Henry  Garrison, 
Henry  Garrison, 
Barnard  Hanlen, 
Daniel  W.  Birdsall, 
Pierre  Van  Cortland  t, 
Pierre  Van  Cortlandt, 
Pierre  Van  Cortlandt, 
Isaac  Seymour, 
Philip  Flagler, 
Thomas  Snovvden 


1805-7. 

1803-10. 

1811. 

1812-2U. 

1821-5. 
1826-39. 

1840-3. 

1841-8. 
1849-51. 

1852. 

1853. 


Daniel  Birdsall. 
James  Mandeville. 
Barnard  Hanlen. 
Daniel  Birdsall. 
Henry  Garrison. 
Henry  Garrison. 
Henry  Garrison. 
Jonathan  Collett. 
Isaac  Seymour. 
Philip  Flagler. 
Thomas  Snowden. 
Charles  A.  Lee. 


To  this  parish  is  annexed  York  town  on  the  east,  which  prior 
to  1788,  constituted  a  portion  of  the  old  township  of  Hanover, 
within  Cortlandt's  manor.  A  part  of  it  early  acquired  the  name 
of  Gertrude's  borough,  in  honor  of  Gertrude  Beeckman. 

Episcopal  services  were  held  at  the  village  of  Crumpond, 
in  Yorktown,  at  a  very  early  period,  by  Mr.  Wetmore  of  Rye, 
who,  we  are  assured,  "  was  not  wanting  in  his  endeavours  to 
promote  the  interest  of  true  religion  among  the  inhabitants,  but 
his  advanced  age,  and  their  distance,  prevented  his  being  so 
very  serviceable  as  otherwise  he  might  have  been." 


AND  CHURCH  OP  CORTLANDT. 


607 


In  1762,  Crnmpond  was  visited  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dibble  of 
Stamford,  who  describes  the  people,  at  that  time,  as  sheep  with- 
out a  shepherd,  a  prey  to  various  sectaries  and  enthusiastic  lay 
teachers.  He  also  found  here  many  well  wishers  and  professors 
of  the  Church  of  England,  who  told  him  they  had  not  heard 
the  Liturgy  in  several  years.  Some  land  is  said  to  have  been 
given  by  John  Schuyler,  Esq.  for  the  erection  of  an  Episco- 
pal church  at  Cruinpond,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Congrega- 
tional meeting  house.  The  original  deed  from  Schuyler  to  Sacketf, 
is  said  to  be  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Baldwin,  of  Lake  Maho- 
pac.  These  particulars  were  related  to  a  friend  of  the  author, 
by  the  late  Thomas  Strang,  Esq. 

Episcopal  services  were  also  performed  at  the  village  of  Cro- 
ton,  in  this  parish,  by  Mr.  Wet  more  in  1756,  hy  the  Rev.  Mr, 
Dibble  in  1761,  and  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Punderson  in  1763,  who 
says. "  that  he  preached  a  lecture  there,  the  people  giving  a 
cheerful  attendance,  &c." 

Exertions  haye  been  made  within  the  last  year  to  organize  a 
parish  here,  and  build  a  church,  a  lot  having  been  given 
for  that  purpose,  by  Philip  G.  Van  Wyck,  Esq.  a  grandson  of 
the  late  Lt.  Governor,  Pierre  Van  Cortlandt 


^L 


Si.  Peter's  Church,  erected,  A.  D.,  H6& 


HISTORY 


OP  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OP 


SOUTH    SALEM. 


This  parish  prior  to  1808,  was  called  the  lower  district  of  Sa- 
lem and  afterwards  South  Salem,  to  distinguish  it  from  the 
northern  district  and  parish  of  that  name. 

In  1699,  the  Kitchawan  tribe  of  Indians  released  a  large  por- 
tion of  these  lands  to  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt.  This  individual 
had  previously  obtained  a  charter  from  the  Crown,  erecting  the 
whole  of  his  possessions  into  the  Lordship  and  manor  of  Cort- 
landt, by  which  means  the  northern  part  of  this  parish  came  to 
be  included  in  that  manor. 

On  the  8th  of  July,  1701,  we  find  the  Indian  sachem  Catonah 
confirming  to  the  inhabitants  of  Stamford,  "all  those  lands 
which  extend  westward  as  far  as  the  west  bounds  of  Bedford 
purchase  and  marked  trees,  and  by  the  east  bounds  of  the  same, 
&c."  The  foregoing  sale  embraced  a  large  proportion  (perhaps 
the  whole)  of  South  Salem. 

This  parish  also  includes  seven  miles  in  length  of  the  south 
end  of  a  tract  of  land  formerly  called  the  Oblong,  the  patentees 
of  which  on  the  23d  of  December,  1751,  made  the  following 
grant : — 


AND  CHURCH  OF  SOUTH   SALEM.  609 

"That  out  of  the  good  will  they  had  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Salem,  they  have  re-leased  two  parcels  of  land  situated  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  Oblong  or  Equivalent  lands,  to  the  first  Presby- 
terian or  Independent  minister  who  would  be  called  and  ordained 
in  Salem,  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  himself  and  successors  for 
ever.'?a  The  same  year  we  find,  that  tl  a  convention  of  minis- 
ters assembled  at  Salem  upon  the  desire  of  the  people." 

It  appears  from  the  printed  reports  and  MSS.  of  the  Society 
for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel,  that  prior  to  1731,  and  even 
for  some  time  afterwards,  Ridgefield,  Ridgebury  and  the  Oblong 
were  considered  to  be,  in  one  sense,  within  the  bounds  of  the 
parish  or  mission  of  Fairfield.  Accordingly,  at  a  very  early 
period  the  Episcopalians  of  Salem  were  united  with  their  breth- 
ern  of  the  Church  at  those  places,  in  the  support  of  religion. 

Services  in  the  lower  district  of  Salem,  according  to  the  rites 
of  the  Church  of  England,  appear  to  have  been  first  held  by  the 

REV.  EBENEZER  DIBBLE,  A.  M. 

the  Society's  missionary  at  Stamford,  in  the  year  1759  .The  fol- 
lowing extract  occurs  in  a  report  of  his  to  the  Secretary  for  that 
year : — 

MR.  DIBBLEE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 

"Stamford,  Conn.,  New  England,  Sept.  29th,  1759. 
Rev.  Sir, 
June  24th,  second  Sunday  after  Trinity  last,  I   preached  in 
the  lower  district  of  Salem,  to  a  very  considerable  auditory,  judg- 
ing between  three  and  four  hundred  people  old  and  young,  who 
behaved  very  decently  and  attentively,  and  I  gave  the  commu- 


*  The  deed  of  gift,  signed  by  James  Benedict,  Timothy  Keeler  and  others,  was 
proved  by  witnesses  in  November,  1770.  The  original  document  is  in  the  posses- 
sion of  the  clerk  of  the  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  society  at  Lewisboro. 

39 


610  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

nion  to  thirty-nine  communicants.  There  is  a  hopeful  prospect 
of  the  increase  and  flourishing  state  of  religion  among  that  scat- 
tered poor  people,  and  no  endeavours  of  mine  are  wanting  to 
serve  them  in  their  best  interest.  I  preached  to  them  about  two 
weeks  before  upon  a  special  fast,  appointed  in  that  Province  to 
implore  the  smiles  and  blessing  of  Divine  Providence  to  attend 
his  Majesty's  arms  the  ensuing  campaign,  upon  which  occasion, 
also,  that  people  gave  a  religious  and  decent  attendance. 
I  am  Rev.  Sir,  your  most  obedient, 

most  humble  servant  and  brother  in  Christ, 

EBENEZER     DlBBLEE,"a 

This  letter  is  probably  the  only  record  of  the  organization  of 
a  congregation  here,  seperate  from  that  of  Upper  Salem  and 
Ridgefield,  prior  to  1760.  Mr.  Dibble  no  doubt  continued  to 
preach  among  them  as  often  as  the  duties  of  his  extensive  mis- 
sion would  allow,  until  1767,  when  the 

REV.  EPENETUS  TOWNSEND,  A.  M. 

was  appointed  the  Society's  missionary  at  Salem,  Ridgefield  and 
Ridgebury.   In  one  of  his  earliest  communications  to  the  Society 
from  Salem,  Mr.  Townsend  says  : — "  The  fatigue  which  neces. 
sarily  arises  from  a  steady  performance  of  my  duty  in  these  three 
places,  I  have  hitherto,  and  I  trust  in  God,  I  shall  for  the  future 
be  enabled  to  undergo  with  cheerfulness,  tho'  I  expect  it  will 
in  a  little  while  be  increased,  occasioned  by  the  building  a  new 
church  in  Salem,  which  when  it  is  finished,  I  propose,  with  the 
Society's  leave,  to  officiate  in  sometimes.     To  acquaint  the  So- 
ciety with  the  propriety  of  building  a  new   church  in  Salem,  I 
would  observe,  that  Salem  is  a  township  twelve  miles  in  length, 
and  but  two  in  breadth,  joining  on  the  one  side  to  Connecticut, 
and  on  the  other  partly  to  Cortlandt's  manor,  which  extends 
twenty  miles  westward  to  Hudson  river,  and  partly  to  another 


Conn.  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  392.  (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  SOUTH  SALEM.  611 

patent,  which  extends  several  miles  westward  towards  Bedford, 
which  is  the  utmost  limit  of  Mr.  Avery's  mission.  The  church, 
which  is  already  built,  is  situated  within  about  two  miles  of  the 
north  end  of  Salem,  on  the  borders  of  Cortlandt's  manor,  as  the 
Society  was  informed  in  the  petition  of  the  churchwardens  and 
vestry  It  was  built  by  people  of  this  part  of  Salem  and  Cort- 
landt's manor  in  conjunction,  and  this  congregation  is  larger 
than  either  of  those  in  Connecticut,  there  being  generally  in 
good  weather  in  the  Summer  season,  upwards  of  two  hundred 
people  assembled.  The  church,  which  I  expect  will  soon  be 
built  in  Salem,  will  be  about  five  or  six  miles  further  to  the  north- 
ward, and  about  two  or  three  miles  to  the  westward  from  Ridge- 
field  church,  where  I  have  been  informed  there  are  near  thirty- 
families  of  Church  people,  besides  a  considerable  number  in 
places  very  contiguous,  for  whom  it  is  extremely  difficult  to 
attend  public  worship,  either  at  Ridgefield,  or  at  the  church  to- 
wards the  north  end  of  Salem,  on  the  borders  of  Cortlandt's 
manor,  where  I  reside.  When  this  church  is  built,  (if  the  Society 
approves  of  my  officiating  in  it  sometimes,  besides  my  atten- 
dance at  the  other  three  churches,)  I  would  request  the  favor  of 
the  Society,  to  give  a  quarto  common  Prayer  Book  and  Bible  to 
this,  as  they  have  to  the  other  churches  of  Salem  and  Ridge, 
bury."  In  his  report  for  1771,  he  informs  the  Society.  "  that  the 
fourth  church  in  his  mission  is  now  building."  This  edifice 
was  probably  completed  and  opened  for  divine  service  in  the 
Fall  of  1771,  for  the  next  year  Mr.  Townsend  reported  to  the 
Society,  "  that  his  congregations  were  increasing."  At  an  early 
period,  perhaps  before  the  erection  of  the  church,  Mr.  James 
Browna  of  Norwalk,  made  a  liberal  benefaction  of  one  hundred 
acres  of  land  in  Salem  for  the  support  of  a  minister  of  the 
Church  of  England.     But  the  intention  of  the  donor  appears  to 


■  Tho  will  of  James  Brown  of  Norwalk,  bears  date  31st  of  July,  1766.  To  his 
son  James  he  devises  the  dwelling  house  he  now  lives  in  at  Salem,  and  "  all  the  lauds 
that  I  have,  which  lyeth  north  of  the  road  leading  from  Ridgefield  to  Bedford,  which 
Iyeth  south  of  tho  pond  called  Loug  pond,  &c."  This  will  was  proved  on  the  7th  of 
March,  1769. — Probate  office,  Fairfield,  Conn. 


61»  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

have  been  sadly  perverted,  as  this  gift  has  never  been  realized 
by  the  parish. 

The  Society's  abstract  for  1775,  says  :— "  That  Mr.  Townsend 
is  constant  in  the  performance  of  his  duty  in  his  own  parish, 
and  preaches  frequently  in  the  parts  adjacent."  Mr.  Townsend 
continued  the  services  of  the  Church,  within  his  mission,  until 
the  Summer  of  1776,  when  the  worship  of  God  was  suspended 
and  the  churches  closed.  Subsequently  the  parish  church  was 
used  as  an  hospital,  and  on  one  or  two  occasions  sermons  were  de- 
livered therein  to  the  American  troops.  This  edifice  stood  directly 
opposite  the  cross  roads  leading  from  South  Salem  to  Ridgefield, 
upon  the  land  of  the  late  Jeremiah  Keeler,  whose  father  sold 
the  lot  to  the  trustees.  Mr.  Keeler,  who  died  1853,  (at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  93)  remembered  its  erection  in  1771.  He 
described  it  as  a  large  and  convenient  building,  constructed  of 
the  very  best  oak  timber.  Its  first  trustees  are  said  to  have 
been  Gershom  Sellick,  James  Brown  and  others. 

Some  of  the  most  active  members  of  the  parish  having  joined 
the  army  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  it  was  found 
absolutely  necessary  to  dispose  of  the  church  and  lot  to  satisfy 
the  claims  of  the  contractor,  Mr.  Benjamin  Chapman.  This 
individual  subsequently  purchased  both  of  the  trustees,  and 
converted  the  former  into  a  tavern.  For  many  years  after  the 
war,  it  was  known  as  the  "  Church  Tavern."  The  lot  still  goes 
by  the  name  of  Chapman's  garden  and  meadow.  Mr.  Chapman 
afterwards  sold  the  property  to  John  L.  Moorehouse,  from  whom 
it  passed  to  the  late  Jeremiah  Keeler,a  who  in  1796  dismantled 
the  building  and  removed  the  materials. 

a  la  the  possession  ,of  the  Keeler  family  is  the  following  deed  for  the  church  lot : 
"  14th  of  March,  1796,  between  John  Lewis  Moorehouse  of  Charlton,  in  the  County 
of  Saratoga,  to  Jeremiah  Keeler,  all  those  certain  parts,  pieces  and  parcels  of  land 
situated  and  lying  in  the  town  of  Salem,  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  &c.  on  the 
north  side  of  the  road  leading  from  Ridgefield  to  Bedford,  opposite  to  the  road  leading 
from  the  south  part  of  said  Salem  to  the  north  part  of  the  same,  and  is  bounded  as 
followeth,  viz  :  beginning  at  the  said  Bedford  read  at  a  stake  and  stones,  around  the  same, 
and  thence  runs  northerly  six  rods  to  a  stake  with  stones ;  thence  easterly  by  said 
Bedford  road  so  far  as  that  a  line  of  equal  length  to  and  parallel  with  stones,  &c." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  SOUTH  SALEM.  613 

The  first  notice  of  this  parish,  subsequent  to  the  Revolution, 
■occurs  in  the  minutes  of  the  Diocesan  Convention  held  in  New- 
York,  Oct.  3d,  1810,  when  "on  motion,  it  was  resolved,  that  the 
delegates  from  the  Episcopal  Church  of  South  Salem  (of  the  in- 
corporation of  which,  the  Convention  has  no  legal  evidence)  be 
admitted  to  honorary  seats.  Mr.  Henry  Hoyt,  delegate  from 
said  Church  was  accordingly  admitted  to  an  honorary  seat." 

The  earliest  record  of  the  proceedings  of  the  vestry,  is  dated 
Monday,  15th  of  October,  1810.  The  officers  then  chosen,  ac- 
cording to  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  1795,  were  the  following: 
Augustus  Mc  Carroll  and  William  Sherwood,  churchwardens. 
Henry  Hoyt,  Gould  Bouton,  Jesse  Jarvis,  Samuel  B.  Isaacs,  Sam- 
uel Ambler,  Joseph  Nash,  Absalom  Holmes  and  James  Church, 
vestrymen.  On  the  19th  of  May,  1811,  the  Church  was  incor- 
porated under  the  style  of  "  The  churchwardens  and  vestry- 
men of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  Salem." 

At  this  period  the 

REV.  NATHAN  FELCH, 

was  officiating  minister.     In  1810,  he  reported  to  the  Conven- 
tion :— "  That  a  new  Episcopal  Church  had  been  incorporated  in 
South  Salem.     Their  prospect  is  truly  pleasing  at  present." 
In  1815, 

MR.  GEORGE  WELLER.  A.  M. 

was  licensed  as  a  lay  reader  for  Bedford  and  South  Salem.  The 
same  year  he  makes  report  to  the  Convention  : — "  That  in  South 
Salem,  the  present  number  of  communicants  is  ten,  of  which 
three  were  added  within  the  past  year.  Baptisms,  within  the 
past  year,  seven,  of  which  one  was  an  adult.  The  congrega- 
tion is  small,  say  fourteen  or  fifteen  families,  and  cannot  be 
said  to  have  increased  much  within  the  year  past." 

In  1816,  the  Rev.  George  Weller,  missionary  in  Westchester 
and   Putnam   Counties,   v/rites    to   the  Bishop  as    follows : — 


614  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

"  Since  my  ordination,  I  have  been  engaged  two-thirds  of  my 
time  at  Bedford,  and  one-third  at  North  Salem,  &c.  I  have  per- 
formed divine  service  and  preached  twice  in  South  Salem,  and 
ntend  occasionally  to  preach  lectures  in  that  town.  Being  cen- 
trally situated,  their  communicants  unite  with  us  at  Bedford  and 
North  Salem.     Number  of  communicants,  8." 

For  a  number  of  years  after  this  date  no  Episcopal  services 
were  performed  in  the  parish  until  1852,  when  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Harris,  Partridge  and  Vermilye  entered  into  an  arrange- 
ment by  which  they  were  enabled,  besides  their  regular  services 
every  Sunday  at  "White  Plains,  Bedford,  North  Castle  and  New 
Castle,  to  conduct  services  here  once  a  fortnight.  By  their  efforts 
a  good  congregation  was  gathered,  and  the  parish  reorganized 
under  the  name  and  title  of  "  St.  John's  Church,  South  Salem."  At 
the  first  meeting  of  the  congregation,  held  16th  of  August,  1852, 
the  following  gentlemen  were  chosen  officers  :  Jonathan  Beers 
and  Isaac  Hayes,  churchwardens.  Stephen  Lewis  Hoyt,  Amos 
N.  Raymond,  Samuel  Field,  Timothy  Jones,  William  H.  Robin- 
Son,  Ferris  Bouton,  William  Lockwood  and  John  B.  Whitlock, 
Jr.  vestrymen. a  Exertions  were  at  once  made  to  rebuild  the 
church,  a  lot,  six  rods  square,  in  the  village  of  South  Salem, 
having  been  given  for  that  purpose  by  Mr.  Stephen  L.  Hoyt.  In 
1853,  a  neat  stone  edifice,  thirty  feet  by  forty-eight,  was  erected, 
with  a  tower  thirty-six  feet  high,  the  probable  cost  of  which? 
is  two  thousand  dollars.  Prior  to  its  erection  services  had  been 
held  in  the  open  air  (as  no  building  could  be  obtained)  with  a 
congregation  of  about  two  hundred  persons. 

The  Rev.  Alfred  H.  Partridge  is  the  present  incumbent. 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

A.  D.  1759,  Communicants  39,        Baptisms  — 
1815,  «  10,  «  7. 

In  1782,  the  population  of  Salem  was  912. 
In  1840,        "  "  «        1,619. 

In  1850,        "  "  «       1,609. 

*  Tuesday  in  Easter  week,  was  fixed  for  the  day  of  annual  election. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OF 


BEDFORD. 


Bedford,  which  originally  constituted  one  of  the  three  districts 
of  Rye  parish,  was  at  first  called  u  the  hop  ground,"  on  account 
of  its  natural  product.  It  was  also  emphatically  styled  by  the 
early  planters  "  Catonah's  land,"  after  the  Indian  chief  and  pro- 
prietor of  that  name  ;  hence  we  deduce  the  origin  of  the  present 
local  term  "  Canlitoe,"  which  yet  survives  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  parish,  the  termination  "  oe"  denoting  the  place  of  that 
sachem's  residence. 

Upon  the  23d  of  December,  1680,  Katonah,  Sagamore  and 
other  Indians,  sold  to  Richard  Ambler  and  his  associates,  a  cer- 
tain parcel  of  uplands  and  meadows  commonly  called  and  known 
by  the  name  of  the  "  hop  grounds."  The  same  year  the  proprie- 
tors of  the  "  hop  grounds"  (then  residing  in  Stamford,)  appointed 
a  committee,  "  for  the  purpose  of  laying  out  a  town  spot,  home 
lots,  and  a  town  common  field  or  park."  At  this  period  the  "  hop 
ground"  formed  a  part  of  Stamford  township,  within  Fairfield 
County,  and  was  therefore  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Connecti- 


616  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

cut.a  In  1681  the  General  Court  of  that  Colony  ordered  the 
laying  out  of  a  plantation  at  the  "  hop  ground." 

Upon  the  11th  of  May,  1682,  the  same  authority  directed  that 
the  name  of  the  plantation  be  henceforth  called  Bedford,  and  "  did 
empower  Abraham  Ambler  to  join  persons  in  marriage  accord- 
ing to  law,  &c." 

The  proprietors  of  the  "  hop  ground"  appear  to  have  made 
early  provision  for  the  erection  of  a  meeting  house  and  sup- 
Port  of  a  minister,  for  in  1680,  "  it  was  agreed,  that  a  meeting 
house  should  be  erected  on  the  commons."  In  1681,  the  Gene- 
ral Court  instructed  the  committee,  who  were  to  lay  out  a  plan- 
tation at  the  "hop  ground"  : — "  To  take  care  that  there  should  be 
a  suitable  lot  laid  out  for  the  minister  of  the  place,  and  a  lot 
for  the  minister  forever."  Upon  the  8th  of  December,  1681,  the 
proprietors  agreed  to  give  Mr.  Prudden  a  call  to  be  their  minis- 
ter. In  1688,  Mr.  Thomas  Denham  must  have  been  settled 
here,  for  on  the  28th  of  January  of  that  year,  the  town  ordered 
£20  to  be  raised  and  collected  for  his  salary. 

September  23d,  16S9,  the  town  by  vote  agreed  that : — "  In  case 
Mr.  Abraham  Ambler,  Sen.  will  come  up  and  live  at  Bedford, 
and  carry  on  the  Sabbath  as  God  shall  enable  him,  we  will  give 
unto  him  the  sum  of  £20  a  year,  so  long  as  he  shall  perform 
the  work  among  us."  The  following  month,  (October  15th,)  it 
was  agreed  to  build  Mr.  Abraham  Ambler  a  frame  house,  forty 
feet  by  twenty-two.  Upon  the  16th  of  December,  1692,  "  David 
Mead  was  chosen  by  the  town,  to  keep  the  town  drum,  to  keep 
it  in  repair  and  to  beat  it  when  necessary,  and  to  be  allowed 
ten  shillings  yearly."  Prior  to  the  use  of  Bells  in  New  Eng- 
land, the  meetings  were  summoned  by  beat  of  drum,  or  the  blow- 
ing of  the  conch  shell :  to  this  practice  the  poet  alludes  i — 


*  Although  Connecticut  gave  up  Bedford  by  an  arrangement  in  1683,  it  was  not 
until  1700  that  the  settlement  was  attached  to  New  York  by  order  of  King 
William. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  BEDFORD.  617 

"New  England's  Sabbath  day, 
Is  heaven-like,  still  and  pure, 
Then  Israel  walks  the  way, 
Up  to  the  Temple's  door ; 
The  time  we  tell, 
When  there  to  come, 
By  beat  of  drum 
Or  sounding  shell." 

By  an  act  of  the  New  York  Provincial  Assembly,  passd  24th 
of  March,  1693,  (confirmed  A.  D.  1697.)  Bedford  was  annexed 
to  the  parish  of  Rye.  It  appears,  however,  that  both  Rye  and 
Bedford  endeavoured  for  a  time  to  avoid  its  provisions,  by  de- 
claring themselves  seperate  from  New  York,  notwithstanding 
the  agreement  of  1683,  by  which  they  had  been  surrendered 
to  that  Province.  Accordingly,  in  January,  1697,  they  applied 
to  be  admitted  to  Connecticut  :  upon  which  that  Colony  con- 
cluded to  receive  them.  But  three  years  later,  King  William 
the  Third  gave  his  approbation  and  confirmation  to]  the  settle- 
ment of  1683,  whereby  they  were  once  more  included  in  New 
York. 

Under  the  act  of  1693,  the  ministry  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land was  established  throughout  the  Province  and  became  there- 
fore entitled  to  the  public  encouragement,  leaving  the  Dissenters 
at  liberty  to  maintain  a  minister  of  their  own  persuasion,  but 
obliging  them  to  support  the  established  clergyman.  In  conse- 
quence all  lands  set  aside  at  public  town  meetings,  for  the  pro- 
vision of  a  minister,  all  glebes  voted  for  their  habitation  and 
maintainance,  and  all  meeting  houses  raised  by  public  tax  or 
distress  on  the  people,  became  vested  in  the  ministry  established 
by  law. 

Pursuant  to  the  act  of  Assembly,  a  town  meeting  was  held 
at  Rye,  February  28th,  1695,  when  Deliverance  Brown  and 
Isaac  Denham  were  chosen  vestrymen  for  Bedford.  In  1711, 
this  precinct  paid  towards  the  rector's  support  and  poor  of  the 
parish  £5  5s. 

On  the  19th  of  October,  1694,  the  town  agreed  to  buy  a  house 
and  lot  of  John  Ambler  for  a  parsonage,  provided  his  price  did 


618  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

not  exceed  £35.  In  1698,  the  town  voted  that  every  man 
should  pay  three  pence  per  acre  for  all  the  land  he  had,  for  the 
support  of  a  minister.  Upon  the  9th  of  January,  1699,  the  in- 
habitants requested  the  ministers  in  the  County  to  inform  them 
where  they  could  procure  a  minister ;  at  the  same  time  offering 
forty  acres  of  land  and  £30  in  current  provision  as  his  pay. 
On  the  26th  of  December,  1699,  (nearly  a  year  after  the  forego- 
ing request)  the  town  agreed  with  Mr.  Joseph  Morgan,  minister, 
as  follows,  viz  :  first,  to  give  him  the  use  of  the  parsonage,  on 
condition  he  stays  three  years  ;  secondly,  to  build  him  a  two 
story  house,  twenty-seven  feet  by  twenty,  to  belong  to  his  heirs 
if  he  die  in  the  town  ;  if  he  removes,  he  shall  pay  the  town 
the  expense  of  building  the  house ;  third,  to  give  him  the 
first  year  £40,  and  plant  and  manure  forty  acres  for  hiin,  and 
after  the  first  year  to  give  him  £20,  and  to  raise  ten  acres  of 
winter  grain  for  him  yearly,  to  cut  and  cart  his  fire  wood,  and 
transport  himself  and  family  to  Bedford  free  of  expense.  In  a 
summary  account  of  the  state  of  the  Church  in  the  Province  of 
New  York,  as  it  was  laid  before  the  clergy,  convened  at  New 
York,  October  5th,  1704,  it  is  therein  stated  that : — "  There  is 
an  Independent  church  at  Bedford,  where  the  minister  designs 
to  have  them ;  they  are  well  affected  to  the  Church,  and  it 
is  hoped  when  he  is  gone  theywill  be  in  communion  with  her." 

It  appears  however,  that  some  ol  the  inhabitants  were  still  de- 
termined to  free  themselves  from  New  York  in  the  ministry,  for 
upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Morgan,  they  called  a  Mr.  John 
Jones,  and  in  direct  violation  of  the  law,  voted  him  a  parcel  of 
land,  bought  by  the  town  of  Bedford,  to  be  laid  apart  for  a  minis- 
ter for  the  said  town. 

From  the  first  report  issued  by  the  Society  for  the  Propaga- 
tion of  the  Gospel  in  1704,  we  learn  : — "  That  since  their  incor- 
poration, June  the  10th,  1701,  they  had  appointed  the 

REV.  ALEXANDER  STUART, 

missionary  at  Bedford,  with  a  salary  of  £50  per  annum,  besides 
two  sums  of  £20  and  £15  for  books." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  BEDFORD.  619 

To  this  appointment  Mr.  Pritchard  (who  was  inducted  into 
the  rectory  of  Rye  in  1704)  thus  alludes  in  a  letter  to  the  Secre- 
tary : — "  I  perceive  by  the  account  of  the  Society,  that  one  Mr. 
Stuart  is  recommended  to  Bedford,  and  £50  per  annum  allowed 
him  ;  whereas  Bedford  is  a  part  of  my  parish,  as  settled  by  an  act 
of  Assembly,  so  that  he  can't  be  inducted  there.  Hoping  therefore, 
that  the  Society  will  be  so  condescendingly  pleased  to  allow  it 
me,  as  also  to  send  per  next  conveniency,  the  £15  worth  of 
books,  of  which  mention  is  made  in  the  account.  The  Society 
would  do  very  well,  if  in  their  great  wisdom  they  think  it  fit,  to 
recommend  Mr.  Stuart  to  Hempstead,  upon  Long  Island,  where 
they  stand  very  much  in  need  of  a  minister." 

The  following  extracts  from  affidavits,  (in  the  Secretary  of 
State's  office)  show  very  plainly  however,  that  every  effort,  strat- 
agem and  threat  was  made  by  the  Dissenters,  to  prevent  Mr. 
Pritchard's  taking  possession  of  this  portion  of  his  benefice  : — 

"  Benjamin  Wright  of  Bedford  in  the  County  of  Westchester,  yeoman,  aged  22 
years  or  thereabouts,  being  sworn  before  Thomas  Wenham,  Esq.,  one  of  the  gents 
of  her  Majesties  Council  for  ye  Province  of  New  York,  and  one  of  ye  Judges  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Judicature  for  the  said  Province,  saith,  that  since  Mr.  Pritchard 
has  been  appointed  minister  of  ye  towns  of  Rye  and  Bedford,  in  the  County  of 
Westchester,  this  deponent  has  endeavoured  to  prevaile  with  the  inhabitants  of  Bed- 
ford to  encourage  the  said  Mr.  Pritchard  to  preach  and  perform  the  duties  of  divine 
worship  as  used  in  the  Church  of  England  among  them,  whereupon  the  inhabitants 
of  ye  said  town  of  Bedford,  became  so  incensed  that  by  their  ill-treatment  and 
threats,  they  have  forced  this  deponent  to  remove  with  his  family  from  thence,  and 
deterred  the  members  of  ye  said  Church  from  speaking  anything  in  its  favor.  And 
this  deponent  further  saith,  that  one  Zachariah  Roberts  of  Bedford,  a  Justice  of  Peace 
in  ye  said  County  of  Westchester,  went  to  the  inhabitants  of  ye  said  town  to  pre- 
vail with  them  to  sign  an  instrument  or  writing  whereby  to  oblige  them  not  to  pay  ye 
said  minister  anything,  and  likewise  that  the  said  Zachariah  Roberts  at  a  town 
meeting,  called  by  him  for  that  purpose,  got  such  an  act  of  the  town  passed  accord- 
ingly, which  act  this  deponent  saw,  being  presented  to  the  view  of  the  persons  there 
presentb  y  ye  said  Zachariah  Roberts,  which  town  act  the  said  Zachariah  Roberts 
afterwards  burnt,  and  this  deponent  believes  that  he  cut  it  out  of  the  records  or  books 
of  ye  said  town.  And  the  deponent  further  saith  that  the  said  Zachariah  Roberts 
hath  refused  (tho'  a  Justice  of  Peace)  to  take  any  affidavits  in  behalf  of  ye  Church 
of  England,  the  Queen  and  this  Government,  and  when  persons  have  offered  to 
make  such  affidavits  he  has  said  lie  would  take  none  against  his  neighbours  and 
himself,  and  that  they  might  tell  my  Lord  so,  &  c.     Tho  rancour  and  malice  of  said 


620  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

Justice  Roberts  being  so  violent  that  this  deponent  has  been  told  by  the  said  Roberts' 
wife,  that  she  dares  not  so  much  as  mention  the  name  of  Mr.  Pritchard  or 
any  other  Church  of  England-man  for  fear  of  her  husband's  passion.  And  this 
deponent  further  saith,  that  he  hath  been  told  by  the  said  Justice  Roberts'  wife,  that 
her  husband  has  razed  or  altered  the  records  of  ye  said  town,  by  striking  out  the 
name  of  one  Thomas  Howard  in  an  assignment  of  a  bill  of  sale,  and  putting  his 
own  name  on  in  the  room  of  it.  And  this  deponend  further  saith,  that  he  hath  been 
informed  that  there  was  formerly  a  parcel  of  land  bought  by  the  said  town  of  Bed- 
ford, to  be  laid  apart  for  a  minister  for  the  said  town,  which  said  parcel  of  land  was 
within  a  year  last  past  given  at  a  town  meeting  to  one  John  Jones,  a  Dissenting 
minister  in  the  said  town  for  an  encouragement  to  him,  to  settle  and  preach  among 
thern." 

"  John  Thomson  of  Bedford,  in  ye  County  of  "Westchester,  gentleman,  aged  40 
years  and  upwards,  being  sworn  before  Thomas  Wenham,  &c,  saith,  that  there  hav- 
ing been  no  divine  service  according  to  ye  ceremonies  and  usages  of  the  Church  of 
England,  in  the  said  town  of  Bedford,  the  said  deponent  hath  often  gone  to  the  Dis- 
senting meeting  in  that  town,  where  he  hath  heard  one  John  Jones,  the  minister  of 
ye  Dissenting  Congregation,  preach,  and  hath  heard  him  frequently  in  a  very  bitter 
and  inveterate  manuer  reflect  upon  the  present  Constitution  and  Government  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  particularly  this  deponent  heard  him  say,  that  he  cared  not 
for  the  said  Church  of  England,  and  that  in  his  sermon  he  used,  to  the  best  of  this 
deponent's  memory,  these  words,  viz :  come  out  of  her  (meaning  ye  Church  of  Eng- 
land) my  people  lest  ye  partake  of  her  plagues,  comparing  likewise  the  said  Church  to 
ye  Church  of  Rome,  and  saying  at  other  times,  likewise  in  his  sermon  to  his  congre- 
gation, ye  are  in  a  dangerous  government,  where  they  do  not  pray  nor  serve  God. 
and  that  he  would  preach  reprobation  in  defiance  of  principalities  and  powers,  and 
that  ye,  speaking  to  his  congregation,  may  tell  'em  so  at  York,  for  yt  he  did  not  care 
for  my  Lord — and  this  deponent  further  saith,  that  being  one  day  with  the  said  Mr. 
Jones  at  the  house  of  one  Zachariah  Roberts,  at  Bedford  aforesaid,  this  deponent 
heard  the  said  John  Jones  say,  he  would  burn  the  Church  of  England  books,  &c. 

The  two  preceeding  depositions  were  read  in  Council,  May  8th,  1705.  Messrs 
Roberts  and  Jones  failing  to  give  satisfactory  explanations  thereof,  were  bound  over 
to  answer  in  the  Supreme  Court.     (Couucil  Minutes.1) 

The  Rev.  George  Muirson  in  one  of  his  earliest  reports  to  the 
Venerable  Society  says : — u  Rye  is  a  large  parish,  the  towns 
are  far  distant,  the  people  were  some  Quakers,  but  chiefly 
Presbyterians  and  Independents.  They  were  violently  set  against 
our  Church,  but  now  blessed   be  God,  they  comply  heartily. 


•  Doc.  Hist,  of  New  York,  vol.  iii.  933-5. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  BEDFORD.  621 

I  find  that  catechising  on  the  week  days  in  the  remote  towns 
and  frequent  visiting  is  of  great  service." 

The  quota  furnished  by  this  division  towards  the 
rector's  tax  in  1725,  was  £16  2s.  Mr.  Wetmore  writing 
to  the  Society  in  February,  1728,  says : — "  That  there  are  three 
meeting  houses  in  the  parish,  one  at  Bedford,  built  for  and  used 
by  the  Presbyterians,  &c.  They  have  had  a  Presbyterian 
minister,  they  gave  him  a  house  and  farm  to  work  upon,  and 
£40  per  annum,  but  finding  it  not  sufficient  to  support  him  with 
a  numerous  family,  he  has  left  them,  and  they  have  now  settled 
another  young  man  to  whom  they  give  the  same  allowance. 
There  are  at  Bedford  about  eight  or  ten  families  of  the  Church, 
and  the  rest  Presbyterians  or  Independents." 

"  The  Dissenting  teachers  "  officiate  without  qualifying  them- 
selves according  to  the  Act  of  Toleration,  so  that  people  are  sup- 
posed to  do  and  say  what  they  please  about  religion,  under  a 
notion,  that  the  laws  of  England  relating  to  religion  don't  extend 
to  the  Plantations."  In  1731,  he  writes: — "That  the  people  of 
Bedford,  who  are  most  rigid  and  severe  of  all,  came  very  gener- 
ally to  Church,  when  I  was  last  among  them,  and  many  that 
never  before  were  at  Church."  Again  in  1744,  he  informs  the 
Society  : — "  That  at  Bedford  and  North  Castle  there  were  four 
hundred  families  belonging  to  the  cure,  &c."  The  same  year 
the  parishioners  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Society  : — 

PARISH  OF  RYE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 

"Province  of  New  York,  Bedford,  March  6lh,  1744. 
Rev.  Sir, 
The  parish  of  Rye  includes  the  large  town  of  Rye,  the  town 
of  Mamaroneck,  the  manor  of  Scarsdale,  and  a  precinct  called 
White  Plains,  besides  Bedford  and  North  Castle,  in  which  two 
last  places  are  near  four  hundred  families,  and  no  teacher  of  any 
sort  in  North  Castle,  but  a  silly  Quaker-woman,  and  at  Bedford 
one  of  the  most  enthusiastic  Methodists.  Mr.  Wetmore  comes 
amongst  us  but  once  in  two  months,  and  very  few  of  us  can  go 


622  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

to  the  parish  church  at  Rye,  many  living  twenty  miles  distant, 
and  most  of  us  twelve  or  fourteen  miles,  so  that  for  the  most 
part  there  is  very  lktle  face  of  religion  to  be  seen  amongst  us, 
and  our  children  are  apt  to  fall  in  with  the  customs  of  those 
amongst  us  that  have  little  or  no  religion,  and  spend  the  Lord's 
day  in  diversions  and  follies,  which  we  cannot  prevent  tho'  we 
much  dislike.  Mr.  Wetmore,  our  minister,  freely  consents  we 
should  endeavour  to  procure  another  as  an  assistant  to  him,  and 
we  are  willing  to  contribute  as  far  as  we  are  able. 
Reverend  Sir, 
Your  most  obed't  and  humble  servants, 

Lewis  McDonald, 
Daniel  Smith, 
Arthur  Smith."4 
In  answer  to  this  application,  the 

REV.  JOSEPH  LAMSON,  A.   M. 

was  appointed  assistant  to  Mr.  Wetmore  in  officiating  to  the  in- 
habitants of  Bedford,  North  Castle  and  Ridgefield.  In  his  first 
report  to  the  Society,  he  writes  : — •"  That  he  officiates  by  turns 
at  these  three  places  to  full  congregations."  But  his  income 
proved  too  small  for  his  support,  and  he  removed  by  the  Society's 
permission  to  Fairfield  in  1747.  In  Mr.  Wetmore's  report  for 
1753.  he  acquaints  the  Society,  "  that  his  congregation  at  Bedford 
is  large  and  flourishing,  and  that  the  disposition  of  those  that 
opposed  the  interest  of  the  Church  in  that  place  seems  changed 
for  the  better.  The  New  Light  minister  is  removed  from  Bed- 
ford, and  there  are  some  hopes  of  the  people  uniting  with  North 
Castle  towards  supporting  a  minister  in  the  Holy  Orders  of  our 
Church,  to  officiate  alternately  among  them."  And  it  clearly 
appears  from  his  subsequent  reports  to  the  Society,  that  this  pre- 
cinct continued,  upon  the  whole,  in  a  state  of  gradual  improve- 
ment until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  took  place  in  May,  1760. 


aNew  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham.  (Hawks.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  BEDFORD.  623 

In  the  Spring  of  1762,  the  precincts  of  Bedford  and  North 
Castle  were  visited  by  the  Rev.  George  Dibble  and  Mr.  St.  George 
Talbot.  Here  the  former  preached  and  baptized  several  chil- 
dren. At  this  time  there  appears  to  have  been  several  families, 
professors  of  the  Church  of  England.  Mr.  Talbot  subsequently- 
devised  in  trust  the  sum  of  £600  "for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the 
Churches  of  North  Castle  and  Bedford."  Out  of  this  bequest 
the  united  parishes  in  1803  recovered  the  amount  of  twenty- 
five  hundred  dollars.  Mr.  Punderson,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Wet- 
more  in  1762,  died  A.  D.  1764,  and  was  followed  by  the  Rev. 
Ephraim  Avery  in  1765. 

From  this  period  nothing  worthy  of  especial  importance  ap- 
pears in  the  Society's  reports  relative  to  Bedford.  Mr.  Avery's 
death  took  place  soon  after  the  exciting  scenes  of  the  Revolution 
had  commenced,  and  during  the  subsequent  years  the  whole 
parish  of  Rye  suffered  considerably  from  the  confusion  that  at- 
tended the  Revolutionary  war.  The  parochial  church  was  des- 
troyed by  fire,  and  the  parishioners  dispersed  in  every  direction. 
Upon  the  19th  of  April,  1789,  the  present  parish  was  i&impo- 
rated.  under  the  title  of  "  the  Trustees  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  in  the  townships  of  Bedford  and  North  Castle." 
In  consequence  however  of  the  act  of  1795,  it  was  again  organized 
under  the  name  and  title  of  "  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
in  the  united  towns  of  Bedford  and  North  Castle,  to  continue  by 
the  regular  name  of  St.  George's  Church. "a 

The 

REV.   THEODOSIUS  BARTOW 

appears  to  have  been  officiating  here  as  minister  of  the  united 
parishes  in  1796.  At  a  vestry  meeting  held  on  the  3d 
of  March,  1803,  it  was  resolved: — "To  purchase  a  certain 
house  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Bedford,  at  the  price  of  sixteen 
hundred  and  twenty-five  dollars,  for  a  glebe  and  parsonage." 

■  See  Parish  of  New  Castle. 


624  HISTORY  OF  THE   PARISH 

The  purchase  was  subsequently  made,  and  a  new  parsonage 
erected  thereon  in  1 822.  In  1805,  the  Corporation  of  Trinity- 
Church,  New  York,  liberally  endowed  the  united  Churches  of 
Bedford  and  North  Castle  with  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars, 
also  in  1508,  the  further  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars. 

At  this  period,  "  it  being  in  the  vestry's  opinion  expedient  to 
call  and  settle  a  minister  without  further  delay,  the  Episcopa- 
lians of  North  Salem  and  Stephentown  joined  with  Bedford  in 
endeavouring  to  effect  it.  It  was  agreed  between  them.  "  that 
the  minister  should  perform  divine  service  in  the  different  towns 
of  Bedford,  New  Castle,  North  Castle  and  Stephentown,  so 
often  as  should  be  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  their  annual 
subscriptions."  In  all  these  places  Churchmen  manifested, 
the  sincerity  of  their  professions  by  subscribing  liberally  to  the 
support  of  a  minister. 

Upon  the  30th  of  July,  1804,  the  vestry  called  the 

REV.  GEORGE  STREBECK 

as  rector  of  the  united  Churches.  He  officiated  in  Bedford  and 
its  vicinity  from  August,  1804,  to  March,  1805,  when  he  resigned, 
and  accepted  the  rectorship  of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  New  York- 
At  a  vestry  meeting  held  on  the  8th  of  December,  1806,  it  was  re- 
solved, "  that  the  residue  of  the  bequest  of  St.  George  Talbot, 
be  appropriated  towards  defraying  the  cost  of  building  a  church 
at  Bedford." 
In  1809,  the 

REV.  NATHAN  FELCH 

was  called  as  minister  of  the  united  parishes.  The  next 
year  he  reported  to  the  Diocesan  Convention  : — "  That  the  Epis- 
copal Church  in  Bedford  is  in  a  very  flourishing  state ;  the  con- 
gregation is  numerous,  respectable  and  devout ;  an  attachment 
to  all  the  rites  and  forms  of  the  Church  is  continually  increas- 
ing among  them  ;  and  as  this  attachment  increases,  so  venera- 
tion for,  and  delight  in  sober,  rational  and  scriptural  piety  and 
virtue  inrceases." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  BEDFORD.  625 

Mr.  Felch  resigned  his  charge  in  1813,  and  was  succeeded  by 
the 

REV.  GEORGE  WELLER,  A.  M.a 

in  1816.  The  same  year  he  writes  to  the  Bishop  as  follows  : — 
"Since  my  ordination,  I  have  been  engaged  two-thirds  of  my 
time  at  Bedford,  and  one-third  at  North  Salem.  Durino-  this 
time  both  congregations  have  been  enlarged.  With  the  increase 
of  members,  I  think  there  has  also  been  an  increase  of  seriousness 
and  devout  attention  to  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel.  In  Bed- 
ford the  Lord's  Supper  has  not  been  administered  since  my  ordi- 
nation. Since  the  last  Convention  however,  three  communicants 
have  been  added,  and  one  died,  making  the  present  number  to 
be  twenty-six.  At  the  next  administration  there  will  probably  be 
several  added  to  this  number. 

Since  the  last  Convention  there  has  been  one  adult  and 
fourteen  children  baptized,  eight  of  whom  were  baptized  by  my- 
self, and  the  others  by  visiting  clergymen  in  the  course  of  the 
year."  Mr.  Weller  resigned  in  1817,  for  whose  successors  see 
list  of  rectors  and  ministers. 

THE  CHURCH. 

St.  Matthew's  church  is  situated  in  the  northern  part  of  a 
small  scattered  hamlet,  about  half  a  mile  north  of  the  village  of 
Bedford.  It  is  a  neat  structure  of  brick,  erected  in  1807,  and 
consecrated  the  same  year  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Benjamin  Moore, 
D.  D.  In  1839  it  was  thoroughly  repaired  and  the  pews  re- 
modelled. 

The  communion  silver  was  the  united  gift  of  Mrs.  Banyar 
and  Anne  Jay,  (daughters  of  the  late  Hon.  John  Jay,  Chief 
Justice  of  the  United  States)  on  the  29th  of  October,  1810.  The 
service  books  were  presented  by  Mrs.  Ann  Raymond  of  Bedford. 


»  Mr.   Weller  was  engaged  as  a  lay  reader  from  the  15th  of  May,  1815,  until 
June  16th|  ldlG,  when  he  was  ordained  Deacon. 

40 


626  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

MINISTERS  AND  RECTORS   OF  BEDFORD. 

INST.  OR  CALL.  INCUMBENTS.  VACAT.  BY. 

1704,  Rev.  Alexander  Stuart,  A.  M.,  Clericus,  resig. 
18th  June,  1745,  Rev.  Joseph  Lamson,  A.  M.,  Clericus,  resig. 

1796,  Rev.  Theodosius  Bartow.  Presb.,  resig. 
30th  July,  1804,  Rev.  George  Strebeck,  Presb.  resig. 

1809,  Rev.  Nathan  Felch,  Deacon,  resig. 
16th  June,  1816,  Rev.  George  Weller,  A.  M.,  Deacon,  resig. 

1819,  Rev.  Samuel  Nicholls,  Presb.,  resig. 
12th  Aug.,  1838,  Rev.  Alfred  Partridge,  Presb.,  present  incumbent. 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 


1746, 

Communicants, — 

Baptisms,  14. 

1762, 

« 

— 

14. 

1810, 

K 

10, 

8. 

1815, 

[( 

24, 

«        19. 

1844, 

a 

% 

88. 

1853, 

a 

97, 

5. 

In  1712,  Bedford  contained  a  population  of  172. 

In  1728,  the  precinct  of  Bedford  contained  60  heads  of  fami- 
lies and  young  men  on  whom  the  tax  was  levied. 

In  1782,  Bedford  contained  1840  white  inhabitants. 

In  1840,  the  population  was  2822. 

In  1850,         "  «        3208. 

No.  of  families  belonging  to  the  parish  in  1853,  50.  No.  of 
souls  200. 

THE  SOCIETY'S  SCHOOLMASTERS  AT  BEDFORD 
AND  NORTH  CASTLE. 

TIME  OF  APP'T.  SCHOOLMASTERS.  SALARY. 

1728,  Flint  Dwight  £15  per  nnum. 

1745,  William  Sturgeon,  B.  A.  " 

No.  of  Catechists  in  1853,  4,  and  Catechumens,  30. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  BEDFORD. 


627 


To  this  parish  is  attached  St.  Mary's  church  in  the  middle 
patent  of  North  Castle,  which  was  incorporated  upon  the  29th 
of  December,  1S51,  Benjamin  Smith  and  Samuel  Brown,  church- 
wardens. William  Henry  Hobby,  William  Downes,  Samuel 
Lounsbury,  Oliver  B.  Finch,  Henry  Hobby,  Joseph  H.  Hobby, 
David  M.  Johnson  and  Henry  Downes,  vestrymen.  The  church 
edifice,  erected  in  1S53  at  a  cost  of  $1600,  was  consecrated  to 
the  service  of  Almighty  God,  on  the  22d  of  September  of  that 
year,  by  the  late  Rt.  Rev.  Jonathan  M.  Wainwright,  D.  D.  L.L.  D- 
At  present  services  are  performed  here  by  the  rector  of  Bedford 
every  Sunday  afternoon. 

Mr.  Partridge  has  also  organized  St.  Mark's  church,  Katonah. 
where  there  is  a  good  congregation  every  other  Sunday. 

At  Poundridge,  also  in  this  parish,  a  site  has  been  given  for  a 
church,  and  a  congregation  collected. 

In  1782  Poundridge  contained  833  white  inhabitants.  In 
1840,  the  population  was  1407.  In  1850,  the  population  was 
1492. 


St.  Matthew's  Church.  Bedford,  erected  A.  D.  1S07. 


HISTORY 


OF   THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OF 


MAMARONECK. 


The  etymology  of  the  name  of  this  parish,  doubtless,  refers 
like  most  other  Indian  words,  to  some  object  peculiar  to  its  geo- 
graphical locality.  The  syllable,  "  neck"  or  "  uck"  being  the 
ordinary  inflection  for  locality,  and  one  of  the  striking  character- 
istics of  Mohegan  names,  east  of  the  Hudson.  By  some  the  : 
word  is  supposed  to  indicate  "  the  place  of  rolling  stones,"  (boul- 
ders) which  abound  in  the  romantic  environs  of  Mamaroneck. 

The  lands  belonging  to  this  parish  were  originally  purchased 
of  the  native  Indians  by  the  Dutch  West  India  Company,  in 
1640.  Their  next  proprietor  was  John  Richbell,  of  Oyster  Bay; 
L.  I.,  who  obtained  a  confirmation  from  Wompoqueum  and  other 
Indians  in  November,  1661,  and  the  following  year  a  "  Ground 
Brief"  for  the  same,  from  the  Dutch  authorities. 

Prior  to  1700  Caleb  Heathcote  became  possessed  of  these  lands, 
having  purchased  those  in  1696  from  Mrs.  Anne  Richbell,  (which 
were  those  included  in  her  husband's  grant  of  1661)  and  from 
the  Indians  other  lands  adjoining  them. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MAMARONECK.         629 

Upcn  the  21st  of  March,  1701,  the  extensive  purchases  of 
Caleb  Heathcote  were  erected  into  the  lordship  and  manor  of 
Scarsdale,  to  be  holden  of  the  King  in  free  and  common  soccage, 
its  Lord  yielding  and  rendering  therefor,  annually,  upon  the 
Festival  of  the  Nativity,  five  pounds  current  money  of  New- 
York,  &c. 

The  name  of  Heathcote  stands  conspicuous  in  the  early  his- 
tory of  this  parish  ;  some  slight  notice  of  whose  family  cannot  be 
omitted,  connected  as  it  is,  with  almost  everything  relating 
to  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Church  in  this  County. — 
Caleb  Heathcote,  first  lord  of  the  manor  of  Scarsdale,  was  the 
sixth  son  of  Gilbert  Heathcote,  Esq,  in  the  county  of  Derbyshire, 
and  hundred  of  Scarsdale,  England,  "  who  went  (says  his  bio- 
grapher) in  the  reign  of  Charles  I,  into  the  Parliament's  army, 
and  there  behaved  himself  with  great  courage  and  bravery  in 
several  engagements  for  the  rights  and  liberties  of  his  country ;" 
and  grandson  of  Gilbert  Heathcote,  Esq.,  whose  father,  "  George 
was  the  son  and  heir  of  George  Heathcote  of  Brampton,  in  the 
County  of  Derby,  Esq.,  descended  of  an  ancient  and  worthy 
family  of  that  County."  He  was  born  at  Chesterfield,  A.  D. 
1663,  and  "  brought  up  a  '  merchant  adventurer,'  (as  shipping 
merchants  were  then  styled)  whereby  with  God's  blessing,  he 
obtained  both  influence  and  a  good  estate."  The  cause  of  his 
emigration  was  very  different  from  that  which  brought  most  Eng- 
lishmen to  America  ;  he  was  engaged  to  a  very  beautiful  lady,  to 
whom  he  introduced  his  eldest  brother,  Sir  Gilbert  Heathcote, 
(afterwards  M.  P.  for  London,  and  Lord  Mayor  of  that  city  in 
1711,  at  the  very  time  his  brother  was  Mayor  of  New  York,  and 
one  of  the  chief  founders  and  the  first  governor  of  the  bank  of  Eng- 
land,) a  circumstance  most  unfortunate  for  him,  for  the  lady  soon 
found  she  preferred  the  elder  brother,  and  broke  her  engagement 
with  the  younger,  who  at  once  left  England  and  came  to  New 
York,  where  he  arrived  in  1692.a 

»Doc.  Hist.  N.  Y.,  vol.  iv.  p.  1039. 


630  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

He  became  a  leading  man  in  the  Colony,  was  Judge  of 
Westchester,  and  Colonel  of  its  militia  all  his  life,  first  Mayor  of 
the  borough  of  Westchester,  a  Counsellor  of  the  Province,  Mayor 
of  New  York  for  three  years,  for  a  time  Commander  of  the  Col- 
ony's forces,  and  from  1715  to  his  death,  in  1721,  Receiver 
General  of  the  Customs  in  North  America."*  He  was  also  one 
of  the  founders  of  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  his  name  heads 
the  list  of  its  first  vestrymen  in  1697,  and  he  remained  in  office 
till  1714.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Venerable  Society 
for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  foreign  parts,  A.  D.  1704, 
and  embraced  every  opportunity  of  doing  service  to  the  Church, 
and  through  the  blessing  of  God,  never  slipped  one  fair  occasion 
therein,  when  the  Provincial  Government  would  give  him  leave. 
St.  George  Talbot,  Esq.  writing  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Venerable 
Society,  January  10th,  1707-8,  says  : — "  I  wish  the  report  were 
true,  that  he  (Caleb  Heathcote)  were  appointed  Governor, 
it  would  be  the  best  news  next  to  that  of  the  Gospel,  that 
ever  came  over."b  Some  time  prior  to  1704.  he  erected  a  stately 
brick  manor  house  in  the  village  of  Mamaroneck,  upon  what  is  still 
called  Heathcote  Hill,  where  he  continued  to  reside  for  the 
remainder  of  his  life.c  From  this  place  most  of  the  let- 
ters are  dated,  which  he  addressed  to  the  Venerable  Society. 
Here  he  was  reverenced  by  the  poor,  esteemed  by  the  Colonial 
governors  and  respected  by  all.  His  death,  which  was  very  sud- 
den and  unexpected  took  place  in  the  Spring  of  1721.  He  was 
buried  near  the  south  west  corner  of  Trinity  church,  New- York. 
The  following  obituary  notice  appeared  in  the  American  weekly 
Mercury  for  March  9th,  1721  :— «  New  York,  March  6th— on 
the  28th  day  of  Febuary  last,  died,  the  Hon.  Caleb  Heathcote, 
Esq.,  Surveyor  General  of  his  Majesty's  Customs  for  the  East- 
ern District  of  North  America,  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Admirality 


a  Doc.  Hist.  K  Y.,  vol.  iv.  p.  1039. 

b  New-York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  176.    (Hawks.) 
c  This  edifice  was  burnt  during  the  Revolution.     The  present  house  was  erected 
on  the  site  of  the  old  one  in  1791,  by  John  P.  de  Lancey. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MAMARONECK.  631 

for  the  Provinces  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  the  Colony 
of  Connecticut,  one  of  his  Majesty's  Council  for  the  Province  ol 
New  York,  and  brother  of  Sir  Gilbert  Heathcote  of  London- 
He  was  a  gentleman  of  rare  qualities,  excellent  temper  and  vir- 
tuous life  and  conversation,  and  his  loss  lamented  by  all  that 
knew  him  ;  whothe  day  of  his  death,  went  about  doing  good  in 
procuring  a  charitable  subscription,  in  which  he  made  a  very 
great  progress."  He  married  Martha,  daughter  of  Col.  William  (or 
Tangier)  Smith  of  L.  I.  so  called  from  having  been  Governor  of  that 
city  in  Charles  the  second's  time.  Mrs.  Heathcote  bore  her  hus- 
band six  children,  namely  :  Gilbert,  William,  Anne,  Mary,  Mar- 
tha and  Elizabeth.  On  the  29th  of  February,  A.  D.  1719? 
Caleb  Heathcote  executed  his  last  will  and  testament.  To  his 
eldest  son,  Gilbert,  he  devised  his  dwelling  house  at  Mamaro- 
neck,  together  with  a  neck  of  land  called  Mamaroneck  East 
Neck,  &c,  and  also  all  his  lands  lying  on  the  east  side  of  Ma- 
maroneck River,  and  all  his  lands  within  the  County  of  West- 
chester, running  eighteen  miles  in  length  into  the  woods.  His 
sons  and  two  of  his  daughters  died  in  their  minority,  upon 
which  his  lands  in  this  parish,  with  other  possessions 
descended  to  Anne  and  Martha,  their  surviving  sisters,  who 
thus  became  his  heiresses.  Anne,  the  eldest,  married  the  Hon. 
James  de  Laneey,  Chief  Justice  and  Lieutenant  Governor 
of  the  Province  of  New  York.  Their  children  were  first, 
James,  educated  at  Eton  and  Cambridge  Universities,  who  was 
a  prominent  member  of  the  Assembly  for  many  years  prior,  and 
up  to  the  Revolution.  He  went  to  England  on  a  visit  in  the 
Spring  of  1775,  and,  the  war  commencing,  he  did  not  return. 
He  died  at  Bath  in  the  year  1800.  His  son,  Lieut.  Col.  James 
de  Laneey,  of  the  First  Dragoon  Guards,  is  the  only  male 
member  of  his  family  now  living.  Stephen  James,  the  second 
son,  whose  intellect  was  effected  by  disease  in  his  infancy,  was 
killed  accidentally  in  1795  ;  he  was  married  but  left  no  issue. 
John  Peter,  the  youngest  child  of  the  Lieut.  Governor  was  also 
educated  in  England,  at  Harrow,  and  at  the  Military  School  at 
Greenwich  ;  he  entered  the  army,  and  served  till  1789,  when  he 


632  HISTOKY  0?  THE  PARISH 

threw  up  his  commission  of  Capt.,  returned  shortly  after  to 
America,  and  resided  till  his  death  in  1828  at  his  grandfather 
Heathcote's  old  seat,  in  this  parish,  of  which  he  was  the  pro- 
prietor. Thomas  James,  the  eldest  son  of  this  gentleman,  died 
a  Judge  of  Westchester  County,  at  the  age  of  32,  leaving  one 
son,  Thomas  James  de  Lancey.  William  Heathcote,  his 
youngest  son,  is  the  present  Bishop  of  Western  New  York."a 
The  Rev.  Wil  liam  Walton,  D.  D.  of  New  York,  is  a  great  grand- 
son of  Chief  Justice  De  Lancey.  Martha,  the  second  daughter 
of  Col.  Heathcote,  married  Lewis  Johnston,  M.  D.  of  Perth 
Amboy,  N.  J.,  from  whom  descends  the  Rt.  Rev.  Charles  Petit 
Mcllvaine,  Bishop  of  Ohio,  and  Susannah,  wife  of  the  Rev.  John 
M.  Ward,  rector  of  the  parish. 

Previous  to  the  Revolution,  Mamaroneck  constituted  one  of 
the  appropriated  towns  of  Rye  parish,  having  been  annexed 
thereto  by  the  act  of  Assembly  passed  in  1693.  In  1711,  Ma- 
maroneck contributed  towards  the  rector's  tax  £3  13  6,  and  in 
1767,  £19  2  6.  The  parochial  clergy  appear  to  have  officiated 
here  at  a  very  early  period,  as  Madame  Knight  incidentally 
mentions  in  1704,^"  that  one  Church  of  England  parson,  offi- 
ciated in  all  these  three  towns,  (viz  :  Rye,  Mamaroneck  and  Horse 
Neck,)  once  every  Sunday  in  turns  throughout  the  year."b  This 
clergyman  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Pritchard,  first  rector  of  the 
parish  of  Rye,  who  resided  in  Mamaroneck  at  that  time.  The 
name  of  John  Disbrow  as  vestryman  from  Mamaroneck  occurs  in 
the  vestry  minutes  of  Rye  for  January  7th,  A.  D.  1710.  In  1724 
the  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  rector  of  the  parish,  informs  the  Bish- 
op of  London : — "  That  he  officiates  eight  times  per  annum  at 
Mamaroneck,  for  that  place  and  Scarsdale,  and  Foxe's  Meadow, 
about  three  miles  off."  The  Rev.  James  Wetmore,  his  succes- 
sor, writing  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Yenerable  Society  in  Febru- 
ary, 1727-8,  says : — "  As  to  the  number  of  people  dissent- 
ing from  the  Church,  of  all  sorts  throughout  the  parish,  they 
are  much  the  greater  part  at  Mamaroneck."    In  March,  1748, 

»  Doc.  Hist,  of  New  York,  vol.  iv.  pp.  10-56. 
*  Madame  Knight's  Journal,  p.  59. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MAMARONECK.         633 

he  observes ; — "  I  have  lately  preached  a  lecture  at  Mamaroneck, 
the  westemost  part  of  my  parish,  where  many  more  attended 
than  I  had  expectation  of,  upon  which  I  have  promised  to  visit 
them  again,  and  continue  to  give  them  frequent  lectures  as  long 
as  their  zeal  will  continue  to  attend  them."  In  1788,  the  in- 
habitants of  White  Plains,  Rye  and  places  adjacent,  employed 
the  services  of  the  Rev.  Richard  C.  Moore.  From  this  period  un- 
til 18M,  occasional  services  were  only  performed  here  by  the 
neighboring  clergy. 

Upon  the  12th  of  April,  1814,  the  present  parish  was  organ- 
ized and  incorporated  in  accordance  with  the  Act    passed  on 
the  17th  of  March,  1795.    At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Congre- 
gation held  on  Tuesday  in  Easter  week,  in  the  year  1814,  the 
following  gentlemen  were  chosen  officers  for  the  ensuing  year, 
viz  :    John  Peter  de  Lancey  and  Peter  Jay  Munroe,  churchwar- 
dens.   William  Gray,  Benj.  Hadden,  Henry  Gedney,  Samuel  Deal, 
Abraham    Guion    and    Matthias   G.     Valentine,    vestrymen.* 
The  first  entry  upon  thechurch  minutes  is  on  the  5th  day  of  April, 
1817,  when  at  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  (held  at  the  house  of 
David  Wood)  John  P.  de  Lancey  presided,  and  the  following 
gentlemen  were  elected  wardens  and  vestrymen  for  the  ensuing 
year  :  John  P.  de  Lancey  and  Peter  J.  Munro,  churchwardens. 
Henry  Gedney,  Benj.  Hadden,  Jacob  Mott,  Thomas  J.  de  Lan- 
cey, Benj.  Crooker,  Guy  C.  Bayley,  Monmouth  Lyon  and  Edward 
F.    de   Lancey,   vestrymen.     At  a   meeting  of  the     vestry  on 
the  20th  day  of  October  of  the  same  year,  a  resolution  was 
passed,  to  present  a  memorial  to  the  Diocesan  Convention,  and 
a  request  to  be  admitted.     In  accordance  with  such  a  resolu- 
tion, Thomas  J.  de  Lancey  and  Guy  C.  Bayley  were  elected  dele, 
gates.     On  the  20th  of  June,  1818,  a  deed  from  Messrs.  Prall 
and  Clendenning  was  presented  by  Mr.  de  Lancey,  conveying 
a  lot  of  land,  on  which  to  erect  a  church,  and  it  was  resolved 
that  the  vestry  execute  a  quit  claim  for  the  said  gentlemen,  for 
the  lot  belonging  to  the  Church  on  Rye  neck,  agreeable  to  the 


•  Religious  Soc.  Co.  Rec  liber  A.  p.  145. 


634  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

arrangement  made  with  Mr.  Prall.  A  Mr.  Henderson  having 
bequeathed  a  legacy  to  the  Church,  Messrs.  Guy  C.  Bayleyand 
Thomas  J.  de  Lancey  were  appointed  a  committee  to  receive 
the  same  from  his  executors.  At  this  meeting  Messrs.  de  Lan- 
cey, Crooker  and  Bayley  were  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a 
plan,  and  estimate  the  expenses  of  building  a  church,  and  Mr. 
James  Fennimore  Cooper  was  appointed  a  committee  to  procure  a 
seal. 
On  the  4th  of  June,  1821,  the 

REV.  WILLIAM  HEATHCOTE  DE  LANCEY 

was  called  as  rector,  and  served  without  salary  for  ten  months. 
In  this  year  the  Church  obtained  permission  from  the 
trustees  of  the  Methodist  meeting  house,  to  use  the  same 
for  public  worship  on  Sunday  afternoons,  and  Mr.  de  Lan- 
cey officiated  therein.  There  seems  at  this  time  to  have  been 
considerable  difficulty  in  making  choice  of  a  suitable  place,  up- 
on which  (o  build  a  church.  After  much  delay  however,  earlv 
in  the  year  1822,  the  lots  at  present  occupied  by  the  Corpora- 
tion were  obtained.  On  the  25th  of  March,  the  same  year,  the 
Rev.  William  H.  de  Lancey,  on  being  ordained  priest  by  Bishop 
Hobart,  resigned  his  charge,  and  went  to  Philadelphia.  In 
August,  1823,  the  vestry  contracted  for  a  church  edifice,  43  ft. 
by  34,  which  was  afterwards  enlarged  by  the  addition  of  a  cir- 
cular recess  for  the  chancel,  and  a  gallery  for  the  organ.  In 
October  of  this  year,  the 

REY.  LEWIS  P.  BAYARD,   A.   M. 

then  rector  of  Trinity  church,  New  Rochelle,  was  engaged  to 
officiate  in  the  church  on  Sunday  afternoons,  for  one  year,  after 
which,  in  1824,  he  was  succeeded  by  the 

REV.  WILLIAM  C.  MEAD, 

who  resigned  in  1825,  and  a  new  engagement  was  entered  into 
with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bayard,  which  lasted  until  1827.  For  Mr. 
Bayard's  successors,  see  list  of  rectors. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MAMARONECK.  635 

THE  CHURCH. 

St.  Thomas'  church  occupies  a  fine  elevated  position,  directly 
north  of  the  main  street,  facing  the  Bay  of  Mamaroneck.  The 
building  is  a  neat  wooden  structure,  with  a  tower.  The  foun- 
dation of  the  present  edifice  was  laid  as  we  have  seen  in  1823, 
and  the  church  consecrated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God  on 
Tuesday,  the  17th  of  June,  of  that  year,  under  the  name  and 
title  of  "St.  Thomas'  church,  Mamaroneck,"  by  Bishop Hobart. 

To  this  church  is  attached  a  handsome  parsonage  and  glebe. 
The  whole  real  estate  is  valued  at  eight  thousand  dollars. 
The  communion  silver  consists  of  a  flaggon,  and  a  double  set 
of  chalices  and  patens,  inscribed  "  St.  Thomas'  Church  Ma- 
maroneck, New-York,  1837,"  besides  a  smaller  set,  for  the 
private  administration  of  the  Holy  Eucharist.  During  the  in- 
cumbency of  the  present  rector,  the  church  has  undergone  con- 
siderable repairs,  and  a  new  organ  has  been  purchased  at  an 
expense  of  6600.  The  parsonage  has  also  been  obtained, 
and  greatly  improved.  The  Corporation  of  Trinity  Church, 
New  York,  have  made  the  following  liberal  grants  to  this 
Church,  viz  :  in  1835,  the  sum  of  $300  and  in  1836,  the  sum 
of  $600. 

RECTORS  OF  MAMARONECK. 

INST.  OR  CALL.       INCUMBENTS.      VACAT.      PATRONS. 

4  June,  1821,  Rev.  Wm.  H.  de  Lancey,  Deacon,  resig.  war.  &  ves. 

1  Oct.  1823,  Rev.  Lewis  P.  Bayard,  Presb.  resig. 
30  Mar.  1824,  Rev.  William  C.  Mead,  Deacon,  resig. 
21  Sep.  1825,  Rev.  Lewis  P.  Bayard,  Presb.  resig. 
25  Apr.  1827,  Rev.  Alex.  H.  Crosby,  Presb.  resig. 

2  Oct.  1830,  Rev.  John  M.  Forbes,  Presb.  resig. 

11  Feb- 1832,  Rev.  Wm.  M.  Carmichael,  Presb.  resig. 
17  Nov.  1834,  Rev.  P.  S.  Chauncey,  Presb.  resig. 
14  July,  1837,  Rev.  Wm.  A.  Curtis,  Presb.  resig. 

5  July,  1S41,  Rev.  John  M.  Ward,  present  incumbent. 


636 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 
NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 


A.  D.  1847,  Baptisms,  10,        Communicants,  53. 
1853,  Baptisms,  10,        Communicants,  57. 
No.  of  Catechists  belonging  to  this  parish,  6.     No.  of  Cate- 
chumens, 40 
In  1828,  the  No.  of  families  belonging  to  this  precinct  were  20- 
In  1853,  «  "  "     parish  44. 

No.  of  souls,  200. 
In  1712,  the  No.  of  inhabitants  belonging  to  this  parish  were  S4- 
In  1840,  »  «  "  «    928. 

In  1850,  «  «  «         *  «  1416- 


St.  Thomas  Church,  Mamaroneck. 

WARDENS  OF  ST.  THOMAS'  CHURCH. 

1817— ISIS. 
John  P.  de  Lancey,  Peter  J.  Munro. 

1S19. 
Peter  J.  Munro,  John  P.  de  Lancey. 

1S20-21. 
John  P.  de  Lancey,  Peter  J.  Munro. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MAMARONECK. 
1822-7. 


637 


John  P.  de  Lancey, 

1828. 

Guy  C.  Bayley. 

Guy  C.  Bayley, 

1829-30. 

James  B.  Hadden. 

Gabriel  Purely, 

1831-34. 

Guy  C.  Bayley. 

Gabriel  Purdy 

1835-38. 

Jas.  B.  Hadden. 

Samuel  Purdy, 

1839-50. 

Monmouth  Lyon. 

Samuel  Purdy, 

1850-3. 

Benj.  M.  Brown. 

Samuel  Purdy, 

Jesse  Burger. 

HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OF 


WHITE    PLAINS. 


White  Plains  originally  formed  a  portion  of  the  town  and 
parish  of  Rye.  and  derived  its  name  from  the  White  Balsam, 
(Gnaphaiium  Polycephalum  of  Linnaeus)  which  still  grows  in 
great  abundance  in  and  around  the  plains. 

It  was  called  Quarroppas  by  the  Indians,  under  whom  these 
lands  formed  a  portion  of  the  ancient  domains  of  Weckquas- 
keck,  as  we  find  Shapham  or  Thapham,  one  of  the  Sachems  of 
that  place,  conjointly  selling  lands  here  to  the  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Rye  in  1683. 

In  February,  1714-15,  the  "White  Plains  Purchase"  was  first 
laid  out  by  Joseph  Budd  and  others.  Upon  the  13th  of  March) 
1721,  King  George  the  Second  granted  to  Joseph  Budd  and 
his  associates,  royal  letters  patent  for  four  thousand  four  hun- 
dred and  thirty-five  acres  of  land,  lying  in  the  county  of  West- 
chester, known  by  the  name  of"  White  Plains."  The  patentees 
yielding,  rendering  and  paying  therefor  yearly,  &c.  on  the 
Feast  day  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary,  (com- 
monly called  Lady  Day)  the  annual  rent  of  two  shillings  and 
six  pence  for  every  hundred  acres  thereof,  &c. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WIIITE  PLAINS.  639 

As  one  of  the  appropriated  precincts  belonging  to  the  parish 
of  Rye,  White  Plains  contributed  a  yearly  quota  towards  the 
rector's  support  and  poor,  which  amounted  in  1703  to  £24  9s. 
The  first  record  relating  to  the  establishment  of  Episcopal  ser- 
vices here,  was  made  in  1724,  when  Mr.  Jenney,  rector  of  the 
parish,  writing  to  the  Bishop  of  London  on  the  18th  of  July  of 
that  year  says  : — "  I  officiate  four  times  at  the  White  Plains 
about  four  miles  off,  the  remaining  Sundays  here  at  Rye."  The 
Rev.  James  Wetmore  writing  to  the  Society  in  February,  1728, 
observes  : — "  There  are  three  meeting  houses  in  the  parish,  &c, 
one  at  White  Plains,  in  the  township  of  Rye,  about  six  miles 
from  the  church  built  last  year  by  the  followers  of  Walton,  who 
are  the  old  Independent  party,  and  they  are  about  building 
another,  near  the  church.  The  haughty  insolent  behaviour  of 
"Walton  drew  upon  him  the  displeasure  of  the  Dissenting  teach- 
ers, on  which  account  he  removed  from  this  parish  a  few  days 
ago,  but  introduced  a  young  man  to  be  his  successor,  who  holds 
forth  one  Sunday  at  White  Plains  and  another  in  the  town  of 
Rye  alternately,  for  which  they  give  him  £50  per  annum,  which 
they  raise  by  subscriptions.  They  have  besides  given  him 
money  to  purchase  a  house  and  land,  but  how  much  I  can't  tell.'' 
In  1735  he  writes  as  follows  : — "  I  continue  my  method  of  preach- 
ing alternately  at  several  parts  of  the  parish,  viz  :  three  Sundays 
in  the  church  at  Rye,  then  one  at  North  Castle,  then  three  again 
at  Rye,  then  one  at  White  Plains.  Mr.  Dwight's  catechu- 
mens, and  several  others  are  desirous  of  baptism,  which  I  have 
promised  to  administer  to  them  as  soon  as  Mr.  Dwight  has  pre- 
pared them  by  necessary  instruction.  They  belong  to  Quaker 
masters,  but  yet  got  leave  to  come  pretty  often  to  church,  where 
Mr.  Dwight  catechises  them  with  such  children  as  offer  them- 
selves after  evening  service,  and  keeps  a  school  at  the  White 
Plains  to  the  people's  good  satisfaction."  Writing  to  the  Secre. 
tary  on  the  first  of  July,  1738,  he  says: — "Mr.  Dwight,  the 
schoolmaster  at  the  White  Plains,  six  miles  from  Rye,  teaches 
twenty-seven  children,  whose  parents  profess  themselves  to  be  of 


640  HISTORY  OF  "THE  PARISH 

the  Church  of  England,  seventeen  born  of  Dissenting  parents, 
and  two  negro  children,  in  all  forty-six."  The  year  following 
he  writes  : — "  The  two  last  times  I  preached  at  the  White  Plains, 
where  Mr.  Dwight  teaches  a  school,  it  was  judged  the  congrega- 
tion consisted  of  at  least  three  hundred  people,  where,  not  hav- 
ing any  house  large  enough  to  receive  the  people,  I  am  obliged 
to  preach  in  the  open  fields,  and  if  the  congregation  at  Rye  in- 
creases as  it  has  done  the  year  past,  we  must  be  forced  to  enlarge 
the  parish  church." 

In  1765,  Mr.  Timothy  Wetmore  read  prayers  and  sermons  at 
Rye  and  White  Plains,  the  parish  having  become  vacant  by  the 
death  of  his  father's  successor,  Mr.  Punderson.  The  same  year 
Mr.  Avery  was  inducted  rector  of  Rye  and  its  precincts.  In 
1772  he  writes  : — "  That  peace  and  unanimity  subsists  between 
him  and  his  people."  But  soon  after  this  the  Revolutionary  war 
broke  out,  and  his  entire  mission  seemed  utterly  ruined.  On 
Tuesday  morning,  the  5th  of  November,  1776,  Mr.  Avery  was 
found  dead  near  the  parsonage  at  Rye,  and  the  same  night  the 
court  house  and  every  dwelling  at  White  Plains  was  burnt  to 
the  ground. 

Upon  the  11th  of  April,  1784,  Mr.  Andrew  Fowler  collected 
the  congregation  at  the  White  Plains,  and  continued  to  officiate 
as  a  lay  reader,  both  here  and  at  Rye,  until  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Moore 
was  appointed  rector  in  1787.  In  January,  1788  we  find  the  in- 
habitants of  White  Plains  and  Rye  uniting  in  the  erection  of  a 
new  church  edifice  at  the  latter  place  ;  Joshua  Purdy,  sen., 
Jesse  Hunt,  Esq.,  Mr.  Thomas  Lyons,  William  Miller,  Esq.  and 
Jonathan  Horton  were  appointed  trustees  to  collect  the  money 
subscribed  for  this  purpose,  and  superintend  the  building,  &c. 
In  1803,  it  was  resolved  by  the  vestry  of  the  parish  : — "  That 
Mr.  Rogers,  our  present  minister,  or  whoever  shall  succeed  him 
in  the  rectorship,  shall  hereafter  attend  service  and  prayers  at 
Rye  and  at  the  White  Plains  alternately  as  usual,  provided  our 
brethren  in  and  about  the  White  Plains  shall  raise  an  equal 
proportion  of  the  salary,  and  that  such  rector  shall  attend  at  the 
White  Plains  in  proportion  to  the  sum  of  money  that  shall  be 


AND  CHURCH  OF   WHITE  PLAINS.  641 

raised  by  our  brethren  in  and  about  the  White  Plains."  Mr. 
Rogers  in  his  parochial  report  for  1808,  observes  : — "  An  unhappy 
misunderstanding  has  subsisted  between  Rye  and  that  part  of 
the  parish  residing  at  White  Plains.  The  rector  is  happy  in 
having  to  state  that  a  union  has  been  restored  since  the  last  Con- 
vention, which,  it  is  hoped,  will  contribute  to  the  real  interest  of 
this  church."  At  a  vestry  meeting  held  in  Rye,  on  the  17th  of 
March,  1808,  it  was  on  motion  resolved  : — "  That  two-thirds  of 
the  Sunday  serviceNof  the  rector  be  attended  at  Rye,  the 
other  third  part  at  the  White  Plains."  The  connection  between 
the  two  congregations  continued  until  1816,  when  it  was 
deemed  expedient  by  the  wardens  and  vestrymen  of  Christ 
Church,  Rye,  to  withdraw  from  the  White  Plains,  and  to  have 
the  stated  services  of  the  rector  limited  to  the  church  in  Rye, 
From  1816  to  1823  occasional  services  were  performed  here  by  the 
neighboring  clergy.  In  1824  the  congregation  was  re-organized 
by  the  Rev.  Lewis  P.  Bayard,  under  the  most  discouraging  cir- 
cumstances. u  There  was  then  not  one  male  communicant,  and 
not  more  than  four  or  five  females  were  members  of  our  com- 
munion."a  Upon  the  22d  of  March,  1824,  the  church  was  in- 
corporated by  the  title  of  "  Grace,  Protestant  Episcopal,  Church, 
White  Plains,"  (in  remembrance  of  Grace  church,  Rye,  whose 
ministers  had  officiated  here  alternately  for  nearly  one  hundred 
years,)  Richard  Jarvis  and  Alan  McDonald, churchwardens.  Wil- 
liam Purdy,  John  Horton,  Gilbert  Hatfield,  James  Dick,  Alexan- 
der Fowler,  Joshua  Horton,  William  Bulkley  and  James  Merrit, 
vestrymen.     The  same  year  the 

REV.  WILLIAM  C.  MEAD 

was  elected  rector  of  the  parish  ;  and  in  the  autumn  of  that 
year  reported  to  the  Diocesan  Convention,  that : — "  The  war- 
dens and  vestry  of  this  church,  which  was  organized  only  last 
spring,  have,  with  a  zeal  worthy  of  imitation,  already  com- 
menced the  erection  of  a  commodious  church,  which    will  be 


Mrs.  G.  W.  Tompkins,  the  last  survivor  of  the  five  died  in  March,  1853. 

41 


642  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

ready  for  consecration  the  ensuing  summer."    Mr.  Mead  removed 
to  Pennsylvania  in  1826,  and  was  succeeded  by  the 

REV.  ALEXANDER  H.  CROSBY,  M.  A. 

He  reports  for  1828,  eleven  baptisms  and  forty  communicants. 
Mr.  Crosby  officiated  till  December  of  that  year,  when  he  was 
chosen  rector  of  St.  John's  church,  Yonkers.     The 

REV.  JOHN  W.  CURTIS,  M.  A. 

was  his  successor.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of  Zechariah  Curtis, 
and  was  born  at  Troy,  N.  Y.  on  the  7th  of  January,  1804.  His 
education,  preparatory  to  college,  was  entrusted  to  the  care  of 
Dr.  Stodart  and  Mr.  McNiece.  In  September,  1821,  he  entered 
Union  College,  where  he  graduated  with  the  highest  honors. 
Not  less  distinguished  was  his  course  at  tbe  Theological  Sem- 
inary, which  he  entered  in  the  autumn  of  1824.  Immediately 
after  his  ordination  by  Bishop  Hobart,  he  accepted  a  call  to 
Canandaigua  and  entered  upon  his  duties  towards  the  end  of  the 
summer  of  1S27,  but  in  consequence  of  sickness,  was  compelled 
to  return  home  in  the  fall  of  the  same  year.  In  the  spring  of 
1828  he  removed  to  Philadelphia,  and  accepted  a  temporary  call  to 
Harrisburgh,  where  he  labored  diligently  for  about  six  months. 
The  congregation  at  this  place  were  unsettled  as  to  their  ulti- 
mate choice  of  a  pastor,  and  the  church  in  which  they  then 
worshipped  was  in  an  unfinished  state.  Having  received  in  the 
mean  time  an  invitation  to  this  parish,  he  accepted  it,  and  here 
continued  for  more  than  two  years  to  perform  the  duties  of  his 
office,  cheered  by  many  a  delightful  evidence  of  success. a  In 
the  spring  of  1831,  being  quite  feeble,  he  applied  to  the  Bishop 
for  a  change.  In  March,  1831,  he  was  induced  by  the  Bishop 
and  clergy  to  become  the  editor  of  the  Churchman,  then  first  es- 
tablished.    At  the  same  time  he  had  charge  of  the  English  and 


»  He  was  admitted  to  the  Holy  Order  of  Priests  by  the  Rt  Rev.  J.  H.  Hobart,  D.  D. 
in  Grace  church,  White  Plains,  May,  30th,  1829. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WHITE  PLAINS.  643 

Classical  department  of  the  Public  School  sustained  by  Trinity 
Church  in  the  city  of  New  York.  The  responsibilities  which 
both  these  offices  brought  with  them,  instead  of  securing  for  him 
more  leisure  for  private  intellectual  employments,  and  consequent 
serenity  of  mind,  only  brought  him  more  care  and  anxiety.  The 
change  from  country  to  city  operated  for  the  worse.  He  declined 
in  health  rapidly.  A  pure  and  living  faith  in  the  merits  of  a 
Divine  Redeemer  sustained  him  to  the  last.  He  died  on  Sun- 
day morning,  June  7th,  1835. 

"  His  remains  were  taken  to  Troy,  and  deposited  in  the  ground 
that  is  shaded  at  sunset  by  the  mount  so  hallowed  by  him  in  his 
youth — his  chosen  resting  place  in  life  and  death — serene  and 
sacred  Ida."a  He  was  the  author  of  a  small  volume  of  poems 
published  in  1846. 

The 

REV.  ROBERT  W.  HARRIS,  D.  D. 

present  rector,  took  charge  of  the  parish  in  1831,  being  its  fourth 
pastor. 

THE  CHURCH. 

Grace  church  is  very  pleasantly  situated,  a  little  east  of  the  Court 
House,  in  the  village  of  White  Plains,  and  being  somewhat  ele- 
vated above  the  road,  commands  a  fine  view  of  the  valley  and 
hills  to  the  north-east.  It  is  built  of  wood,  with  a  handsome  tower 
and  vestry  room  in  the  rear.  The  former  contains  a  fine  bell 
weighing  1135  pounds.  This  edifice  was  consecrated  on  the  17th 
of  June,  1826,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  J.  H.  Hobart,D.D.  In  1841  a  lot 
of  ground,  in  the  rear  of  thaton  which  the  church  then  stood,  was 
purchased  for  the  sum  of  $400,  in  order  to  afford  room  for  the  en- 
largement of  that  edifice.  The  same  year  the  church  was 
greatly  improved  by  an  addition  of  fourteen  feet,  together  with  a 


•  Poems  by  the  late  Rev.  John  W.  Curtis,  M.  A.  New  York,  Edward  O.  Jeukin», 
114  Nassau  street,  N.  Y.,  1846. 


644 


HISTORY  OF  TEE  PARISH 


large  vestry  room — by  an  almost  entire  alteration  of  the  in- 
terior of  the  building,  and  by  the  erection  of  a  very  neat  gallery 
at  the  east  end.  The  ladies  of  the  parish  at  the  same  time  pre- 
sented an  elegant  communion  table,  two  handsome  chairs  for 
the  chancel,  and  rich  hangings  for  the  pulpit  and  reading  desk, 
&c.  A  fine  toned  organ  has  been  since  added.  Adjoining  the 
church  is  a  parochial  school  house.  The  church- yard  con- 
tains memorials  to  the  families  of  Du  Bois',  Thomas,  and 
others. 

In  the  immediate  vicinity  is  situated  a  parsonage  and  glebe 
of  four  acres,a  at  present  occupied  by  the  rector  of  the  parish  ; 
who  has  for  twenty  years  past  conducted  a  select  boys  school,  for 
English,  Classical  and  Religious  education,  his  chief  object  be- 
ing to  serve  the  Church,  by  training  a  few  of  its  youth  in  the 
old  paths  of  filial  obedience,  patient  industry  and  Christian  de- 
votion. In  1833  Trinity  Church,  New  York,  appropriated  to 
this  parish  the  sum  of  $750.  To  Grace  church  is  attached, 
besides  a  parochial  school,  a  chapel  of  Ease  which  has  been  re- 
cently erected  at  West  White  Plains.     The   latter  is  capable 


Grace  Church,  White  Plains, 


"The  glebe  of  four  acres   was  purchased  by  the  vestry  in  1833,  aud  the  present 
substantial  parsonage  erected  thereon. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WHITE  PLAINS.  645 

of  seating  200  persons.  It  cost  $865,  and  was  paid  for  by  the 
parish.  Services  have  been  held  in  it  every  Sunday  since 
November,  1853. 

The  churchwardens  of  this  parish  have  been,  Richard  Jarvis, 
Alan  McDonald  and  Joshua  Horton. 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

In  1824,  Communicants.  12,        Baptisms,  4. 

In  1828  «  40,  "        11. 

In  184S  «  50,  "         8. 

In  1853  "  80,  "         2. 

No.   of   Catechists    in  1853,   20.     No.  of  Catechumens,  90. 
The  population  of  White  Plains  in  1840  was  1,087.     In  1850 
1.461. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OF 


LOWER  GREENBURGH. 


In  the  Dutch  language  Grein  (Grain)  burgh  (borough)  literally 
the  Grain  town.  In  some  of  the  early  deeds  called  "  Lawrence's 
plantation,"  a  name  undoubtedly  derived  from  one  of  its  original 
proprietors.  The  aboriginal  name  of  the  town  itself  was 
Weckquaskeck  ;  in  pure  Algonquin,  Weec-quaes-guck,  "  the 
place  of  the  bark-kettle."  On  the  14th  of  July,  1649,  Petrus 
Stuyvesant  purchased  lands  in  this  parish,  in  behalf  of  the  Dutch 
West  India  Company.  The  next  grantee  under  the  Indians, 
was  the  Hon.  Frederick  Philipse  of  East  Friesland,  who  had 
emigrated  to  New  Amsterdam  at  an  early  period.  In  December, 
1681,  this  individual  purchased  lands  of  Wessickenaeuw,  Sa- 
chem of  Weckquaskeck,  and  other  Indians.  The  purchases  of 
Frederick  Philipse  in  this  parish  subsequently  formed  a  portion 
of  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  which  remained  in  the  Philipse 
family,  until  the  attainder  of  Col.  Frederick  Philipse,  A.  D.  1779, 
when  they  became  vested  by  forfeiture  in  the  people  of  this  State. 

For  nearly  seventy  years  St.  John's  church,  Yonkers,  consti- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  LOWER  GREENBTJRGH.  647 

tuted  the  only  benefice  in  the  manor  of  Philipsburgh.     In  1833 
the 

REV.  ALEXANDER  H.  CROSBY, 

rector  of  that  church,  officiated  once  a  fortnight,  in  the  after- 
noon, at  the  school-house  in  the  village  of  Dobb's  Ferry,  where 
with  the  blessing  of  God,  he  succeeded  in  collecting  a  congre 
gation,  and  in  organizing  the  parish  under  the  title  of  "  the 
Rector,  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen,  of  Zion  Church,  in 
the  town  of  Greenburgh."  On  the  31st  of  August,  1833,  the 
following  officers  were  elected  :  Joseph  Howland  and  Oscar 
Irving,  churchwardens.  Van  Burgh  Livingston,  Anthony  Con- 
stant, William  Waring,  Cornelius  M.  Odell,  Andrew  Storms 
and  Everet  Brown,  vestrymen. a  The  same  year  a  small  stone 
church  was  erected,  and  divine  service  performed  therein  every 
Sunday  afternoon.     In  July,  1836,  the 

REV.  WILLIAM  CREJGHTON,  D.  D. 

took  charge  of  the  parish.     This  gentleman  was  succeeded  by 
the 

REV.  W.  G.  HEYER, 

who  resigned  his  charge  on  the  1st  of  January,  1852.     The 
present  incumbent  is  the 

REV.  WILLIAM  A.  McVlCKAR. 

THE  CHURCH. 

Zion  church  stands  upon  the  highest  ground  in  the  village  of 
Dobbs'  Ferry,  near  the  Albany  post  road.  The  wonderfully  exten- 
sive views,  which  this  elevated  spot  commands  on  every  side,  are 
better  seen  than  described.  This  edifice  has  been  almost  wholly  re- 


•  County  Rec.  R.  Societies,  Liber.  B.  p.  17.      Day  of  election,  Easter  Tuesday. 


648  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

built  and  enlarged  to  three  times  its  original  size,  during  the  past 
year,  and  was  consecrated  on  Monday  the  24th  of  July,  1854, 
hy  the  late  Rt.  Rev.  the  Provisional  Bishop  of  the  Diocese. 

"The  building  which  was  an  enlargement  of  the  original  struc- 
ture, is  of  rough  grey  stone,  but  does  not  claim  to  be  in  any  respect 
strictly  correct.  There  is  no  distinct  chancel  externally  ;  the 
roof  is  of  classical  flatness,  and  a  classical  cornic3  still  remains 
to  testify  to  the  prevailing  style  when  it  was  first  erected.  But 
the  changes  made  have  wholly  altered  the  character  of  the 
building,  and  made  more  of  it  than  could  have  been  supposed 
possible.  It  had  originally  about  twenty  pews,  all  owned  by 
rich  men  It  has  now  about  seventy  opsn  seats,  all  free.  The 
side  windows  are  left  of  the  original  size,  which  is  of  the  largest. 
There  are  no  lateral  buttresses,  except  those  added  to  give 
breadth  to  the  tower  at  the  west  end.  (We  use  the  points  of 
the  compass  conventionally,  the  chancel  being  at  the  south  in- 
stead of  the  east.)  This  tower  was  originally  very  low  and 
narrow,  but  the  buttresses  have  given  it  breadth  below,  and  it 
has  been  continued  above,  into  a  belfry,  which  is  one  of  the  most 
unique  and  picturesque  features  about  the  exterior  of  the  church. 
It  has  four  sharp  gables,  two  of  which  are  of  somewhat  less 
height.  The  belfry  openings  have  angular  instead  of  arched 
heads,  single  lights  and  couplets  alternating.  This  belfry  is  oc- 
supied  by  a  fine  toned  bell.  There  are  very  pretty  ventilation 
openings,  small  and  traceried,  of  Caen  stone,  in  the  tower  and 
at  the  east  end  over  the  chancel  window.  The  iron  work  of 
the  gable,  crosses,  finials  and  the  large  ornate  vase  on  the  top  of 
the  turret  is  remarkably  successful,  and  shows  what  can  be  done 
in  that  line  by  a  country  blacksmith  under  good  direction.  This 
direction,  we  ought  to  add,  was  that  of  the  rector  himself,  who 
has  been  the  sole  architect  throughout  these  alterations. 

In  the  interior  the  effect  of  the  church  is  very  pleasing,  though 
plain.  There  is  a  gallery  at  the  west  end,  with  the  harmonium> 
and  occupied  principally  by  the  choir.  The  open  seats  have 
standards,  ending  in  tall  though  plain  poppy-heads.  The  win- 
dows are  filled  with  plain  ground  glas's,  a  portion  of  the  quarries 


AND  CHURCH  OF  LOWER  GREENBURGH.  649 

being  tinted.  The  chancel  is  formed  by  railing  off  a  portion  of 
the  nave  (about  fifteen  feet)  in  a  manner  somewhat  peculiar, 
but  very  effective.  The  upright  beams  that  mark  the  corners  of 
the  chancel  projection,  run  up  to  the  roof,  their  braces  being 
arched,  and  the  open  space  over  the  arch  line  being  filled  up 
with  tracery,  (not  good  in  design,  and  very  thin  in  its  execution.) 
The  altar  rail  connects  these  two  main  posts  below.  The  sides 
of  the  chancel  are  formed  by  high  open  screen-work  of  six  com- 
partments, Arched  and  cusped  under  a  beam  running  from  the 
main  corner  post  to  the  east  wall.  The  lower  part  of  these  side 
screens  is  solid.  Between  these  side  screens  and  the  wall  are 
the  benches  for  Sunday-school  children.  The  chancel  is  two* 
steps  above  the  nave,  having  a  couple  of  stalls  and  book-boards 
on  the  north  side,  and  a  lectern  on  the  south.  The  altar,  which 
is  of  oak,  with  a  top  slab  of  Caen  stone,  stands  on  a  broad  step, 
having  a  credence  shelf  on  the  south  side,  and  the  Bishop's 
chair  on  the  north.  The  chancel  wood-work  is  all  of  varnished 
oak,  as  is  also  the  pulpit,  which  stands  in  the  nave  against  the 
south  wall.  The  altar  is  beautifully  vested  with  green  cloth, 
frontal,  and  super-frontal  richly  fringed  and  embroidered.  The 
frontal  is  seme  of  the  passion  flower,  conventionally  treated,  and 
on  the  super-frontal  the  same  flower,  mingled  with  the  vine,  is 
treated  more  au  naturel,  the  two  being  twined  together  in  an 
original  and  highly  effective  manner.  The  embroidery  was  exe- 
cuted by  Mrs.  Ferguson,  188  Fulton  street.  The  altar  window 
is  a  triplet,  and  the  only  elaborate  window  in  the  church.  It  is 
mainly  of  pattern  glass,  with  excellent  grisaille.  In  a  large 
medallion  in  the  central  light,  on  a  blue  ground,  is  the  Saviour 
with  little  children,  and  the  legend  below:  'Feed  my  lambs.' 
In  the  side  lights  are  four  small  medallions,  bearing  angels  with 
scrolls  inscribed  with  the  names  of  the  Four  Evangelists  ;  and 
in  each  light  is  also  a  central  medallion,  with  ruby  ground,  bear- 
ing a  pot  with  white  lilies — the  emblem  of  innocence.  The 
window  bears  the  memorial  inscription  : — InMemoriam  Sarah 
Minturn,  quae  septimo  anno  oetatis  domum  rediit.  Lux  per- 
petua  luceat  ei,  Domine.     Hanc  vitream  posuerunt   parentes. 


650 


HISTORr  OF  THE  PARISH 


The  archeism  in  the  figures  of  the  children,  in  the  central  me- 
dallion, is  rather  more  severe  than  there  is  any  need  for ;  but 
for  admirable  harmony  of  color,  and  generally  satisfactory  effect, 
we  have  never  seen  any  glass  made  in  this  country  superior  to 
this  specimen  of  the  skill  of  Doremus  &  Akeroyd.  There  is 
not  a  particle  of  glass  in  the  window  that  is  dull  or  flat  in  effect. 
The  ruby  is  particularly  varied  and  rich  in  tint  and  treatment. 
And  the  tone  of  the  whole  together — the  cool  colors  decidedly 
predominating — is  exceedingly  fine. 


Zion  Church,  Lower  Greenburgh. 

"  The  ground  which  it  occupies  was  the  gift  of  Van  Burgh 
Livingston,  Esq.  The  foundation  of  the  old  edifice  was  laid  as 
we  have  seen  in  1833,  and  the  church  consecrated  to  the  service 
of  Almighty  God  on  Tuesday,  the  20th  of  May,  1834,  by 
Bishop  Onderdonk.  There  are  two  or  three  interments 
in  the  grave  yard,  surrounding  the  church,  of  members  belong- 
ing to  the  Noble,  Bowdoin  and  Irving  families. 

To  this  church  is  attached  the  chapel  school  of  St.  Barnabas> 
at  Dearman's.  This  building  is  so  erected,  chapel-wise,  as  to  be 
used  seperate  as  a  school,  or  united  as  a  church.  When  open  for 
worship,  whether  daily  or  weekly,  the  whole  becomes  a  church  ; 


AND  CHURCH  OP  LOWER  GREENRTJRGH. 


651 


the  eastern  or  chapel  part  becoming  the  chancel ;  the  western 
or  school,  the  nave,  and  is  capable  of  accommodating  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  hearers. 


Zion  Church,  prior  to  enlargement. 

The  total  inside  length  including  the  western  porch,  62  feet 

Width  of  school  part  20 

"  chapel     "  32 

Projection  beyond  school,  (eastward)  -  12 

Height  of  school  side  wall,  -  -  10 

gables,  End  W.  -  -  30 

The  chapel  portion  consists,  besides  the  chancel  proper,  of  a 
sacristy,  opening  out  of  doors,  and  a  library  room  with  a  small 
organ  communicating  with  the  school.  The  northern  and  west- 
ern porches  are  so  arranged  as  to  add  equally  to  the  convenience 
of  the  school,  and  to  the  accommodation  of  the  church.  A 
small  southern  door  is  added  in  the  western  porch  for  the  entrance 
and  exit  of  the  school  in  stormy  weather. 

The  ceiling  of  the  school  is  on  the  collar  beams,  showing  the 
main  rafters,  with  plain  gothic  arch.  The  chancel  arch  is  sim- 
ply adorned.  The  eastern  triplet  is  in  rich  stained  glass.  The 
school  windows,  which  are  in  couplets,  with  stone  mullions,  are 
diamond  panes  of  ground  glass. 

Over  the  entrance  in  the  southern  porch  is  cut  in  stone  the 
well  known  and  appropriate  arms  of  St.  Barnabas,  an  "  open 
book  and  pastoral  staff."  On  the  walls  of  the  school  are  to  be 
inscribed  its  founders,  including  all  who  shall  contribute  village 
lots  for  its  support,  or  equivalent  pieces  of  land,  or  endowment 


652  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

in  money  to  the  amount  of  two  hundred  dollars  ;  to  each  of 
whom  belong,  by  the  terms  of  such  endowment,  a  perpetual  free 
scholarship  in  the  school.  For  all  minor  donations,  a  "  record 
book"  is  kept  always  open  on  the  library  table  of  the  school. 
The  walls  of  the  school  are  enriched  with  the  texts  appropriate. 
The  teacher  of  the  school,  it  is  intended  shall  be  a  Deacon  of 
the  Church,  an  assistant  to  the  missionary  of  the  village,  under 
whose  general  superintendance  the  school  shall  be  carried  on, 
until  a  regular  parish  shall  be  formed  within  it ;  when  the 
school  of  St.  Barnabas  will  become  the  parochial  school  of  St. 
Barnabas,  not  losing,  however,  its  chapel  character  for  daily 
school  services  and  bearing  besides  upon  its  fame  and  memory 
the  blessing  of  the  Church,  which  shall  have  grown  up  on  its 
labors  and  through  its  holy  influences."a 

"The  total  cost  of  the  building,  including  chapel  and  school) 
furniture,  fencing,  &c.  was  about  $5000.  of  which  the  sum  of 
$2250  was  the  amount  contributed  including  the  grant  from 
Trinity  Church.  The  balance  was  from  the  private  funds  of 
the  individual  clergyman  planning  and  erecting  it.  To  com- 
plete, however,  the  full  design  of  the  chapel  school,  and  to  give 
it  permanency,  a  small  parsonage  and  teacher's  house  of  stone, 
to  be  erected  on  the  adjoining  lot,  are  still  wanting,  and  are  now 
proposed  to  be  added,  and  with  that  view,  the  lot  has  bem  pur- 
chased and  will  be  conveyed  in  trust  for  that  purpose,  together 
with  a  perpetual  lien  on  the  production  and  apparently  inex- 
haustible stone  quarry  in  the  neighborhood,  from  which  the 
chapel  school  was  built,  of  $50  per  annum,  to  be  paid  for  ever 
towards  the  teacher's  support,  provided  that  within  the  year 
funds  for  such  erection  be  raised  or  pledged  amounting  to  not 
less  than  $1000." 

The  dedication  of  the  chapel  school  of  St.  Barnabas  took  place 
on  Saturday,  June  11th,  1853.  the  Festival  of  St.  Barnabas.  The 
following:  notice  of  the  event  is  taken  from  the  Church  Journal :  — 


»  New  York,  Ecclesiologist,  vol.  4,  No.  6,  p.  163. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  LOWER  GREENBURGH.      653 

"At  the  appointed  hour,  the  procession  of  clergy,  consisting  of  thirteen,  in  surplices, 
besides  the  Provisional  Bishop,  left  the  sacristy,  and  going  by  the  north  side  of  the 
building,  entered  at  the  western  door.  As  it  moved  slowly  up  the  central  alley,  the 
19th  Psalm  was  said  in  alternate  verses  by  the  Bishop  and  the  rest  of  the  clergy. 
The  Instrument  of  Donation  and  Request,  executed  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  McVickar,  to 
whose  means  and  exertions,  together  with  those  of  his  son,  the  Rev.  Wm.  A.  McVic- 
kar, the  conception  and  execution  of  this  original  and  excellent  design  is  almost 
wholly  due — was  read  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  A.  McVickar.  The  sentence  of  dedication 
of  the  building,  together  with  a  special  consecration  of  the  chancel  thereof,  was  read 
by  the  Rev.  Samuel  R.  Johnson,  D.  D.  Morning  Prayer  was  said  by  the  Rev.  Wm, 
F.  Halsey,  of  Sing  Sing,  and  the  Rev.  A.  B.  Carter,  of  Yonkers,  assisted  in  the  les- 
sons by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Haight,  of  New  York,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Moore,  Sub- Warden 
of  St.  Augustine's  College,  Canterbury.  The  Bishop  said  the  Ante-Communion 
office,  the  Rev.  Dr.  McVickar  reading  the  Epistle,  and  also  preaching  from  the  words 
1  Occupy  till  I  come.'  St.  Luke,  xix.  13.  It  was  an  admirable  and  beautiful  dis- 
course, setting  forth  the  duty  of  consecrating  the  talent  of  wealth  to  the  service  of 

od,  and  showing  the  importance  of  religion  as  the  keystone  of  the  arch  of  our 
liberties,  and  the  only  principle  which  could  render  the  general  diffusion  of  knowledge 
a  blessing.  He  enlarged  upon  the  happy  symbolism  of  the  building,  the  main  pait 
of  which  is  to  serve  as  a  school -room  through  the  week,  and  as  the  nave  of  a  church 
in  time  of  Divine  Service.  This  constant  and  ever  visible  connection  of  religion 
with  daily  life  and  education,  would  render  it  interwoven  through  their  whole  texture 
and  not  merely  patched  on,  as  was  now  too  generally  the  case.  The  venerable 
preacher  appealed  to  his  own  experience,  as  a  teacher  under  whom  tho  third  genera- 
tion is  now  receiving  instruction,  and  asserted  that  there  was  no  sure  safeguard 
against  ruin  which  might  not  fail  except  a  thorough  religious  training.  He  al- 
luded, with  deep  feeling,  to  ^he  joy  of  hearing,  in  that  place,  for  the  first 
time  since  the  Creation,  the  hills  and  rocks  around  re-echoing  to  the  sound  of 
1  the  church-going  bell.'  He  conveyed  the  gratify iug  intelligence  that  the  chapel- 
school  already  has  somewhat  of  an  endowment  in  landed  estate,  although  not  such 
as  can  yet  produce  any  annual  revenue.  Its  benefactors  were  handsomely  yet  deli- 
cately alluded  to ;  on  the  list  of  whom  the  name  of  Washington  Irving  stands  first 
enrolled.  After  a  warm  exhortation  in  favor  of  extending  the  system  of  chapel- 
schools,  the  preacher  concluded  with  an  earnest  exhortation  to  his  hearers  to  remember 
that  they  were  all  builders,  who  were  rearing  each  the  fabric  of  his  own  life.  Every 
day  the  walls  of  that  fabric  were  rising  higher  and  higher.  He  exhorted  them  to 
see  to  it  that  what  they  builded  should  be  silver,  gold  or  precious  stones,  that  might 
last  and  shine  forever:  not  the  wood,  hay  and  stubble  of  vanity  and  worldliuess, 
which  must  all  perish  at  last  in  the  fire." 

The  following  particulars  touching  the  origin  of  its  free 
scholarship,  may  not  be  without  interest  in  showing  how  a  good 
scheme  prospers  under  God's  blessing. 

"  From  a  friend  interested  in  the  village  of  Dearman,  came  its 
first  landed  endowment,  viz  :    the  two  village  lots,  (50  feet  by 


654 


HISTORY  OF  THE   PARISH 


100)  with  two  adjoining  gores,  on  which  the  building  stands ; 
the  gift  of  one  bearing  an  honored  name,  the  grandson  and 
name-sake  of  the  friend,  companion  and  counsellor  of  Washing- 
ton, a  name  and  gift  now  perpetuated  in  the  '  John  Jay  Schol- 
arship.' A  second  bears  in  its  name  an  equal  national  rank 
and  character,  viz  :  the  '  Alexander  Hamilton  Scholar- 
ship.' Through  the  kindness  of  the  grandson  and  name-sake 
of  that  eminent  leader  in  Washington's  counsels  and  framer  of 
our  country's  policy.  A  third  bears  also  the  name  of  the  '  John 
Bard  Scholarship,'  the  first  contributor  of  funds  to  aid 
in  the  erection  of  the  school.  A  fourth  scholarship  bears  the 
well  known  name  of  its  earliest  country  contributor,  a  name  as 
world-wide  in  literary  reputation  as  it  is  dear  to  his  friends ;  the 
'  Washington  Irving  Scholarship.'  A  fifth  bears  the  name 
of  a  most  liberal  and  kind  contributor  to  all  good  works  ;  the 
'Robert  B.  Minturn  Scholarship.'  A  sixth  that  of  the 
1  Franklin  C.  Field  Scholarship,'  in  return  for  the  gift 
of  two  village  lots.  And  a  seventh  that  of  the  'Trinity 
Church  Scholarship,'  in  memory  of  its  liberal  grant  of 
$1000. 


Chapel  School  and  Parsonage  of  St.  Barnabas. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  LOWER  GREENBURGH.  655 

To  these  free  scholarships,  the  nomination  under  the  rules  of 
the  school,  is  in  the  hands  of  those  whose  names  they  respec- 
tively bear,  for  life,  or  descending  to  heirs  according  to  the 
amount  of  endowment. 

In  addition  to  the  above  private  scholarships,  nine  further  are 
provided,  as  "on  the  foundation,"  to  which  the  nomination  lies 
jointly  in  the  :'  Visitor,"  the  "  Missionary"  and  the  "  Principal" 
of  the  school  ;  the  object  of  these  last  being  to  provide  gratuit- 
ous instruction  for  such  as  need  in  the  neighborhood,  without 
the  reproachful  distinction  of  being  received  in  forma  pau- 
peris. 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

In  1834,  Baptisms,  2,       Communicants,  15. 
In  1853,        "         4,  "  22. 

No.  of  Catechists  belonging  to  this  parish  in  1853,  5.  Cate- 
chumens, 34.     No.  of  Families,  18.     No.  of  Souls,  130. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OF 


OSSIN-ING. 


Ossin-ing  once  formed  a  part  of  Mount  Pleasant,  and  like  the 
neighboring  parishes,  was  originally  included  within  the  honor 
and  fee  of  Philipsburgh. 

Ossin-ing,  the  proper  Indian  orthography  of  the  word,  vari- 
ously written,  Sing  Sing,  Sin  Sinck  and  Sink  Sink,  is  derived  from 
Ossin  (a  stone)  and  ing  (a  place)  or  "  stone  upon  stone,"  a  name 
exceedingly  characteristic  of  this  beautiful  parish,  whose  coast 
is  guarded  by  a  vast  munition  of  rocks  and  ancient  boulders. 

The  first  grantee  under  the  Indians  of  Ossin-ing,  was  Frede- 
rick Philipse,  to  whom  on  the  24th  of  August,  1685,  they  re- 
leased all  that  tract  of  land,  called  by  them  Sint-Sinck.  This 
Indian  purchase  was  confirmed  to  his  son,  Philip  Philipse,  by 
royal  patent  in  1686.  On  the  death  of  Frederick  Philipse,  A. 
D.  1700,  this  portion  of  the.  manor  of  Philipsburgh  passed  by 
will  to  his  second  son,  Adolph  Philipse,  who  dying  without  issue 
in  1749,  it  became  vested  in  his  nephew,  the  Hon.  Frederick 
Philipse,  son  of  his  eldest  brother,  Philip  Philipse.     The  last 


AND  CHURCH  OF  OSSIN-ING.  657 

mesne  lord  was  Col.  Frederick  Philipse,  with   whose  attainder 
these  lands  expired  in  the  Philipse  family. 

Prior  to  the  Revolution,  Episcopal  services  were  occasionally 
performed  for  this  neighborhood  at  Croton,  by  the  missionaries 
of  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society.  In  1762,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Dibble  writing  to  the  Secretary  of  that  Society,  says: — "I 
preached  a  lecture  at  Croton,  where  I  found  no  settled  teacher 
of  any  denomination  :  but  sundry  heads  of  families,  professors 
of  our  Church,  and  many  others  well  disposed  towards  it."  So 
that  ninety-one  years  have  elapsed  since  the  prayers  of  our 
venerable  Church  were  first  offered  in  this  vicinity. 

For   some  time  previous  to   1833  there. had  been  occasional 
services  held  at  some  private  house,  when  a  clergyman  of  the 
Church  happened  to  be  in  the  village  of  Sing  Sing  or  its  vicin- 
ity.    In  1833,  there  was  reported   to  be  twenty-four  heads  of 
families,  with  an  aggregate  of  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  souls 
belonging  to  the  Episcopal  Church.     "  At  a  meeting  of  Episcopa- 
lians, residing  in  the  village  of  Sing  Sing   and  vicinity,  held 
at  the  house  of  Mr.  Caleb  Bacon,  on  the  3d  of  October,  1833,  it 
was  resolved  to  form  themselves  into  a  society  for  the  purpose, 
under  Divine  favor  and  assistance,  of  forming  a  Church  in  said 
village  ;    and  that  we  will  communicate  with   our  Episcopal 
friends  and  neighbors  on  the  subject,  and  urge   by  our  best  en- 
deavors their  co-operation  in  the  good  work."  It  was  also  agreed  to 
write  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jelliff,  of  North  Salem,  who  had  expressed 
a  wish  to  aid  them  in  establishing  a  Church.     Upon  the  27th  of 
October,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Crosby  officiated  in  the  house  of  Mr.  Ba- 
con, and  on  the  3d  of  November  following,  divine  service  hav- 
ing been  read  by  James  Smith,  Esq.  notice  was  given  of  their 
intention  to  organize  a  parish  according  to  law.     At  a  meeting 
of  the  congregation  held   November   11th,   1833,    present,   the 
Rev.  A.  H.  Crosby  of  Yonkers;  the   following  gentlemen  were 
elected  the  first  officers  of  this  parish,    viz  :  Caleb  Bacon  and 
George  William  Cartwright,  churchwardens.     Robert  Wiltse,  Jo- 
seph Hunt,  John  Strang,  Jacob  C.  Arthur,  Peter  R.  Maison,  John 
Barlow,  William  Dargue  and  James  Smith,  vestrymen.     At  a 

42 


658  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

vestry  meeting,  held  Dec.  4th  of  that  year,  a  committee  reported 
that  they  had  wailed  on  the  Rev.  iVJr.  Harris  of  White  Plains, 
who  expressed  a  perfect  willingness  to  officiate  for  the  Church 
on  that  part  of  the  Lord's  day,  when  his  service  was  not  required 
in  his  own  congregation.  At  the  same  time  it  was  resolved  to 
memorialize  the  rector,  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  of  Trinity 
Church,  New  York,  for  aid  by  funds,  in  the  erection  of  a 
church  edifice.  In  this  memorial,  which  was  presented  by  James 
Smith.  Esq.,  the  petitioners  state  among  other  matters : — 
"  That  some  years  past,  an  old  Episcopal  church  in  this  neigh- 
borhood, at  New  Castle,  (of  wood)  falling  to  decay,  its  congrega- 
tion was  broken  up,  and  some  of  the  descendants  of  its  mem- 
bers have  become  Quakers,  notwithstanding  portions  of  them 
have  until  lately  adhered  to  the  forms  of  the  Episcopal  Church  ; 
and  your  memorialists  entertain  a  hope  that  with  the  blessing  of 
Divine  Providence,  by  the  means  of  the  establishment  of  a 
church  at  Sing  Sing,  many  of  the  descendants  of  this  ancient 
congregation  may  be  brought  back  to  our  Church,  &c."  Trinity 
Church  nobly  responded  to  this  call  by  an  appropriation  of 
$2000,  the  remainder  being  raised  by  public  subscription. 

At  a  vestry  meeting  held  May  12.  1S34,  it  was  resolved  to 
pr^ct  a  church  65  feet  in  length,  by  45  feet  in  breadth,  on  pro- 
perly purchased  for  that  purpose  of  Richard  Austin.  Subse- 
quently $500  in  this  County  was  obtained  towards  the  building 
of  it.  Upon  the  6th  of  August  of  that  year,  it  was  also  unani- 
mously resolved  to  invite  the 

REV.  EDWARD  N.  MEAD,  A.  M. 

to  become  rector  of  this  parish.  At  the  Convention  of  this  Dio- 
cese held  the  first  Thursday  in  October  following,  this  church  was 
admitted  into  union  with  the  Convention.  In  November,  1839, 
Mr.  Mead  resigned  the  rectorship  of  the  parish  and  was  suc- 
ceeded on  the  16th  of  December  by  the 

REV.  CHARLES  HENRY  HALSEY,  A.  M. 

who  entered   ubon  the  duties  of  the  recorship  May  1st,  1840. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  OSSIN-ING.  659 

n  Juno,  1841,  the  churchwardens  and  vestrymen  purchased  a 
convenient  house  and  lot  of  one  acre,  as  a  parsonage,  for  the  sum 
of  $3150.      On  the  16th  of  October,  1846,  the 

REV.  CHARLES  TOMES 

was  called  to  the  rectorship.  This  gentleman  was  succeeded 
on  the  20th  of  December,  1847,  by  the 

REV.  WILLIAM  F.  HALSEY, 

the  present  incumbent. 

THE  CHURCH. 

St.  Paul's  Church,  which  is  situated  in  the  village  of  Sing 
Sing,  is  a  beautiful  gothic  structure  of  native  marble.  The 
tower  is  built  of  the  same  durable  material  and  supported  by 
single  buttresses.  It  is  intended  to  finish  the  whole  with  a 
plain  marble  spire  and  pinnacles.  Beneath  the  body  of  the  edi- 
fice is  an  extensive  basement,  containing  lecture,  vestry  and 
robing  rooms.  Above  the  tower  entrance,  a  neat  escutcheon 
bears  the  following  inscription  : — "  St.  Paul's  Church,  A.  D. 
MDCCCXXXV."  The  interior,  which  has  recently  under- 
gone considerable  improvement,  is  neat  and  appropriate. — 
The  altar  and  font  are  of  polished  marble,  richly  carved,  the  lat- 
ter presented  by  Miss  Ludlow.  The  communion  service  con- 
sisting of  a  flaggon,  two  chalices  and  paten,  were  the  gift  of 
Mrs.  Jacob  C.  Arthur.  The  tower  contains  a  large  bell  manu- 
factured by  "A.  Meneely,  West  Troy,  N.  Y.,  1835,"  which 
weighs  ISOOlbs.  It  was  purchased  by  the  vestry  at  a  cost  of  $450. 
The  deep  tones  of  this  powerful  bell  can  be  heard  for  many 
miles  over  the  adjoining  hills. 

The  corner  stone  of  this  edifice  was  laid  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  B.  T- 
Onderdonk,  November  6th,  1834,  in  the  presence  of  a  large  con- 
course of  people  ;  on  which  occasion  an  address  was  delivered 
by  the  Rev.  E.  N.  Mead,  rector  of  the  parish.  The  Rev.  Peter  S. 
Chauncey,  of  Rye,  was  also  present,  and  assisting.     On  the  3d 


660  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

of  April,  1835,  the  corner  stone  was  finally  closed  up  and  built 
upon.  In  the  cavity  of  the  stone  was  deposited  a  Bible  and 
Book  of  Common  Prayer,  as  an  evidence  that  the  Church  is 
spiritually  founded  upon  "  Apostles  and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ 
himself  being  the  chief  corner  stone  ,"  also  the  canons  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
journals  of  General  and  Diocesan  Conventions,  with  other  jour- 
nals and  pamphlets,  together  with  a  glass  bottle  closed  and 
sealed,  containing  among  many  other  things  a  parchment,  on 
which  was  the  following  inscription  : — 

St.  Paul's  Church,  incorporated  Nov.  11th,  1833. 

Rev.  Edward  Nathaniel  Mead,  A.  M.,  rector. 

George  W.  Cartwright  and  Caleb  Bacon,  Churchwardens. 

John  Strang,  Peter  R.  Maison,  William  Dargue,  Jacob  C. 
Arthur,  John  Sing,  John  Barlow,  Joseph  Hunt  a^nd  Robert  Wil- 
tse,  vestrymen. 

James  Smith,  clerk  of  the  vestry. 

Samuel  C.  Nichols,  Superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

Mrs.  John  Strang,  superintendent  of  the  female  department. 

Carman  Nichols,  secretary  ;  Robert  Wiltse,  Treasurer  ;  John 
Barlow,  Librarian. 

Building  committee,  Jacob  C.  Arthur,  Joseph  Hunt,  George 
W.  Cartwright.  John  Strang  and  John  Sing. 

Led  yard  H.  Halsey,  Builder. 

Calvin  Pollard,  Architect. 

Paul  McCord,  Superintendent. 

On  Wednesday,  July  6th,  1836,  it  was  consecrated  and  set 
apart  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God  by  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese 
in  the  presence  of  a  large  congregation.  There  were  the  follow- 
ing clergymen  also  present :  the  Rev.  E.  N.  Mead,  rector,  the 
Rev.  William  Creighton,  D.  D.  and  the  Rev.  William  Cooper 
Mead.  D.  D.,  also  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Zachariah  Mead,  P.  S. 
Chauncey.  Alexander  H.  Crosby,  John  F.  Messenger,  Samuel 
F.  Nichols,  Francis  H.  Cummings,  William  F.  Walker,  Lawson 
Carter  and  Robert  W.  Harris. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  03SIN-ING. 
NOTITIA   PAROCHIALIS. 


661 


Since  the  organization  of  the  parish  in  1833  to  1853,  there  have 
been  two  hundred  infants    baptized,  and    fifty-three  adults. 
In  1840,  Communicants,  58.     Baptisms,  — 
In  1S53,  «  82,  «  12. 

The  No.  of  Catechists  belonging  to  this  parish  in  1853,  were 
g  ;  Catechumens,  50  ;   No.  of  Families,  66  ;  No.  of  Souls,  268. 
The  population  in  1840,  prior  to  division,  was  7307. 
"  "      1852,  was  4200. 

WARDENS  OF  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,  SING  SING. 

From  1833  to  1853. 

George  W.  Cartwright,  Caleb  Bacon. 

John  Strang,  Robert  Wiltse. 

John  J.  Kane,  Samuel  C.  Nichols. 

Marlborough   Churchill. 


St.  Paul's  Church,  Sing  Sing. 


662 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


All  Sainfs,  Briar  Cliff. 

The  Chapel  of  All  Saint's,  Briar  Cliff,  belongs  to  this  parish. 
"  This  small,  but  beautiful  stone  sanctuary  is  situated  at  the 
junction  of  two  roads,  on  a  height  behind  Sing  Sing,  command- 
ing one  of  the  finest  views  along  the  whole  length  of  the  Hud- 
son. That  noble  river  lies  in  the  distance,  like  a  lake  of  ten 
miles  extent,  while  the  villages  which  dot  its  banks,  and  the 
high  rocks  which  border  its  western  shore,  and  the  plains  and 
hills  that  lie  still  beyond  in  the  back  ground  are  spread  out  like 
a  map  beneath  the  eye  of  the  spectator,  standing  by  the  porch 
or  bell  gable  of  the  building.  It  seems,  indeed,  an  house  of 
prayer  and  praise  set  where  the  glorious  works  of  God  are  full 
in  view  to  stimulate  devotion,  and  like  Balaam  on  Peor.it  looks 
down  on  a  goodly  scene  of  valleys  spread  out  and  gardens  by 
the  river  side."  Struck  with  the  beauty  of  this  spot,  the  late 
Rev.  John  Ogilby,  D.  D.  had  selected  it  as  a  retreat  for  himself 
and  his  family.  Before  his  own  dwelling  was  completed,  the 
thought  entered  his  mind  that  an  humble  way-side  sanctuary 
in  which,  when  not  occupied,  he  might  officiate,  would,  prove  a 
blessing  to  the  neighborhood.  By  the  help  of  generous  friends 
in  the  vicinity,  and  elsewhere,  he  was  enabled  to  carry  on  the 
good  work  near  to  its  completion,  when  disease  interrupted  him, 
and  death  stayed  his  hand.     His  friends  knew  that  the  use  of 


AND  CHURCH  OF  OSSIN-ING. 


G63 


the  chapel,  if  completed,  would  depend  upon  the  family  by 
whom  the  place  was  occupied.  Happily  it  has  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  those  whose  hearts  are  devoted  to  the  Church.  With 
ready  zeal  they  entered  into  this  good  design.  So  that  it  might 
not  be  stayed,  Henry  McFarlan,  Esq.  of  New  Jersey,  offered  to 
bear  the  whole  expense  of  its  completion.  This  work  was  ac- 
complished under  the  direction  of  Messrs  Dudley  &  Condit,  in 
a  manner  which  reflects  the  greatest  credit,  upon  their  skill  and 
taste,  in  all  which  they  were  most  devotedly  seconded  by  F. 
Mc  Farlan,  Esq.  of  Briar  Cliff. 


Ground  Plan  of  All  Saint's,  Briar  Cliff. 

This  edifice  was  first  opened  for  divine  service  on  Wednes- 
day, December  13th,  1854,  on  which  occasion  a  number  of  the 
clergy  were  in  attendance.     The  following  notice  of  this  event 

is   taken   from   the   Banner  Lof  the  Cross,  tor  December  23d: 

"  Morning  Prayer  was  commenced  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Morton,  of 
Philadelphia,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Higbee,  of  New  York,  and  the  Rev. 
W.  H.  Williams,  of  Ridgefield,  Conn.,  reading  the  Lessons,  and 
the  Rev.  W.  F.  Halsey,  of  Sing  Sing,  offering  the  Litany.  The 
Rev.  A.  B.  Carter,  of  Yonkers,  read  the  Ante-Communion  ser- 
vice, in  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Johnson,  of  New  Jersey,  read  the 
Epistle. 

The  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Frederick  Ogilby, 
from  the  text,  1  Samuel,  vii.- 12.  The  Holy  Communion  was 
then  administered  to  a  large  number  of  Communicants,  by  the 


6(54  HISTOEY  OP  THE  PARISH 

Rev.  Dr.  Creighton,  of  Tarrytown.  There  were  present  of  the 
clergy  also,  the  Rev.  Harry  Finch,  of  New  Jersey,  and  the  Rev. 
Messrs  Geer,  Spencer,  Olssen  and  Lnndy,  of  New  York.  AU 
but  two  were  in  surplices,  and  filled  the  deep  chancel,  giving 
great  effect  to  the  services. 

"  The  furniture  of  the  church  is  most  appropriate  ;  the  wood 
used  is  yellow  pine,  oiled  and  varnished.  All  the  windows  are 
of  stained  glass,  by  Gibson,  of  Philadelphia — that  in  the  chan- 
cel being  very  beautiful.  It  is  intended  as  a  Memorial  Window 
of  Dr.  Ogilby,  and  bears  most  beautifully  inscribed  upon  it  those 
three  articles  of  the  creed  : — '  I  believe  in  the  Communion  of 
Saints,  the  Resurrection  of  the  Body,  and  Life  everlasting.'  In 
the  centre  light  of  the  Triplet  are  the  Cross,  the  emblems  of  the 
Communion,  and  the  letters  I.  H.  S.  At  the  base  of  the  win- 
dow is  the  inscription, '  In  Memoriam  FunditorisJ  This  win- 
dow is  the  gift  of  A.  Beresford  Hope,  Esq.,  a  noble  layman  of 
the  Church  of  England,  and  a  warm  friend  of  Dr.  Ogilby,  thus 
happily  expressing  '  the  Communion  of  Saints.'  The  font,  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  we  have  ever  seen,  was  given  to  Dr. 
Ogilby  by  a  devoted  Christian  lady.  The  communion  service 
was  presented  by  a  family  of  St.  James'  Church,  Philadelphia, 
through  the  Rev.  Dr.  Morton.  Well  might  this  be  called  a 
Temple  of  gifts,  realizing  the  doctrine  which  its  name  asserts." 

The  Reverend  Founder,  who  died  in  1851,  was  buried  in  the 
grave  yard  of  St.  John's  Church,  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.  In  a  quiet 
corner,  of  which  there  stands  at  the  head  of  a  lowly  mound,  a 
chaste  and  solid  head  stone,  surmounted  by  a  beautiful  wheel- 
cross,  and  bearing  in  the  old  English  character  the  following 

inscription  : — 

To 
The  beloved  memory 
of 
JOHN  DAVID    OGILBY,  D.   D., 
Prof,  of  Eccl.  History, 
Who  entered   into   his  rest 
February  ii,  Mdcccli, 
At  the  age  of  forty  years, 
after  a  life  of  unreserved  devotion  to  Christ  and  His  Church. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 

OP 

UPPER  GREENBURGH. 


This  parish  was  first  organized  by  the  Rev.  William  Creigh- 
ton,  D.  D.  in  August,  1836.  At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation, 
held  on  the  8th  of  that  month  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected 
officers  :  Nathaniel  B.  Holmes  and  Steuben  Swartout,  church- 
wardens. Jonathan  S.  Odell,  Joseph  M.  Scribner,  Stephen  B. 
Tompkins,  Pierce  Wildey,  Jasper  Odell,  Henry  L.  Haight, 
Nathaniel  Bayles  and  Charles  B.  White,  vestrymen. a  A 
church  edifice  was  commenced  in  the  autumn  of  that  year  and 
consecrated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  by  the  name  and 
style  of  Christ  Church,  Tarrytown,  by  Bishop  Onderdonk 
in  September,  1837.  The  whole  structure,  a  neat  gothic  edi- 
fice of  brick,  is  valued  at  $8000.  The  Rev.  William  Creigh- 
ton,  D.  D.  is  the  first  and  present  incumbent. 

On  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  of  Christ  Church  are  two 
marble  slabs  bearing  the  following  inscriptions  : — 

In  memory  of  Catharine  Kemble,  born  October,  1765,  and 
departed  this  life  the  16th  day  of  July,  A.  D.  1844.  Sister  to 
Maria  Philipse.     "  In  death  they  were  not  divided." 

In  memory  of  Maria  Philipse,  (relict  of  Frederick   Philipse) 

»  County  Rec  Religious  Soc.  Liber.  B.  p.  42. 


666  HISTORY  OF'THE  PARISH 

of  Philipstown,  Putnam  County,  New  York,  who  departed  this 
life  the  13th  day  of  November,  A.  D.  1839,  aged  68  years. 
Her  remains  rest  within  the  walls  of  the  tower  of  this  church. 
"  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed."     Prov.  x.  7. 

The  No.  of  baptisms  for  this  parish  in  1853,  were  7.     Com" 
municants,  49.     Catechists.  4.     Catechumens,  40. 


Christ  Church,  Tarrytown' 


HISTORY 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OP 


SOMEKS. 


Prior  to  the  year  1788,  this  parish  formed  a  part  of  the  town- 
ship of  Hanover,  within  Cortlandt's  manor.  Upon  the  7th  of 
March,  1788,  it  was  independently  organized  under  the  title  of 
Stephentown,  a  name  adopted  out  of  compliment  to  Stephen 
Van  Cortlandt,  (fourth  son  of  the  Hon.  Stephanus  Van  Oortlandt, 
first  lord  of  the  manor  of  Cortlandt)  one  of  its  principal  propri- 
etors. The  present  name  was  bestowed,  A.  D.  1808,  in  honor, 
it  is  said,  of  Captain  Somers,  one  of  the  gallant  heroes  of  the 
Tripolitan  war. 

Under  the  Mohegan  Indians,  Somers  formed  an  appendage  to 
the  great  territory  of  Amaghpogh  or  Ammawalk.  In  1699  a 
deed  for  this  tract  was  executed  by  Sachima  Wicker,  the  chief 
of  the  Kightawonck  tribe,  (within  whose  limits  Amaghpogh 
was  comprehended)  to  Stephanus  Van  Cortlandt. 

This  parish  may  fairly  be  considered  a  daughter  of  St.  James' 
Church,  North  Salem,  as  the  families  which  formed  its  nucleus 
were  for  many  years  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  rectors  of 
St.  James',  and  attended  service  at  Salem. 


668  HISTORY  OJ1  THE  PARISH 

So  early  as  the  year  1804,  the  Episcopalians  of  North  Salem 
and  Stephentown  united  with  those  of  Bedford  and  New  Cas- 
tle in  calling  a  minister.  It  appears  too  that  the  Episcopalians  of 
Stephentown  contributed  liberally  towards  this  object,  consider- 
ing their  number  and  estates.  Upon  the  4th  of  September, 
1804,  the 

REV.  GEORGE  STREBECK 

was  called  to,  and  accepted  the  rectorship  of  the  united  parishes. 
The  next  year,  however,  he  resigned  his  charge,  and  accepted 
a  call  to  the  rectorship  of  St.  Stephen's  Church,  New  York. 
For  some  time  after  1805,  the  Churchmen  of  this  section  o£ 
country  were  favored  with  the  occasional  ministrations  of  the 
Rev.  R.  C.  Moore,  the  late  pious  and  beloved  Bishop  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  many  other  respectable  and  laborious  clergymen.  In 
1807  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Rogers.  Moore  and  Wilkins  were  appointed, 
agreeaoly  to  the  sixth  canon  of  the  Diocese  of  1806,  "to  sup- 
ply North  Salem  and  the  other  congregations  in  Westchester 
County,  on  a  Sunday,  or  some  days  in  the  same  week  of  their 
appointments  at  Bedford."  Occasional  services  were  also  per. 
formed  here,  by  other  clergymen.  In  his  parochial  report 
for  1S08,  Mr.  Rogers,  rector  of  Rye,  observes: — "Agreeably  to 
appointment  I  visited  and  performed  divine  service  twice  at 
Bedford,  once  at  Stephentown,  and  qnce  at  New  Castle.  And 
although  the  congregations  in  those  places  appear  to  labor  un- 
der discouragements,  having  no  settled  minister,  yet  many  are 
friendly  attached  to  our  Church,  and  are  highly  gratified  with 
even  the  occasional  services  which  we  are  able  to  afford  them." 
Previous  to  the  erection  of  the  parish  church  in  1842,  Episco- 
pal services  were  held  usually  in  an  edifice  erected  by  the  lib- 
erality of  persons  belonging  to  the  various  religious  societies 
and  others,  possessing  no  denominational  connection,  under  the 
name  of  the  union  meeting  house.  Before  the  26th  of  January 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1835,  the  present  parish  was  organized 
under  the  rectorship  of  the 

REV.  ALEXANDER  FRASER. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  SOMERS.  669 

About  this  time,  arrangements  were  made  for  disposing  of 
the  interest  which  the  Episcopal  party  held  in  the  union  meet- 
ing house  and  parsonage,  and  building  a  church  for  themselves. 
This  was  quickly  effected  through  the  active  and  zealous  exer- 
tions of  the  vestry,  to  whose  liberality,  together  with  that  of 
several  other  individuals'of  the  neighborhood,  friendly  to  the  un- 
dertaking, the  parish  is  indebted  for  its  present  commodious  and 
beautiful  church.  Mr.  Fraser  was  the  son  of  Donald  Fraser,  a 
descendant  of  Hugh  Fraser,  (Lord  Lovat)  chief  of  the  clan 
Fraser,  and  Anne  Bowman,  a  daughter  of  the  Haliburton's  of 
Kirkleston,  in  Aberdeenshire.  He  was  born  at  Lachilee,  in 
Forfarshire,  A.  D.  1802;  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  removed  into 
England,  where  he  received  the  principal  part  of  his  education. 
"  Early  in  life,  religiously  inclined,  he  became,  when  arrived  at 
man's  estate,  a  preacher  among  the  Primitive  Methodists,  in 
which  capacity  he  officiated  in  London  and  other  places  in  Eng. 
land,  and  with  much  acceptance,  for  several  years.  About  1831 
he  came  to  this  country,  intending  to  pass  through  to  Canada, 
where  he  purposed  to  take  holy  orders  in  the  Church,  and  to 
serve  as  a  missionary.  His  plans,  however,  were  so  far  changed 
that  he  married  in  New  York,  and  was  ordained  Deacon  by 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Benjamin  T.  Onderdonk,  in  St.  Peter's  Chapel, 
New  York,  on  the  30th  of  June,  1833.  He  then  became  a  mis. 
sionary,  first  in  what  is  now  the  Diocese  of  Western  New 
York,  and  afterwards  at  North  Salem  and  Somers,  &c. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  holy  order  of  priests  by  Bishop  Onderdonk 
in  St.  James'  Church,  North  Salem,  May  8th,  1835,  and  the 
next  year  transferred  to  New  York  city,  as  a  missionary  of  the 
New  York  Protestant  Episcopal  Missionary  Society,  which  office 
he  held,  first  as  missionary  in  charge  of  the  church  of  the  Holy 
Evangelists,  and  afterwards  as  missionary  at  large  for  four  years  ; 
m  both  of  which  capacities  he  laboured  with  great  zeal  and 
diligence.  As  illustrative  of  his  deep  interest  in  his  pastoral 
duties,  and  of  his  mental  powers,  it  may  be  mentioned,  that 
while  missionary  in  New  York,  finding  that  he  was  brought  in 
contact  with   many  French  and  German   emigrants,  he  made 


670  HISTORY  OF  THE  TAE1SH 

himself  at  once  sufficiently  acquainted  with  those  languages  to 
converse  and  officiate  therein. 

"  The  remaining  years  of  his  life  were  most  usefully  passed  as 
the  minister  of  St.  Philip's  Church,  New  York,  and  one  of  the 
chaplains  of  the  Sailor's  Snug  Harbor,  Staten  Island."a  He  died 
in  New  York  city,  on  Friday,  May  26th,  1848,  in  the  48th  year 
of  his  age.  His  remains  were  interred  in  Greenwood  cemetery. 
Upon  the  removal  of  Mr.  Fraser  in  1836,  occasional  services 
were  held  here  by  the  Rev.  Alfred  H.  Partridge.  In  September, 
1842,  he  reported  to  the  Convention  that  : — "  In  addition  to  the 
usual  services  of  the  Church  in  Bedford,  he  had  officiated  at 
Somers  once  a  month  until  the  consecration  of  the  church, 
which  took  place  on  the  19th  of  January  last ;  and  since,  every 
afternoon  until  Easter."  Mr.  Partridge  has  labored  in  this  par- 
ish (at  different  periods)  for  five  years,  and  was  under  God  the 
means  of  raising  the  Church  to  its  present  prosperous  condition. 
Mr.  Fraser  was  succeeded  by  the 

REV.  DAVID  H.  SHORT, 

who  entered  upon  the  duties  of  this  parish,  in  connection  with 
St.  James'  Church,  North  Salem,  on  the  first  Sunday  after  Eas. 
ter,  A.  D.  1842.  He  reported  six  baptisms  and  thirteen  commu- 
nicants. Mr.  Short  removed  to  Connecticut  in  1S44,  and  was 
succeeded  by  the 

REV.  SAMUEL  C.  DAVIS, 

who  took  charge  of  the  parish  about  Easter  of  that  year.  He 
makes  report  to  the  Diocesan  Convention,  of  twelve  baptisms 
and  twenty- two  communicants,  and  observes  : — "  That  a  grad- 
ual advancement  in  the  temporal  and  spiritual  interests  of  the 
parish,  calls  for  devout  gratitude,  and  encourages  to  greater  zeal 
and  faithfulness."     Upon  his  removal  in  1846,  the 


RSee  New  York  Churchman  for  June  10th,  1848. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  SOMERS.  671 

REV.  ALFRED  H.  PARTRIDGE 
officiated  here  until  the 

REV.  JOHN  WELLS  MOORE, 

the  present  incumbent  was  called  to  the  rectorship  in  1851. 
THE  CHURCH. 

The  Episcopal  Church  of  St.  Luke,  occupies  a  fine  situation 
on  the  plain,  which  combining  with  the  beautiful  range  of  hills 
to  the  west  and  north  furnishes  a  pleasing  view.  It  is  a  very 
handsome  edifice  of  wood,  in  the  Grecian  style,  with  a  stone 
basement  beneath.  The  front  presents  a  lofty  portico,  supported 
by  Ionic  columns  ;  the  roof  is  surmounted  with  a  low  tower, 
which  contains  a  fine  toned  bell.  The  interior  is  very  hand- 
somely fitted  up,  and  reflects  much  credit  on  the  parish.  This 
building  was  consecrated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  on 
the  19th  of  January,  A.  D.  1842,  by  Bishop  Onderdonk.  It  had 
been  previously  incorporated  upon  the  28th  of  February,  1835. 
Isaac  Purdy  and  Frederick  J.  Coffin,  churchwardens.  Thad- 
deus  Barlow,  Aaron  Brown,  William  Marshall,  Gerard  Crane, 
Edwin  Finch,  Charles  Wright,  William  Turk  and  Ray  Tomp- 
kins, vestrymen. 

The  organ  was  presented  by  the  ladies.  The  communion 
service,  which  is  of  silver,  and  very  handsome,  was  also  given 
by  them,  and  bears  the  following  inscription  : — "  St.  Luke's 
Church,  Somers,  1843." 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIAL1S. 

1S42,  Communicants,  13,  Baptisms,    6. 

1844,  do  22,  do        12. 

1853,  do  23,  do        33. 

In  1782,  the  white  population  of  the   middle   ward   of  Cort- 

landt's  manor  was  2146. 

In  1840,  the  population  of  Somers  was  2082. 
In  1850,        do  do  do       722. 


672 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


No.  of  families  belonging  to  this  parish  in  1853.  20.     No.  of 
souls,  95.     Catechists,  5.     Catechumens,  17. 

WARDENS  OF  ST.   LUKE'S   CHURCH. 

1836  to  1840. 
Isaac  Purdy,  Frederick  J.  Coffin. 

1840  to  1848. 
Joshua  Purdy,  Charles  Wright. 

1849  to  1853. 
Thaddeus  Barlow,  William  Turk. 


St.  Luke's  Church,  Somers. 


. 


Z^Z/e 


/ 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHUECH 


Off 


MOERISANIA. 


The  manor  of  Morrisania  formerly  constituted  one  of  the  six 
precincts  of  Westchester  parish.  Its  name  being  derived  from  the 
Morris  family,  the  first  patentees   under  the  Crown.     At  the 
period  of  the  Dutch  discovery,  it  was  styled  Ranachque,  an 
aboriginal  appellation,  which  doubtless  refers   to   some   object 
peculiar  to  its  geographical  locality.     The  first  grantee  under 
the  Indians  of  Ranachque,  was  Jonas  Bronck,  in  1639,  who  sub- 
sequently obtained  a  "  ground  brief"  from  the  Dutch  authorities. 
His   widow  Antonia    Shighboom,  married  Arendt  Van  Cnrler, 
who  in  165 L  transported  Bronck's  land  to  Jacob  Van  Stoll,  trom 
whom  it  passed  th  rough  several  proprietors   to  Richard  Morris. 
This  individual  was  among  the  adherents  of  Oliver  Cromwell, 
who,  by  the  restoration    of  Charles  the  Second  in  1660,  were 
obliged  to  seek  refuge  in  foreign  lands.     He  had  held  the  com- 
mission of  Captain  in  a  regiment  commanded  by  an  elder  bro- 
ther, Lewis,  in  the  army  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  having 
disguised  himself  under  the  profession  of  Quakerism,  first  took 

43 


674  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

up  his  residence  in  the  Island  of  Barbadoes,  whence  he  removed 
to  New  York.  In  167G  he  obtained  a  patent  of  Bronck's  land 
from  Gov.  Andros,  and  subsequently  a  confirmation  from  Sha- 
has  and  other  Indians.  He  died  in  1672,  leaving  a  son,  Lewis 
Morris,1  who  was  born  at  Morrisania  in  1671,  and  upon  the 
death  of  his  uncle  Lewis  in  1691,  fell  heir  to  his  estates.  On 
the  8th  of  May,  1697,  Lewis  Morris  obtained  royal  letters  patent 
from  King  William  the  Third,  erecting  Morrisania  into  a  town- 
ship and  manor,  to  be  holden  of  the  King  in  free  and  common 
soccage,  its  Lord  yielding  and  rendering  therefor,  annually,  on 
the  Feast  day  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary, 
the  rent  of  six  shillings.  Under  this  charter  the  Morris'  were 
possessed  of  the  impropriation  and  -the  patronage  of  all  and 
every,  the  church  and  churches,  erected  or  established  within 
the   manor  of  Morrisania. 

Lewis  Morris,  the  third  proprietor  of  Morrisania,  appears  to 
have  been  a  man  of  extraordinary  talents.  Chief  Justice 
Smith  informs  us,  "  that  of  all  the  members  of  the  New  York 
Assembly  in  1710,  Col.  Morris  had  the  greatest  influence  in  our 
public  affairs.  He  was  a  man  of  letters,  and,  though  a  little 
whimsical  in  his  temper,  was  grave  in  his  manner,  and  of  pene- 
trating parts.  Being  excessively  fond  of  the  society  of  men  of> 
sense  and  reading,  he  was  never  wearied  at  a  sitting  till  the 
spirits  of  the  whole  company  were  dissipated.  From  his  in- 
fancy he  had  lived  in  a  manner  best  adapted  to  teach  him  the 
nature  of  man,  and  to  fortify  his  mind  for  the  vicissitudes  of 
life."  In  the  year  1700,  he  was  appointed  President  of  the 
Council  of  New  Jersey,  and  subsequently  Governor  of  that  Pro- 
vince. On  the  accesssion  of  William  Burnet,  as  successor  to 
Governor  Hunter,  in  September,  1720,  Col.  Morris  received  the 
appointment  of  Chief  Justice  of  the  Province  of  New  York, 
and  became  the  chief  confidant  and  adviser  of  the  new  execu- 


a  Among  the  unprovided  brethren  of  St.  David's  College,  Pembrokeshire,  in 
1553,  was  Lewis  Morris,  one  of  the  ministers  who  received  a  pension  of  £G  13. 
Hist,  of  the  Cathedral  of  St.  David's,  by  Brown  Willis. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MORRISANIA.  C75 

live.  In  1733,  he  was  elected  a  representative  for  the  County 
of  Westchester,  in  opposition  to  the  aristocratic  candidate.  He 
was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society, 
and  took  a  very  active  part  in  promoting  its  interests.  As  early 
as  September  14th,  1700,  at  a  meeting  of  that  body,  held  in 
London,  a  memorial  was  received  from  him,  in  which  he  speaks 
of  the  several  townships  of  East  Jersey,  "as  distracted  by  al- 
most every  variety  of  dissent,  but  with  little  appearance  of  real 
religion  among  them."  He  also  suggests  some  measures  which 
may  conduce  to  the  bringing  over  to  the  Church  the  people  in 
those  countries.  "First.  That  no  man  be  sent  a  Governor  into 
any  of  these  Plantations,  but  a  firm  Churchman,  &c.  If  pos- 
sible, none  but  Churchmen  to  be  in  his  council  and  in  the 
magistracy. 

"Secondly.  That  Churchmen  may  have  some  peculiar  privili- 
ges  above  others.  This  (if  practicable)  must  be  done  by  Act  of 
Parliament. 

"Thirdly.  That  there  may  be  some  measures  fallen  upon,  to 
get  ministers  to  preach  gratis  in  America,  for  some  time,  til 
there  be  sufficient  numbers  of  converts  to  bear  the  charge,  and 
I  presume  that  may  be  accomplished  this  way  :  let  the  King, 
the  Archbishop,  the  Bishops  and  great  men,  admit  no  man  for 
so  many  years  to  any  great  benefice,  but  such  as  shall  oblige 
themselves  to  preach  three  years  gratis  in  America;  with  part 
of  the  living  let  him  maintain  a  curate;  and  the  other  part  let 
him  apply  to  his  own  use.  By  this  means  we  shall  have  the 
greatest  and  best  men,  and  in  all  human  probability,  such  men 
imust  in  a  short  time,  have  made  a  wonderful  progress  in  the 
conversion  of  these  countries,  especially  when  it  is  perceived 
the  good  of  souls  is  the  only  motive  to  this  undertaking.""- 

About  the  same  time  he  informs  the  Society  that : — "  The 
want  of  a  Bishop,  and  exorbitant  power  of  the  several  Gover- 
nors of  the  PI  ntations  are  great  hindrances  to  the  propagation 
of  the  Gospel." 


■  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  106.  (Hawks.) 


676  HISTORY  OF  THE   PARISH 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  his  next  communication 
to  the  Secretary  : — "I  have  used  some  endeavours  to  persuade 
the  Dutch  in  my  neighborhood  into  a  good  opinion  of  the 
Church  of  England,  and  have  had  that  success,  that  they 
would,  I  believe,  join  a  great  part  of  them  in  the  sacraments 
and  worship^ had  they  Dutch  common  prayer  books,  and  a 
minister  that  understoo  1  their  language.  I  have  taken  some 
pains  with  one  of  their  ministers,  one  Mr.  Henricus  Beyse,  and 
have  prevailed  on  him  to  accept  of  Episcopal  ordination.  1  think 
him  a  man  of  the  best  learning  we  have  in  this  part  of  the  world, 
and  I  believe  he  may  be  ranked  among  the  men  of  letters  in  the 
other,  but  I  must  acquaint  you  that. he  has  had  some  falling  out 

with  his  parishioners For  my  part  I  do  believe  he  is  most 

falsely  accused,  I  have  observed  his  life  and  have  found 
nothing  in  it  irregular  or  unbecoming  his  character.  The 
Dutch  of  best  figure  have  a  value  for  him,  and  allow  him 
to  be  the  greatest  master  of  the  Dutch  tongue  they  have 
among  them,  and  those  in  my  neighborhood  esteem  him 
very  much.  If  the  Society  think  fit  to  employ  him  I  shall  add 
to  what  they  give  £15  per  annum  for  three  years,  and  I  believe 
he  will  do  great  service,  and  I  doubt  not  you  will  find  him 
worth  your  acquaintance  and  favor.  If  the  Society  would  send 
about  fifty  Dutch  common  prayer  books,  I  believe  they  would 
sell,  and  the  money  might  be  returned  or  paid  to  their  mission- 
aries as  they  thought  proper.  This  would  be  doing  a  great 
good  at  a  cheap  rate.  This  sir.  is  what  offers  at  present  from 
Sir, 

Your  affectionat  humble  servant, 

Lewis  Morris."*1 
Colonel  Morris  was  at  this  time  one  of  the  most  influential 
freeholders  in  the  parish  of  Westchester,  and  a  liberal  benefac- 
tor to  its  church.  The  small  bell  that  recently  hung  in  the  turret 
of  St.  Peter's  was  the  gift  of  his  bounty  in  1705.  His  manor  em- 
braced a  large  portion  of  the  parish,  and  contributed  annually 

•New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  pp.  159,  160.   (Hawk*.) 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MORRISANIA.  677 

a  small  rate  for  the  support  of  the  rector  and  poor.  The  follow- 
ing extracts  are  taken  from  the  vestry  book  of  St.  Peter's  : — "  At  a 
meeting  held  by  ye  Justices,  Vestrymen  and  Churchwardens  on 
ye  17lh  of  January,  I70S-9,  it  was  ordered,  yt  the  two  Church- 
wardens for  this  ensuing  year  shall  go  to  Mr.  Morris  to  know  if 
yt  he  will  pay  his  arrearedges,  or  otherways  to  know  if  yt  he 
will  joyne  issue  with  ye  parish  to  try  ye  title  whether  his  man- 
nor  be  in  ye  parish  or  not,  and  make  return  at  ye  next  meeting.'' 
At  a  meeting  of  the  same  body  held  the  24th  day  of  January, 
A.  I).  1709-10,  &c: — "  it  being  discovered  amongst  ye  vestry- 
men, &c.  yt  sometime  since  Mr.  Lewis  Morris,  a  principal  free- 
holder of  this  parish  made  some  motion  and  overtures  of  erect- 
ing or  building  at  his  own  proper  charge  a  convenient  seat,  place 
or  pew,  in  some  suitable  part  of  ye  church  in  this  town,  for  ye 
accommodation  of  himself  and  family  ;  which  generous  offer  was 
by  some  (tho'  a  diminutive  number)  of  the  vestry  rejected :  yet 
notwithstanding  did  conclude  them  all  by  a  tame  acquiescency 
to  ye  bare  negative  voices  of  but  two  of  them,  who  not  well 
weighing  ye  consequences,  nor  seriously  considering  ye  ration- 
allity  of  the  offer  did  refuse  giving  ye  liberty  to  that  worthy 
gentleman  ;  which  ye  vestry  now  met,  having  took  into  con- 
sideration, and  seriously  reflecting  upon  ye  miscarriage  of  ye 
vestry  in  yt  particular,  (which  indeed  did  look  a  little  better 
than  black  ingratitude)  have  unanimously  (nemine  centradi- 
ccnte)  agreed  and  concluded  :  that  ye  said  Mr.  Lewis  Morris 
may  if  he  sees  cause  at  his  own  proper  cost  and  charge,  build, 
erect,  make  or  set  up  any  convenient  pew,  seat,  &c,  capacious 
enough  for  ye  accommodation  of  his  worthy  self  and  family, 
within  any  convenient  place  (as  unto  him  shall  seem  best)  of 
ye  body  of  said  church." 

Among  the  early  benefactors  to  Trinity  Church,  New  York, 
occurs  the  name  of  Lewis  Morris,  who  contributed  the  timber 
for  its  erection.  In  return  for  this  act  of  munificence,  the 
vestry  of  that  church  granted  the  family  a  square  pew.  He 
was  also  a  vestryman  from  1097  to  1700.  He  died  on  Wednes- 
day the  21st  of  May,  1746,  aged  73. 


678  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

The  following  notice  of  his  death  appeared  in  the  New  York 
Weekly  Post  Boy  for  May  26th,  1746  :— "  New  York,  May  23d, 
Wednesday  last  departed  this  life,  at  Trenton,  after  a  lingering 
illness,  in  an  advanced  age,  his  Excellency  Lewis  Morris,  Esq., 
Captain  General  and  Governor-in-Chief  of  the  Province  of  New 
Jersey." 

The  following  items  are  taken  from  the  journal  of  his  son, 
Lewis  Morris.  "  May  26th,  1746,  set  out  from  Trenton  with 
my  father's  corpse  for  Amboy  ferry  ;  got  there  that  night  about 
nine  of  the  clock.  His  corpse  was  attended  by  numbers  of  peo- 
ple, and  his  pall  was  supported  by  Messrs.  Andrew  Johnston, 
James  Hide,  Peter  Kemble,  Thomas  Leonard,  Philip  French, 
Daniel  Cox,  Philip  Kearney  and  Charles  Read.  The  corpse 
was  put  on  board  of  a  large  peri-augur,  which  came  from  Morri- 
Sania  for  that  purpose,  and  arrived  the  next  morning  at  Morrisa- 
nia,  the  wind  blowing  at  night  at  north-west  extraordinary  hard, 
and  being  cold  lay  that  night  at  the  ferry." 

"  May  29th.  My  father  was  buried  at  Morrisania  in  a  vault 
built  by  directions  in  his  will.  The  materials  and  workman- 
ship came  to  £10  6  7\.  His  bearers  were  the  Chief  Justice, 
Joseph  Murray,  Robert  Walters,  James  Alexander, William  Smith, 
David  Clarkson,  Abraham  Depeyster  and  Lewis  Johnston.  Dr. 
Standard  the  minister  of  the  parish  of  Westchester  attended  the 
burial  and  performed  the  service  of  the  Church." 

By  her  last  will  and  testament,  Isabella  Morris,  wife  of  Gover- 
nor Morris,  directs  that  "  her  body  be  decently  interred  in 
the  vault  at  Morrisania,  near  the  remains  of  her  deceased  hus- 
band." This  lady  was  the  daughter  of  James  Graham,  Attorney 
General  for  the  province  of  New  York. 

The  subjoined  notice  of  her  decease  appeared  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania Gazette  for  April  9th,  1752.  i:  New  York,  April  6th, 
last  Monday,  died  in  the  SOth  year  of  her  age,  and  on  Thursday 
was  decently  interred  in  the  family  vault  at  Morrisania,  Isabella 
Morris,  widow  and  relict  of  his  Excellency  Lewis  Morris,  Esq., 
late  Governor  of  the  Province  of  New  Jersey.  A  lady  endowed 
with  every  qualification  requisite  to  render  the  sex  agreeable 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MORRISANIA.  679 

and  entertaining.   Through  all  the  various  scenes  of  life,  she  was 
a  pattern  of  conjugal  affection,  a  tender  parent,  a  sincere  friend 
and  an  excellent  economist. 
She  was 

Liberal  without  Prodigality.         In   Person  venerable. 
Frugal         "       Parsimony.  "  Conversation  affable. 

Cheerful      "        Levity.  ■'  Friendship  faithful. 

Exalted      "        Pride.  Of  Envy  void. 

That  she  passed  through  life,  endowed  with  every  grace  ; 
Her  virtues,  Olint  Destruction  can't  deface, 
Or  cruel  Envy  e'er  eclipse  her  fame, 
Nor  mouldering  Time  obliterate  her  name." 

The  sons  of  the  Hon.  Lewis  Morris,  were  Lewis,  who  in- 
herited the  lordship  and  manor  of  Morrisania,  and  Robert,  who 
had  for  his  share  the  Jersey  estates. 

Lewis  Morris,  the  eldest  son  was  judge  of  the  Court  of  Admi- 
ralty, and  one  of  the  judges  of  Oyer  and  Terminer.  His  death  took 
place  in  his  sixty-fourth  year,  July  3d,  1762.  By  his  first  wife, 
Catharine,  he  had  issue  three  sons,  Lewis,  proprietor  of  old 
Morrisania,  Richard  and  Staats.  The  descendants  of  the  two  for- 
mer are  very  numerous  in  Westchester  county.  By  his  second 
wife,  Sarah  Gouverneur,  he  left  one  son,  Gouverneur,  father  of  the 
present  Gouverneur  Morris,  of  Morrisania.  Another  descendant 
in  the  fifth  generation  is  Lewis  G.  Morris,  senior  warden  of  St» 
James'  Church,  Fordham. 

Prior  to  the  Revolution,  Morrisania,  as  before  stated,  formed 
one  of  the  precincts  of  Westchester  parish,  and  in  1703  paid, 
as  her  quota,  towards  the  rector's  support  and  poor,  £3  7.  In 
1720  her  rate  was  £4  10.  Morrisania  continued  to  be  associated 
with  Westchester  in  the  support  of  a  minister  until  1S40,  when 
the  present  parochial  church  of  St.  Ann's  was  founded  by 
Gouverneur  Morris,  Esq.,  being  the  first  builling  devoted  to  reli- 
gious worship  and  instruction  ever  commenced  in  Morrisania. 

The  church  with  its  adjoining  grounds  were  munificently  con- 
veyed to  the  vestry  as  a  donation,  by  its  founder,  Gouverneur 
Morris,  Esq.,  in  a  deed  securing  the  holy  and  beautiful  house, 


680  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

which  God  had  moved  him  to  erect,  to  the  service  of  God  the 
Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  (fee. 

DEED  OF  GIFT. 

"  This  indenture  made  tliis  seventeenth  day  of  July,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  ono 
thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-one,  between  Gouvei'neur  Morris,  of  Morrisania, 
in  the  county  of  Westchester,  in  the  State  of  New  York,   Esquire,  of  the  first  part, 
and    the    Rector,    Wardens    and    Vestrymen   of  St.  Ann's    Church  at    Morrisania. 
of  the  second  part :  Wnereas  the  said  Gouverneur  Morris  with  a  view  to  the  promo- 
tion of  Religion  and  Piety,  has  at  his  own  expense   erected  on  his   estate   at  Morris- 
ania aforesaid,  a  church  or  edifice  intended  for  the  public  worship  of  God  according  to 
the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  ;  and  whereas  a  religious  society  has  lately  been  formed  and  incorporated 
according  to  law,  by  the  name  and  style  of  the  Rector,  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of 
St.  Ann's  church  at  Morrisania,  which  corporation  are  the  parties  hereto   of  the  se- 
cond part,  and  the  said  Gouverneur  Morris  has  promised  to  give  to  them  the  said  edi- 
fice with  the  land  hereafter  described  to  be  attached  thereto,  with  the  exceptions,  and 
on  the  conditions  hereinafter  expressed.     Now  this  indenture  witnesseth  that  the 
said  Gouverne      Morris,  in  consideration  of  the  premises  and  of  one  dollar  lawful 
money  of  the  United  States  of  America,  to  him  in  hand  paid  by  the  said  parties  of 
the  second  part,  the  receipt  whereof  is  hereby  acknowledged,  hath  granted,  bargained) 
sold  and  conveyed,  and  hereby  doth  grant,  bargain,  sell  and  convey  unto  the  said 
parties  of  the  second  part,  their  successors  and  assigns,  all  that  certain  piece  or  parcel 
of  land  situate  in  Morrisania  aforesaid,  whereon  the  said  church  edifice  hath  been 
erected,  and  bounded  as  follows,  to  wit :  Beginning  at  a  stake  situate  south  sixty-six 
degrees  and  forty-five   minutes,   east  sixty-eight  and  a  half  feet  from  an  iron  bolt  in 
the  south  corner  of  a  large  rock,  which  stake  is  the  south-west  corner  of  the  lot  herein 
described,  and  running  thence  north  twenty-three  degrees  and  fifteen  minutes,  east 
two  hundred  and  eighty  feet  six  inches,  thence  south  sixty-four  degrees  and  forty-five 
minutes,  east  three  hundred  and  ninety-five  feet  and  two  inches,  thence  south  thirty 
degrees  and  thirty  minutes,  west  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  feet  and  eight  inches? 
thence  south  forty-one  degrees  and. thirty  minutes,  west  one  hundred  and  forty  nine 
feet  six  inches,  thence  south   forty  degrees,    west  nine  feet  and  two  inches,  thence 
north  sixty-six  degrees  and  forty-five  minutes,  west  three  hundred  and  twenty-six 
feet  and  six  inches  to  the  place  of  beginning,  the  last  mentioned  course  being  par- 
alell  with  the  front  of  the  said  church  or  edifice,  and  distant   therefrom  one  hundred 
and  sixty-two  feet  and  eight  inches,  together  with  the  said  church  or  edifice  and  the 
hereditaments  and   appurtenances  thereunto  belonging,  but  excepting  and  reserving 
thereout  the  two  vaults  hereafter  mentioned.      To  have  and  to  hold  the  said  premises 
hereby  intended  to  be  conveyed  to  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  their  successors 
and  assigns  forever,  but  nevertheless  on  the  conditions  and  subject  to  the  stipulations 
and  covenants  herein  contained  ;  that  is  to  say,  first,  that  the  said  church  or  edifice 
shall  be  devoted  to  the  worship  of  God  according  to  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  shall  not  be  used  for 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MORRISANIA.  CS1 

any  Other  purpose.  Second,  that  such  of  the  pews  in  the  said  church  as  are  marked 
in  the  plan  hereto  annexed  with  the  word  Free,  shall  never  be  sold  or  rented,  but 
shall  remain  free,  so  that  all  persons  comming  to  the  said  church  to  worship  therein 
may  freely  occupy  and  use  the  same.  Third,  that  none  of  the  pews  within  the  said 
church  or  edifice  shall  ever  be  sold,  but  that  all  except  those  intended  to  be  free  as 
aforesaid,  may  be  rented  for  terms  not  exceeding  three  years,  and  that  the  rents  aris- 
ing therefrom  shall  be  forever  applied  for  the  support  of  the  rector  or  minister  for 
the  time  being  who  shall  officiate  in  the  said  cbuich.  and  for  no  other  purpose  except  for 
necessary  repairs  of  the  said  church,  and  for  fuel  and  other  necessary  expenses  for 
the  services  of  the  same.  And  whereas  a  vault  hath  been  constructed  which  is  nude' 
the  said  church,  and  in  which  are  interred  the  remains  of  the  mother  of  the  said 
Gouverneur  Morris  and  whereas  there  is  another  vault  within  the  boundaries  above 
described,  but  not  beneath  the  said  church,  in  which  are  interred  the  remains  o!  the 
father  of  the  said  Gouverneur  Moiris  and  of  others  of  his  family,  now  it  is  hereby 
declared  that  each  of  the  said  vaults,  and  the  ground  whereon  they  are  built,  is  hereby 
reserved  and  excepted  from  the  above  grant  and  conveyance  (and  it  is  one  of  the  ex- 
press conditions  of  this  conveyance)  that  the  said  Gouverneur  Morris,  his  heirs  and 
assigns,  shall  at  all  times  have  access  to  the  said  two  vaults  with  the  privilege  of 
opening  and  using  the  same  for  the  burial  of  their  dead.  And  whereas  the  said  Gouver- 
neur Monis  has  also  caused  to  be  constructed  under  the  said  church  other  vaults,  it 
is  also  a  condition  of  this  conveyance,  that  if  the  parties  hereto  of  the  second  part 
shall  sell  or  grant  the  right  of  using  the  same,  they  shall  invest  all  money  to  arise 
from  such  sales  or  as  compensation  for  such  grants  so  that  it  may  produce  an  annual 
interest  or  income,  and  shall  apply  such  interest  or  income  to  the  support  of  the  rec- 
tor or  minister  for  the  time  being  officiating  in  the  said  church,  and  for  no  other  pur- 
pose whatever.  And  this  conveyance  is  on  this  further  condition,  that  the  land  here- 
by conveyed,  and  not  covered  by  the  said  church,  shall  be  used  for  the  purposes  fol- 
lowing and  none  other  :  that  is  to  say,  a  part  not  exceeding  one  half  thereof  may  be 
used  as  a  site  for  a  parsonage  or  dwelling  house  for  the  use  of  the  rector  or  minister 
for  the  time  being  officiating  in  the  said  church,  and  for  a  garden  to  be  attached 
thereto,  and  tor  a  site  for  sheds  for  the  protection  of  horses  and  carriages  of  persons 
attending  worship  in  the  said  church,  and  the  residue  of  the  said  land  shall  be  used 
as  a  cemetry  or  burial  ground,  and  for  no  other  purpose,  and  it  is  a  further  express 
condition  of  this  conveyance,  that  wo  rector  or  minister  shall  be  called  or  employed  to 
officiate  in  the  said  church  during  the  life  of  the  said  Gouverneur  Morris  without 
his  previous  consent  in  writing,  and  further,  that  neither  the  premises  hereby  conveyed 
or  any  part  thereof,  nor  any  of  the  said  pews  or  vaults,  or  any  of  the  rents  or  income 
to  arise  therefrom  from  any  part  of  the  said  premises,  shall  ever  on  any  pretence,  be 
mortgaged,  or  in  any  way  or  manner  be  made  liable  for  any  debts  or  engagements 
of  the  parties  of  the  second  Dart,  or  of  their  successors.  And  the  said  parties  of  the 
second  part,  for  themselves  and  their  successors,  hereby  covenant  with  the  said  Gouver- 
ii' ur  Monis,  his  heirs  and  assigns,  that  they  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and 
their  successors,  shall  and  will  faithfully  observe  and  perform  all  and  every  rf  the  said 
conditions,  and  it  is  hereby  expressly  declared  and  agreed,  that  if  default  shall  at  any 


682  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

time  bo  made  in  the  performance  or  observance  of  any  of  the  conditions  above  men- 
tioned, or  of  the  said  covenants,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  said  Gonverneur  Morris,  his 
heirs  and  assigns  to  re-enter  into,  and  upon  tho  said  premises,  or  any  part  thereof,  in 
the  name  of  the  whole,  and  tho  same  to  have  again  repossess- and  enjoy  as  in  his 
first  and  former  estate,  anything  herein  contained  to  the  contiaiy  iheieof  notwith- 
standing. In  witness  whereof,  the  said  Gouverueur  Morris  hath  hereunto  set  his  hand 
and  seal,  and  the  parties  of  the  second  part  have  caused  their  corporate  seal  to  he 
hereunto  affixed  the  day  and  year  first  above  written. 

Gouverneur  Morris,  of  Morrisania."* 
Sealed  and  delivered  } 
in  the  presence  of  \ 

11.  M.  Morris. 

THE  CHURCH. 

The  church  of  St.  Ann's  is  situated  in  a  picturesque  position, 
near  Old  Morrisania,  on  rising  ground,  overlooking  a  clear  and 
rapid  little  stream,  hastening  to  join  the  more  expanded  waters 
of  the  East  River.  It  is  a  pleasing  gothic  structure  of  marble, 
and  comprises  a  nave  with  two  aisles,  small  recess  chancel,  and 
a  spire  over  the  southern  end.  "  It  was  erected  by  the  present 
Gouverneur  Morris,  Esq.  in  a  field  on  his  own  estate,  which  had 
for  some  time  been  hallowed,  as  containing  the  sepulchre  of  his 
parents.  In  a  vault  constructed  to  receive  his  remains,  as  ap- 
pears by  a  tablet  in  the  chancel,  the  relics  of  the  Honorable 
Gouverneur  Morris,  a  name  illustrious  in  his  country's  annals, 
were  laid  by  his  faithful  widow.  In  the  year  of  our  Lord  1837 
she  joined  him  with  the  dead,  and  over  her  remains  has  arisen 
this  beautiful  sanctuary,  which,  in  remembrance  of  her,  and 
with  respectful  regard  to  two  other  valued  relations  of  the  name, 
was  called  St.  Ann's,  from  the  blessed  St.  Anna  of  the  Gospel, 
and  consecrated  by  that  name  on  the  28th  of  June,  1841,  by 
Bishop  Ouderdonk."  The  following  notice  of  the  conse- 
cration occurs  in  the  address  of  the  Bishop  to  the  57th  Annual 
Convention  of  the  Diocese  : — •'  Monday,  28,  consecrated  St. 
Ann's  Church,  Morrisania,  Westchester  county,  of  which  the 


*  Copied  from  the  original  in  the  possession  of  Gouverneur  Morris,  Esq.,  Secretary 
and  Treasurer  of  the  vestry  of  !3t.  Ann's  Church,  Morrisania." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MORRISANIA.  683 

laying  of  the  comer  stone,  but  little  more  than  eight  months 
previously  was  mentioned  above.  In  that  short  period,  this 
substantial  marble  edifice  was  erected,  finished  and  furnished, 
in  a  beautiful,  neat  and  commodious  manner,  at  the  sole  cost  of 
Gouverneur  Morris,  Esq.  on  his  own  estate.  This  is  the  fourth 
instance  of  such  pious  munificence  in  the  history  of  our  Dio- 
cese, and  one  which  every  true  friend  to  his  country  will  de- 
light to  regard  as  eminently  worthy  of  a  name  already  illustri- 
ous in  that  country's  annals.  God  grant  that  it  may  not  be  the 
last  addition  to  the  list  which  hands  down  to  the  grateful  re- 
membrance and  veneration  of  the  Church,  the  names  of  Duane, 
Van  Zandt  and  Pierrepont.  It  were  much  to  be  desired  that  our 
wealthy  and  ^benevolent  men  would  duly  consider  the  perpetual 
and  inestimable  good  that  may  be  done  by  the  erection — and 
let  me  add,  moderate  endowment — of  churches.  Before  pro- 
ceeding to  the  consecration  of  St.  Ann's  Church,  Mr.  Morris  had 
cheerfully  given  every  security  that  the  church  should  be  per- 
manently devoted  to  the  worship  of  our  communion,  and  with 
that  view  transferred  to  a  parochial  corporation,  when  one  should 
be  there  formed." 

The  act  of  incorporation  of  this  Church  bears  date  20th  of 
July,  1S41  ;  Robert  Morris  and  Lewis  Morris,  wardens.  Jacob 
Buckhout,  Daniel  Davoe,  Benjamin  Rogers,  Benjamin  M. 
Brown,  Edward  Legget,  Lewis  G.  Morris  and  Henry  W.  Morris. 
vestrymen. 

The  interior  of  the  church  contains  a  well  arranged  chancel 
and  the  tablet  before  mentioned,  inscribed  as  follows : 

Conjugal    affection 
Consecrated  this  spot  where 

THE  BEST  OF  MEN 

was  laid  until  a  vault  could  be  erected 
to  receive 
his  precious  remains. 

A  beautiful  purple  altar  cloth  adorned  with  the  sacred  mono- 
gram, surmounted  with  the  glory,  together  with  a  silver  com- 
munion service,  consisting  of  a  flagon,  two  chalices  and  paten, 


684 


HISTORY  OF  TILE  PARISH 


have  been  recently  presented  to  the  church  by  the  ladies  of  the 
congregation.  There  is  also'an  additional  paten  which  bears  the 
following  inscription,  "  Stae.  Annas  Altaii  Voverunt  Ties,  J.  H. 
C.  Fest  Pentecost,  1742."  The  bell  is  inscribed,  "  Presented  to 
St.  Ann's  Church  by  Gouvemeur  Morris.  J.  P.  Allaire,  New 
York..  1841." 

The  chancel  screen  and  organ  were  also  furnished  by  the 
ladies.  In  a  vault  near  the  church,  repose  the  remains  of  the 
Hon.  Gouvemeur  Morris,  who  died  at  Morrisania,  November  5th 
1816,  aged  64.  On  the  west  side  of  the  church  is  a  neat  par- 
sonage. 

RECTORS  OF  ST.  ANN'S  CHURCH,  MORRISANIA. 

INST.  OR  CALL.  INCUMBENTS.        VACAT.  BY. 

1811,  Rev.  Arthur  C.  Cox,  Deacon,  resig. 

1842,  Rev.  Charles  Jones,  Presb.  resig. 

1843,  Rev.  Charles  Aldis.  Presb.  resig. 

1    Sept.   1847,  Rev.  Abraham  B.  Carter,  Presb.  resig. 

20  Mar.  1852,  Rev.  J.  Pinckney  Hammond,  Presb.  present  rector- 


St.  Ann's  Church.  Morrisania. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MORRISANIA.  685 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

1S47,      Communicants,       60.        Baptisms,  17. 
1S53,  since  division,      "      50.  "         19. 

In  1712  the  population  of  Morrisania  was  62. 
In  1S40,  Westchester,  West  Farms,  Morrisania  and  Fordham 
contained  4,154. 

In  1850,  West  Farms,  Morrisania  and  Fordham  contained 
4,268. 

WARDENS  OF  ST.  ANN'S  CHURCH. 

1841. 

Robert  Morris,  Lewis  Morris. 

1S42-9. 
Robert  Morris,  William  H.  Morris. 

1850-3. 
William  H.  Morris,  Edward  G.  Fade. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AID  CHURCH 


OP 


NOUTH  CASTLE. 


North  Castle  was  at  first  styled  the  White  Fields,  a  name  de- 
rived from  the  White  Balsam,  and  subsequently  upon  its  di- 
vision into  several  patents,  the  Liberty  of  North  Castle. 

Upon  the  19th  of  October,  1696,  Caleb  Heathcote  obtained  a 
release  from  the  Indian  Sachems,  Wampus.  Patthunck,  and 
others,  of  all  that  tract  of  land  : — "Bounded  north  by  Croton 
River,  easterly  with  Byram  River  and  Bedford  line,  northerly 
by  the  land  of  John  Harrison  and  his  associates,  and  the  line 
stretching  to  Byram  River  aforesaid,  and  westerly  by  the  land 
of  Frederick  Philipse."  The  above  sale  included  the  west 
patent  of  North  Castle.  In  1702  the  eastern  portion  of  what 
is  still  known  as  the  Middle  Patent,  was  granted  by  royal  char- 
ter to  Col.  Caleb  Heathcote  and  his  associates.  The  western 
portion  of  the  same  was  confirmed  by  Queen  Anne,  on  the  25th 
day  of  September,  1708,  to  Anne  Bridges  and  her  associates. 
In  1766  a  partition  of  the  middle  and  west  patents  took  place. 

The  settlement  of  North  Castle  was  commenced  about  1752, 


AND  CIIURCII  OF  NORTH  CASTLE.  687 

principally  by  descendants  of  the  Long  Island  Quakers,  and  a 
few  Churchmen,  who  gave  it  the  name  it  now  bears.  At  this 
time  it  was  united  with  Rye,  and  enjoyed  with  her,  for  nearly 
sixty-two  years,  the  services  of  a  succession  of  devoted  and 
faithful  missionaries. 

Sometime  prior  to  1753,  a  site  was  selected  for  a  church 
edifice,  on  the  undivided  land  of  the  Middle  Patent,  not  half 
a  mile  from  the  spot  now  occupied  for  this  purpose,  and  was 
designated  by  the  letter  C,  inscribed  on  a  rock.  This  letter  is 
still  legible.  The  present  proprietor  of  the  farm  has  the  an- 
cient deed  for  the  lot  of  ground  in  his  possession.  For  some 
reasons,  now  unknown,  it  was  determined  to  erect  the  church 
on  another  site  (then  in  the  same  town,  now  in  New  Castle,) 
five  miles  distant  from  the  former.a  This  was  done,  and  that 
building,  being  since  taken  down,  was  called  "St.  George's 
Church.  North  Castle." 

The  Rev.  Robert  Jenney,  rector  of  Rye,  (who  first  began  to 
take  pains  with  the  people  of  North  Castle,  and  preach  among 
them)  thus  writes  to  the  Venerable  Propagation  Society,  in 
1722  : — (;  I  have  lately  been  to  a  settlement  in  the  woods,  where 
I  had  good  success,  having  baptized  a  whole  family,  parents 
and  children."     This  evidently  refers  to  the  present  parish,  for 


a  On  the  10th  of  October,  1755,  John  Hallock  "of  North  Castle  for  the  sum  of 
£10  conveyed  to  Joseph  Fowler  and  Caleb  Fowler  of  the  same  place,  "  a  certain 
piecs  of  land  lying  in  North  Castle,  bounded  as  followeth :  beginning  on  the  east 
side  of  the  highway  that  leads  from  the  said  John  Hallock's  house  to  Aaron  For- 
mau's,  sen.  at  a  certain  neck,  which  lyes  at  the  south-west  corner  of  the  said  Aaron 
Forman's  home  lot,  with  the  letter  C  cut  thereon,  and  from  thence  extending 
south  65  degrees,  easterly  or  thereabouts  along  by  the  land  of  the  said  Aaron  For- 
man's as  the  fence  now  stands  3  chains  and  50  links  (of  Mr.  Gunter's  chain)  to  a 
stake  stuck  in  the  ground,  with  stones  about  it ;  from  thence  running  south-easterly 
about  47  degrees  2  chains  to  a  marked  chesnut  tree,  standing  on  the  edge  of  the 
brook,  a  little  to  north-end  of  the  said  John  Hallock's  new  grist  mill,  from  thence 
running  west  2  chains  and  80  links  to  the  aforesaid  road,  and  from  thence  running 
something  to  the  east  of  the  north  3  chains  and  10  links  to  the  first  bound,  contain- 
ing |  of  an  acre,  &c."  Copied  from  the  original  deed  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Job 
Sands,  of  North  Castle. 


638  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

in  1728,  the  Rev.  James  Wetmore,  his  successor,  informs  the 
same  : — "  That  at  North  Castle,  a  new  settlement  in  the 
woods,  there  are  more  than  forty  families,  most  of  which  are 
unbaptized,  and  that  he  preaches  there  every  fifth  Sunday." 
At  this  period  North  Castle,  as  one  of  the  precincts  of  the  par- 
ish of  Rye,  contributed  towards  the  rector's  support  and  poor 
£3  7  0.* 

For  a  number  of  years  North  Castle  was  destitute  of  reli- 
gious privileges,  until  it  pleased  God,  through  the  faithful  la- 
bors of  the  Rev.  Robert  Harris  to  revive  His  cause  in  this  insu- 
lated portion  of  the  country.  The  following  account  of  the  or- 
ganization of  this  parish  is  taken  from  the  printed  parochial 
reports  of  1843: — "Episcopal  services  were  commenced  in  a 
school-house,  in  the  town  of  North  Castle,  in  November,  1810, 
and  were  held  here  once  a  fortnight,  until  the  Summer  of  1842, 
when  it  was  deemed  expedient  to  occupy  the  log  cabin  in  the 
village  of  Mile  Square,  in  said  town,  as  a  place  of  public  wor- 
ship. In  this  building  (eight  miles  distant  from  the  church  of 
White  Plains)  a  good  congregation  was  gathered,  consisting  of 
persons,  who,  although  strangers  to  our  services,  were,  notwith- 
standing, favorable  to  the  Church,  attentive  to  its  ministrations 
and  disposed  to  aid  in  its  establishment.  Immediately  after  the 
Convention  of  1842,  a  Church  was  organized  with  the  title  of 
'St.  Stephen's  Church,  North  Castle;'  and  it  was  de- 
termined at  once  to  erect,  with  strict  regard  to  economy,  a  neat 
and  substantial  church  edifice.  The  Lord  in  an  especial  man- 
ner blessed  our  undertaking.  Several  providential  circumstances, 
which  might  be  mentioned,  if  space  would  allow,  occurred  to 
encourage  and  aid  us.  The  work  was  accomplished  without 
delay,  and  in  a  manner  exceeding  our  most  sanguine  expecta- 
tions. A  beautiful  church  of  wood,  (42  by  36)  with  a  handsome 
tower  and  vestry-room  (12  by  18)  in  the  rear,  and  gallery  across 
has  been  thouroughly  finished  by  day's  work,  of  the  most  sub- 


Tor  a  further  account  of  this  precinct,  prior  to  the  Revolution,  see  the  parish  of 
New  Castle.     New  Castlo  was  set  off  from  North  Castle  in  1791, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  CASTLE.  689 

stantial  materials   and  workmanship,  and  completely  painted 
with  several  coats  of  paint  for  the  moderate  cost  of  $2000. 

"It  must  be  observed,  however,  that  a  small  lot  of  ground 
eligibly  situated  was  given  for  a  site,  together  with  the  timber 
for  the  frame,  and  the  drawing  of  the  materials.  The  builder 
also,  (Mr.  L.  Eggleston)  very  generously  gave  off  his  usual 
profits. 

"  The  interior  of  the  church  has  been  handsomely  furnished  by 
money  raised  by  the  Ladies'  Sewing  Society,  of  the  parish, 
which,  aided  by  a  similar  association  in  my  other  parish,  has 
furnished  blinds  for  the  windows,  and  paid  for  the  painting  of 
the  church.  (Two  gentlemen  in  New  York  presented  the 
church,  the  one.  with  a  chandelier,  the  other  with  a  pair  of 
lamps  for  the  pulpit,  very  acceptable  gifts,  both  costly  and  orna. 
mental.) 

"  Without  assistance  from  other  parishes  this  church  could  not 
have  been  built.  About  $675  were  given  by  them,  and  we  have 
returned  them  our  sincere  thanks. 

Indeed  the  undertaking  from  the  first,  has  been  one  of  a  mis- 
sionary character  ;  ministerial  services  are  rendered  gratuitously, 
and  were  extended  in  the  hope  that  a  region  destitute  of  reli- 
gious priviliges,  might,  through  the  influence  of  our  excellent 
institutions,  be  reclaimed  from  immorality  and  unbelief,  to  the 
fear  and  obedience  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  This 
hope  is  daily  confirmed." 

St.  Stephen's  Church,  North  Castle,  was  first  incorporated  on 
the  23d  of  August,  1S41 : — "  Israel  Townsend  and  Samuel 
B.  Ferris,  churchwardens.  John  Merritt,  Reuben  M.  Green, 
Lemon  B.  Tripp,  Joseph  Close,  Ziel  J.  Eggleston,  Elisha  Sutton 
Jonathan  H."  Green  and  Isaiah  Townsend,  vestrymen." 

THE  CHURCH. 

The  parochial  church  of  St.  Stephen's  is  situated  at  Armoncki 
k  on  the   road  leading  from  White  Plains  to  Bedford,  and  was 
Consecrated  September  13th,  1843,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  B.  T.  On. 
derdonk,  D.  D.,  twelve  of   the  clergy  being  in  attendance. 

44 


690 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


From  1842  to  1853,  the  Rev.  R.  W.  Harris,  D.  D.  connected 
the  rectorship  of  this  church  with  that  of  his  parish  of  White 
Plains.  To  St.  Stephen's  church  is  attached  a  glebe  of  several 
acres,  on  which  stands  the  "  Chester  Female  Institute." 

The  clergyman  now  in  charge  of  this  school,  is  the  Rev. 
Isaac  Dyckman  Vermilye,  rector  of  the  parish,  who,  as  well  as 
his  wife,  has  had  valuable  experience  in  teaching,  and  are 
both  admirably  adapted  to  the  situations  they  respectively  oc- 
cupy. 

"  The  Rev.  Mr.  Vermilye  is  now  engaged  with  every  prospect 
of  successful  labor.  The  congregation  increases,  and  under 
his  care  will  flourish.  The  present  is  with  them  an  important 
period ;  a  few  individuals  have  made  great  efforts  to  plant  our 
Church  firmly,  and  if  they  can  be  sustained  in  carrying  out 
their  judicious  plans,  the  parish  will  not  only  soon  be  beyond 
the  need  of  aid,  but  be  enabled  to  assist  others.  The  school  is 
their  reliance,  under  God,  for  sustaining  the  church,  and  for  ex- 
tending its  influence  widely  in  the  surrounding  region,  to  be 
reached  in  no  other  way." 


St.  Stephen's  Church,  North  Castle 


AND  CHURCH  OF  NORTH  CASTLE.  691 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

1844,  Communicants,  11.        Baptisms,  11. 
1853,  "  42.  »  8. 

In  1782,  North  Castle  contained  a  population  of  558  white 
inhabitants. 
In  1840,  the  population  was  2058. 
In  1850,        »  "        2191. 

The  No.  of  families  belonging  to  this  parish  in  1853,  33.    No. 
of  Souls,  133.    No.  of  Catechists,  4.    No.  of  Catechumens,  13 . 


HISTOEY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OP 


PELHAM. 


Prior  to  1788,  Pelham  formed  a  district  of  the  parish  of  West- 
chester and  a  portion  of  the  old  manor  of  that  name,  which 
originally  embraced  nine  thousand  one  hundred  and  sixty-six 
acres.  The  name  itself  is  of  Saxon  origin,  and  compounded  of 
the  two  words  Pel  (remote)  and  Ham  (mansion.)  The  former 
being  the  ancient  surname  of  the  manorial  proprietors,  affords 
us  a  very  good  reason  for  its  adoption  in  connection  with  the 
last. 

In  the  year  1642,  Ann  Hutchinson,  widow  of  William  Hut- 
chinson*1 of  Newport,  R.  I.,  fled  here  for  protection  and -com- 
menced a  plantation  on  Pelhanr  neck,  which  up  to  a  very  late 
period  was  distinguished  as  the  "  Manor  of  Ann  Hook's  Neck." 
Here  in  1643  the  Siwanoy  Indians  murdered  her  and  her  whole 
family,  consisting  of  sixteen  persons. b 


a  William  Hutchinson  came  from  England  in  1G34,  and  settled  at  Boston,  which 
he  represented  in  1G35.     He  died  at|Ne\vport,  R.  I.  in  1642. 

b  Neale's  History  of  N.  E.  vol.  i.  p.  178.  Weld's  Rise,  Reign  and  Ruin  of  the 
Antinomians. 


AND  CHURCH  OP  PELHAM.  693 

In  1654,  Thomas  Pell,  Esq.  of  Fairfield,  Conn,  purchased 
from  Wampage  and  other  Indians,  nearly  the  whole  of  the  south 
eastern  portion  of  Westchester  county,  a  part  of  which  was 
erected  by  Governor  Nicolls,  A.  D.  1666,  into  the  manor  of  Pel- 
ham.  The  proprietor  rendering  therefor,  yearly,  one  lamb  upon 
the  first  of  May,  (the  Festival  of  St.  Philip  and  St.  James)  if 
the  same  should  be  demanded. 

"  The  Pells  boast  a  very  remote  antiquity,  tracing  their  de- 
scent from  the  ancient  family  of  that  name  in  Lincolnshire,  Eng- 
land, a  branch  of  which  afterwards  removed  into  the  county  of 
Norfolk.  Of  this  family  was  John  Pell,  Esq.,  lord  of  the  manor 
of  Shouldam  Priory  and  Brookhall,  in  that  county,  who,  by  his 
will,  dated  September  26th,  1554,  required  to  be  buried  in  the 
church  of  Dersingham.a  John,  his  son  and  heir,  was  '  Steward 
or  Master  of  the  King's  cup,'  and  died  in  1607,  leaving  by  his 
wife,  Margaret  Overend,  six  sons  and  three  daughters.  One 
of  his  sons  was  John  Pell,  A.  M.  in  holy  orders,  rector  of  South- 
wyck,'Sussex,  who  died  A.  D.  1616. b  This  individual  was  the 
father  of  two  sons,  the  Rev.  John  Pell,  D.  D.  rector  of  Fobbing 
in  Essex,  and  Thomas  Pell,  Esq.  first  proprietor  of  the  manor 
of  Pelham.  The  latter  was  born  at  Southwyck  in  1608,  he  was 
'Gentleman  of  the  Bedchamber'  to  King  Charles  the  First,  and 
emigrated  to  New  England  about  1642,  in  which  year  he  ap- 
pears by  the  records  to  have  been  a  resident  of  New  Haven* 
Warmly  attached  to  the  Royal  cause  he  refused  to  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance  to  the  New  Haven  authorities0  and  removed 
to  Fairfield,  where  he  purchased  from  the  Indians,  as  before 
stated,  in  1654.  Dying  without  issue  in  1669,  he  bequeathed  his 
lands  in  Pelham,  to  his  nephew,  John,  the  only  son  of  the 
Rev.  John  Pell,  D.  D.  who  was  employed  by  Oliver  Cromwell 
as  Diplomatic  agent  to  the  Protestant  Cantons  of  Switzerland? 
and  was  afterwards  appointed  chaplain  to  the  then  Archbishop 


»  Hist,  of  Norfolk  Co.  vol.  v.  pp.  127,  128,  129. 

b  Biograpliia  Brittanica,  vol.  v. 

•  O'Ca'laghan'  Hist,  of  N.  H.,  vol.  i.  283. 


694  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

of  Canterbury.  John  Pell,  Esq.  was  born  at  London  on  the  3d 
of  February,  1643,  where  he  received  his  early  education.  Soon 
after  the  Restoration  he  was  appointed  { Sewer  in  Ordinary'  to 
King  Charles  the  Second.  Upon  the  death  of  his  uncle,  he  re. 
moved  to  this  country  and  took  possession  of  the  manor  of  Pel- 
ham  in  1670.  He  was  a  noble  benefactor  to  the  French  church 
at  New  Rochelle,  one  of  the  first  vestrymen  of  Westchester  par- 
ish, a  representative  for  the  county  of  Westchester  in  the  Pro- 
vincial Assembly,  and  for  many  years  a  Judge  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas.  He  died  intestate  in  1702,  leaving  issue  by  his 
wife,  Rachel  Pinckney,  two  sons  and  several  daughters.  His 
descendants  are  still  very  numerous  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
Upon  the  20th  of  October,  16S7,  the  lands  bequeathed  to  him 
by  his  uncle  were  by  Royal  letters  patent  erected  into  the  lord- 
ship and  manor  of  Pelham,  to  be  holden  of  the  King  in  free  and 
common  soccage,  its  lord  yielding  and  paying  therefor,  yearlyj 
on  the  Feast  day  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Blessed  Virgin 
Mary,  the  sum  of  twenty  shillings  good  and  lawful  money  of 
this  Province.  Under  this  charter,  the  Pells  were  possessed  of 
the  impropriation  and  the  patronage  of  the  church  or  churches 
erected  or  to  be  erected  in  the  said  manor.  In  16S9,  John  Pell 
and  Rachel  his  wife  sold  to  Jacob  Leisler  for  the  French  refu- 
gees, 'all  that  tract  of  land  lying  within  the  manor,  containing 
six  thousand  acres,'  which  they  subsequently  settled  and  called 
New  Rochelle.  In  this  grant  to  the  Huguenots,  John  Pell  did 
also  give  '  the  further  quantity  of  one  hundred  acres  of  land  for 
the  use  of  the  French  church  erected  or  to  be  erected  by  the 
inhabitants  ;'  whereupon  the  French  refugees  took  immediate 
possession  of  those  glebe  lands,  and  erected  a  church  at  New 
Rochelle,  which  constituted  the  only  benefice  within  the  manor 
until  1S43. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1693,  an  Act  of  Assembly  was  passed 
oy  which  the  manor  of  Pelham  was  made  one  of  the  four  pre- 
cincts of  "Westchester  parish  The  first  vestryman  elected  un- 
der this  Act,  for  the  precinct  in  1702.  was  John  Pell,  Sen.  Esq., 
and  the  quota  contributed  towards  the  rectors  support  and  poor 


AXD  CHURCH  OF  PELHi.il.  695 

of  the  parish  was  £1  13.  "  At  a  meeting  of  ye  churchwardens, 
vestrymen,  freeholders  and  parishioners  of  ye  Borrough  of  West- 
chester. Ccc.  in  Westchester,  the  10th  day  of  January.  A.  D. 
1709-10,  &c,  Mr.  Thomas  Pell  was  chosen  and  appointed 
ye  vestryman  for  ye  manor  of  Pelham."  The  quota  for  the  pre- 
cinct the  same  year  was  £3  0  0.  In  1720,  the  qui  ta  furnished 
by  Pelham  had  increased  to  £4  4  1^. 

As  early  as  1695  a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England  was 
settled  in  the  manor  of  Pelham,  but  as  the  freeholders  were  oblig- 
ed to  pay  towards  the  rectors  support  at  Westchester  appointed 
to  him  by  Act  of  Assembly,  they  were  rendered  incapable  cf 
doing  any  thing  for  their  own  pastor,  so  that  the  principal  sup- 
port which  the  three  French  ministers  of  New  Rochelle  received 
prior  to  the  Revolution,  was  derived  from  the  Yenerable  Society 
for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in   Foreign  Parts. 

In  17SS,  New  Rochelle  was  seperated  from  the  manor  of  Pel- 
ham. but  the  latter  still  remained  united  for  all  ecclesiastical 
purposes  with  the  former  until  1840,  when  the  Rev.  Robert  Bol- 
ton, rector  of  the  parish  of  Eastchester,  first  extended  his  minis- 
terial labors  to  this  town,  which  was  as  yet,  destitute  of  the  ser- 
vices of  the  Church.  At  this  time  Mr.  Bolton,  besides  his  stated 
duties  at  Eastchester,  held  a  Sunday  service  at  his  residence  in 
Pelham.  accommodating  in  the  ample  hall  a  neighborhood  pecu- 
liarly destitute  of  spiritual  culture.  Through  his  instrumentality 
a  parish  was  finally  organized,  and  the  corner  stone  of  a  church 
laid  on  his  own  estate,  Friday,  the  23th  of  April,  1S43.  being 
the  first  building  devoted  to  religious  worship  and  instruction 
ever  commenced  in  the  town  of  Pelham.  The  edifice  thus 
happily  begun  was  finished  the  same  year,  and  on  Friday,  the 
15  th  of  September,  consecrated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God, 
by  the  name  of  ':  Christ  Church,  Pelham." 

Prior  to  this  event,  the  Reverend  Founder  prepared  a  deed 
transferring  the  church,  and  the  quarter  of  an  acre  of  land  on 
which  it  is  situated,  to  a  parochial  corporation,  when  one  should 
be  there  formed,  reserving  however  six  free  seats,  the  south-east- 
ern transept  and  two  vaults  beneath  the  floor  of  the  church. 


696  HISTOEY  OF  THE  PARISH 

INSTRUMENT  OP  DONATION  OF  CHRIST  CHURCH,  PELHAM. 

f 
"  I,  Robert  Bolton,  of  the  town  of  Pelham,  county  of  Westchester  and  State   o 

New  York,  having  by  the  good  providence  of  Almighty  God  erected  in  said  town  a 
house  of  public  worship,  do  hereby  appropriate  and  devote  the  same  to  the  worship 
and  service  of  Almighty  God,  the  Father,  the  Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  according  to 
the  provisions  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Churcli  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
in  its  ministry,  doctrines,  liturgy,  rites  and  usages,  by  a  congregation  in  communion 
with  the  said  Church,  and  in  union  with  the  Convention  thereof  in  the  Diocese  of 
New  York. 

"And  I  do  also  hereby  request  theRt.  Rev.  Tredwell  Underdonk,  D.,  D.  the  Bish" 
p  of  the  said  Diocese,  to  take  the  said  building  under  his  spiritual  jurisdiction,  as 
Bishop  aforesaid,  and  that  of  his  successors  in  office,  and  to  consecrate  the 
same  by  the  name  of  Christ  Church,  and  thereby  seperate  it  from  all  unhallowed, 
worldly  and  common  uses,  and  solemnly  dedicate  it  to  the  holy  purposes  above 
mentioned. 

"And  I  do  moreover  hereby  relinquish  all  claim  to  any  right  of  disposing  of  the 
aid  building,  excepting  those  rights  reserved  in  a  certaiii  deed  conveying  the  said 
Church  to  the  rector,  wardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  same,  or  allowing  of  the  use  of 
it  in  any  way  inconsistent  with  the  terms  and  true  meaning  of  this  instrument  of 
donation,  and  with  the  consecration  hereby  requested  of  the  Bishop  of  this  Diocese. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  I,  the  said  Robert  Bolton,  have  hereunto  attached  my  seal 

and  signature  at  Pelham,  this  fifteenth  day  of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord) 

one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-three. 

Robert  Bolton."* 

This  instrument,  at  the  order  of  the  Bishop,  was  publicly- 
read  in  the  time  of  divine  service,  immediately  before  the  con- 
secration, by  the  late  Rev.  John  Milnor,  D.  D.  rector  of  St. 
George's  Church,  New  York. 

The  act  of  incorporation  bears  date  25th  of  September,  1843, 
Richard  Morris  and  Henry  Grenzebach,  churchwardens,,  Isaac 
Roosevelt,  George  F.  Mills,  John  J.  Bolton,  William  J.  Bolton, 
Peter  V.  King,  Jacob  Le  Roy,  Cornelius  Winter  Bolton  and 
Robert  Bolton,  Jun.,  vestrymen.1* 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  parish  the 

REV.  ROBERT  BOLTON 


a  Copied  from  the  original  document  in  the  possession  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  B.  T.   On- 
derdonk,  D.  D. 

b  County  Rec.  Rel.  Soc.  Lib.  B.  p.  85.     Day  of  annual  election,  Easter  Monday 


AND  CHURCH  OF  PELHAM.  697 

became  its  rector.  He  was  born  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  10th 
of  September,  1788.'  His  father  was  Robert  Bolton,  a  merchant 
of  that  city,  the  only  son  of  Robert  Bolton,  the  first  Post  Mas- 
ter of  Savannah,  and  a  grandson  of  Robert  Bolton,  senior  warden 
of  Christ  Church,  Philadelphia,  Penn.  in  1727.  The  branch  of  this 
family  to  which  Mr.  Bolton  belongs,  removed  more  than  one 
hundred  and  eleven  years  since  into  Georgia,  in  which  State 
his  father  was  born,  A.  D.  1757.  He  was  ordained  Deacon  by 
Bishop  Onderdonk  in  St.  Paul's  Church,  Eastchester,  Monday, 
25th  of  July,  1837,  and  Priest  by  the  same  Prelate  on  Sunday, 
12th  of  November  following.  In  1S44,  he  reports  to  the  Bishop 
fifteen  communicants  and  adds  : — "  The  rector  is  happy  to  re- 
port that  the  object  of  forming  Pelham  into  a  parish,  is  so  far 
accomplished,  that  a  congregation  regularly  attends,  and  gives 
hopes  that  permament  good  will  be  done  among  them."  His 
fourth  son,  the  Rev.  Cornelius  Winter  Bolton,  was  chosen  assis- 
tant minister  in  IS  17,  but  resigned  in  1850.  Mr.  Bolton  con- 
tinued rector  of  the  parish  until  1852,  when  he  resigned  his 
office.  After  a  short  interval  (wherein  the  services  of  the 
Church  were  supplied  by  the  Rev.  R.  H.  Bourne,  as  assistant 
minister)  the 

REV.  ALEXANDER  SHIRAS 

was  called  as  rector. 

THE  CHURCH. 

The  parish  church,  which  occupies  a  beautiful  situation 
near  the  East  River,  at  no  great  distance  from  the  Priory,  com- 
prises a  nave  sixty-five  feet  by  twenty-two,  with  two  small  tran- 
septal  buildings,  east  porch,  and  a  bell  turret  over  the  eastern 
gable.  It  is  constructed  of  common  granite,  in  a  very  solid 
manner. 

The  style  is  gothic,  and  may  be  called  the  transitional  second 
pointed.  The  chancel  window,  of  three  lights,  is  filled  with 
stained  glass  of  exquisite  coloring,  representing  the  adoration  of 
the  Magi,  as  described  by  the  Evangelist  St  Matthew  : — 


698  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

"  When    they    were    come    into    the    house    they  saw  the 
young  child  with  Mary  his  mother,  and  fell  down  and  worshipped 
him :  and  when  they  had  opened  their  treasures,  they  presented 
unto   him  gifts,    gold,  and  frankincense   and  myrrh."      Mat- 
thew ii.   11.     Over  this  is  a  circular  light  bearing  the  Agnus 
Dei,  with  the  appropriate  legend  : — "  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God, 
which  taketh  away  the  sins  of  the  world."    These  windows 
were  executed  and  presented  to  the  church  by  the  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Jay  Bolton,  of  Cambridge,  England.     The  northern  win- 
dow of  the  transept  bears  the  arms  of  Pell : — Ermine,  on  a  can- 
ton azure  a  pelican  or,  vulned  gules.     While  the  southern  is 
charged  with  those  of  the  Reverend  Founder : — sable,  a  falcon 
argent  beaked,  jessed,  membered  and  belled    or,  charged  on 
the  breast  with  a  trefoil,  slipped  ppr.     The  open  rafters  of  the 
church  rest  on  half  length  figures  of  angels  projecting  from 
the  wall.     The  interior  contains  the  following  monumental  in- 
scriptions:— 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of 
SARAH  WILMINGTON  NORTON, 

of  Savannah,  Georgia, 

who. died  in  Pelham  on  the  15th  of  July,  1854,  aged  17  years, 

"  Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth." 

Eccles  xii.  chap.  1  verse. 
This  tablet  is  erected  by  her  affectionate  young  friends. 

Sacred 

to  the  memory  of 

ABBY     BOLTON, 

who  slept  in  peace 

June  16th,  1849. 

She  was  the  fifth  daughter  of  the 

Rev.  Robert  Bolton, 

Founder  and  first  Rector 

of  this  Church. 

Loving  purity  from  principle 

she  courted  the  shade. 

Her  religion  dwelt  upon  the  spirit, 

and  was  sweetly  exhibited 

in  the  every- day  duties  of  life. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  PELHAM.  699 

This  is  pure  and  undented  religion. 
"  Her  God  sustained  her  in  her  final  hour, 
Her  final  hour  brought  glory  to  her  God." 

This  tablet  is  erected  by  her  friends. 

In  memory  of 

our  beloved  nurse, 

ANN    G  RIFFIN, 

who  after  twenty-four  years  of  d  rvoted  service,  fell  asleep  in  Pelham, 

August  2£  th,  1854,  aged  54. 
Well  done  thou  good  and  faithful  servant,  enter  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord." 

Matt.  xxv.  21. 

acred 
to  the  memory  of 
MRS.  MARY  ANNE  THOMAS, 

who  fell  asleep  in  Jesus, 
March  24th,  1849,  aged  36  years. 

Her  dying  words  were  : — 
"  There  is  a  Reality  in  Religion." 


Christ  Church,  Pelham, 

In  a  vault  beneath  the  chancel  repose  the  mortal  remains  of 
William  Matthew  Evans,  Esq.,  son  of  William  Evans  and  Sa- 
rah, (second  daughter  of  Robert  Bolton,  Esq.  of  Savan- 
nah, Geo.  and  Susannah  Mauve)  who  departed  this  life  in  East- 
chester,  on  the  18th  of  November,  1837,  aged  sixty-three. 


700  HISTORY  OP  THE  PARISH 

Also,  Abby  Bolton,  fifth  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Bolton 
and  Anne  Jay,  his  wife,  who  was  born  at  Henley  upon  Thames, 
Oxfordshire,  England,  February  3d,  1S27,  and  died  in  Pelham, 
June  the  16th.  1849.  Also,  her  sister-in-law,  Elizabeth  Rebecca, 
wife  of  Robert  Bolton,  Jim.  and  second  daughter  of  James 
Brenton,  Esq.,  of  Newport,  R.  I.,  who  was  born  at  Pittstown,  in 
this  State,  on  the  2d  of  August,  1814,  and  died  in  New  Rochelle 
on  the  12th  of  March,  1852. 

In  the  Roosevelt  family  vault  are  the  following :  Elizabeth 
Curtenius,  daughter  of  Peter  T.  Curtenius,  (Commissary  dur- 
ing the  Revolution)  who  died  May,  1837,  aged  80  years.  Jane 
Roosevelt,  wife  of  Elbert  Roosevelt,  and  sister  of  the  above,  who 
died  in  Pelham,  January  31st,  1S46,  aged  75.  Elizabeth  Roose- 
velt, daughter  of  Cornelius  Roosevelt,  who  died  April  25th,  1850, 
aged  84.  Mary  Eliza  Roosevelt,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Wash- 
ington Roosevelt,  and  grandaughter  of  Elbert  Roosevelt,  who 
died  August  13th,  1851,  aged  7  years. 

The  bell  weighing  1S4  lbs.  was  presented  to  the  church  by 
Lydig  Suydam,  Esq.  The  communion  plate  which  was  the  gift 
of  Mrs.  C.  L.  Spencer,  bears  the  following  inscription : — ■ 
"  Christ  Church,  Pelham,  May  11th,  1844."  A  chalice  was  also 
presented  by  the  late  Miss  Georgiana  C.  Pell,  inscribed  with  the 
appropriate  motto  : — "  This  do  in  remembrance  of  me."  This 
lovely  young  lady,  who  died  the  15th  of  November,  1851,  aged 
only  16  years,  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Pell,  Esq.  second 
lord  of  the  manor  of  Pelham.  The  marble  font  was  presented 
by  Miss  Clark,  the  chandeliers  by  Miss.  Emma  Guerard,  and 
the  service  books  by  Gerardus  Clark,  Esq.,  and  a  set  of  beautiful 
illuminated  tablets  by  John  Bolton,  Esq.  The  church  is  also 
furnished  with  an  organ  built  by  Henry  Erben,  of  .New- 
York.  In  a  small  cemetery,  at  no  great  distance  from  the 
church,  repose  the  remains  of  the  Pell  family.  The^nonumen- 
tal  inscriptions,  which  the  hand  of  Time  has  nearly  oblit- 
erated, are  as  follows  : — 

Her  lyes  Isec  Pell,  D.  Dec.  14,  No.  1748. 

Body  of  Joseph  Pell,  aged  87,  D.  1752. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  PELHAM.  701 

Here  lies  the  body  of  Salome  Pell,  born  Jan.  13th,  1750,  and 
departed  this  life  Oct.  ye  10th,  1760,  aged  1  year  8  months  and 
27  days. 

In  memory  of  Phcebe  Pell:  the  widow  of  Joseph  Pell,  she  de- 
parted this  life  on  the  22d  day  of  March,  1790  in  the  70th  year 
of  her  age. 

To  Christ  Church,  Pelham,  is  attached  a  parochial  school. 
This  building,  which  was  erected  by  public  subscription  in  1843, 
is  constructed  of  common  granite,  56  ft.  by  29,  in  the  Norman 
style,  and  serves  the  double  purpose  of  a  dwelling-house  and 
school.  The  ceiling  of  the  school  is  on  the  beams,  showing  the 
main  rafters  ;  the  windows,  which  are  faced  with  brick,  are  in 
diamond  panes  of  plain  glass.  The  eastern  triplet  contains 
some  stained  glass.    Average  number  of  scholars,  35. 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

1814,  Communicants,  15.        Baptisms,  9. 

1853,  "  47.  «         9. 

In  1712,  the  population  of  Pelham  was    62. 
In  1S40,        '    "  "  "       789. 

In  1850,  "  "  "        578. 

No  of  families  belonging  to  the  parish  in  1853,  20.  No.  of 
Souls,  130.     No.  of  Catechists,  10.     No.  of  Catechumens,  71. 


Parochial  School  of  Christ  Church,  Pelham. 


702  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

WARDENS   OF  CHRIST   CHURCH. 

1843-5. 
Richard  R.  Morris,  Henry  Grenzebach. 

1846. 
Richard  R.  Morris,  William  J.  Bolton. 

1847. 
Richard  R.  Morris,  John  Bolton. 

1848-50. 
Richard  R.  Morris,  Philip  Schuyler. 

1851-3. 
Gerardus  Clark,  Robert  Bolton,  Jr. 


.L.COLI,, 

HISTORY  . JB'KARY. 

N.YC  J 

OF  THE  y/ 


PARISH  AID  CHURCH 


OF 


WEST  FARMS. 


West  Farms  originally  constituted'  a  portion  of  the  district  of 
Westchester,  one  of  the  four  precincts  of  the  extensive  parish  of 
that  name,  and  obtained  the  appellation  by  which  it  is  still  dis- 
tinguished, prior  to  1680. 

In  1663  Edward  Jessup  and  John  Richardson,  both  of  West- 
chester, purchased  from  the  Sachem  Shawnarockett  and  other 
Indians,  "  a  certain  tract  of  land,  bounded  on  the  east  by  the 
river  Aquehung  or  Bronx,  and  on  the  west  by  a  little  brook 
called  Sackwrahung,  &c."  Upon  the  25th  of  April,  1666,  Ed- 
ward Jessup  and  John  Richardson  procured  a  patent  for  the  same 
from  Governor  Nicolls. 

Edward  Jessup,  like  most  of  the  original  settlers  of  West. 
Chester,  emigrated  from  Fairfield,  Conn.,  for  as  early  as  1653  his 
name  occurs  in  the  records  of  that  town  as  a  proprietor  of  lands 
on  Sascoe  neck.  He  died  in  1666,  and  left  issue  by  his  wife, 
Elizabeth  Bridges,  a  son  Edward,  and  two  daughters.  Elizabeth, 
the  eldest,  married  Thomas  Hunt,  patentee  of  the  Grove  Farm, 
Westchester,  from  whom  the  Hunts  of  Hunt's  Point  descend. 
John  Richardson  died  in  1679,  leaving  three  daughters  as  co- 


704  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

heiresses.     Elizabeth,  the  youngest,  married  Gabriel  L 

and  left  a  numerous  posterity,  some  of  whom  are  still  residing 

in  the  parish. 

West  Farms  was  t>ej~erated  from  the  ancient  borough  town  of 
Westchester,  and  incoirx  '-ated  on  the  13th  of  May,  1846,  by  an 
act  of  the  Legislature,  bu  it  still  remained  associated  for  all 
ecclesiastical  purposes,  with  the  parish  of  Westchester  until  1844- 
In  1842,  the  Rev.  William  Powell,  rector  of  the  parish,  reports 
to  the  Diocesan  Convention  : — "  That  divine  service  is  held  re- 
gularly at  West  Farms  every  Sunday  afternoon  in  a  school- 
house.  About  $1900  have  been  already  collected  towards  build- 
ing a  chapel  there  in  connection  with  St.  Peter's  Church." 

The  credit  of  first  attempting  the  establishment  of  an  Epis- 
copal church  in  West  Farms,  is  due,  under  God,  to  Miss  Mar- 
garet Hunt,  (daughter  of  Thomas  Hunt,  fourth  in  descent  from 
Edward  Jessup,  one  of  the  first  patentees)  a  lady  whose  intelli- 
gent zeal,  kindly  sympathy  and  untiring  benevolence,  deserve 
especial  mention.  The  work  was  undertaken  by  this  lady 
about  1838,  and  although  the  number  of  Episcopalians  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood  was  then  comparatively  small,  still  a 
considerable  interest  was  awakened  by  her  endeavors.  The 
amount  of  $2061  was  collected,  to  which  the  sum  of  $1000 
was  added  by  the  munificent  donation  of  Mrs.  C.  L.  Spencer,  to 
whose  christian  liberality,  the  congregation  is  further  indebted 
for  the  gift  of  an  organ,  a  Sunday-school  library,  and  numerous 
other  contributions  to  the  church.  Additional  aid  was  given 
by  the  following  gentlemen,  viz  :  Messrs.  Peter  Lorillard;  Jr., 
Philip  M.  Lydig,  Gouverneur  M.  Wilkins,  J.  D.  Wolf,  William 
A.  Spencer  and  others,  making  in  all  the  sum  of  $4,153  95,  the 
cost  of  the  church.  The  congregation  are  ajso  deeply  indebted 
to  Francis  Barretto,  Esq.,  of  the  building  committee,  for  his  gene- 
rous sympathy  with  the  first  projectors  of  the  church,  as  well 
as  for  his  attentive  supervision  of  the  building  while  in  process 
of  erection. 

Grace  Church,  West  Farms,  was  incorporated  upon  the  13th 
of  Dec.   1844.    »  William  A.  Spencer  and  Phillip  M.  Lydig, 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WEST  FARMS.  705 

churchwardens.       Peter    Lorillard,    Richard    Crowther,     Wil- 
liam  Bayard.  Charles  S.  Valentine,   Benjamin   Lee,  Jacob  M. 
Van  Winkle  and  William  B.  Hoffman,  vestrymen." 
On  the  3d  of  June,  1847,  the 

REV.  WASHINGTON  RODMAN 

was  unanimously  called  to  be  rector  of  the  parish. 
THE  CHURCH. 

The  parish  church,  situated  near  the  centre  of  the  village  of 
West  Farms,  is  a  beautiful  gothic  structure  of  wood,  with  a  bell 
tower  attached  to  the  north-eastern  corner.  Over  the  principal 
entrance  is  a  neat  porch.  The  corner  stone  of  this  edifice  was 
laid  on  Tuesday,  November  10th,  1846,  by  the  Rev.  Hugh 
Smith,  D.  D.,  rector  of  St.  Peter's  Church,  New  York,  on  which 
occasion  an  address  was  delivered  by  the  Rev.  J.  T.  Cushing, 
minister  in  charge  of  the  parish.  In  the  corner  stone  were  de- 
posited a  copy  of  the  New  Testament,  and  of  the  Book  of  Com- 
mon Prayer,  the  Journal  of  the  last  General  Convention  in 
1S44,  the  Journal  of  the  last  Diocesan  Convention  of  New 
York  for  1S45,  together  with  the  debates  in  the  same,  copies  of 
the  General  and  Diocesan  "Canons,  Sword's  Pocket  Almanac 
for  1S46,  Protestant  Churchman  of  the  date  of  Nov.  9th,  1S46, 
and  sundry  parish  documents,  &c.  Besides  the  officiating  clergy, 
there  were  present,  the  Rev.  William  Powell,  rector  of  St.  Peter's 
Church,  Westchester,  and  the  Rev.  Robert  Bolton,  rector  of 
Christ's  Church,  Pelham. 

On  the  2Sth  of  June,  1847,  it  was  consecrated  and  set  apart 
to  the  worship  and  service  of  Almighty  God,  under  the  title  of 
Grace  Church,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  William  Heathcote  de  Lancey, 
D.  D.,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Western  New  York.  The  con- 
secration sermon  being  preached  by  the  Rev.  Kingston  Goddard, 
rector  of  St.  John's  Church,  Clifton,  Staten  Island. 

The  bell,  cast  by  Andrew  Meneely,  of  West  Troy,  was  pur- 

45 


700  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

chased  by  subscriptions  received  principally  from  the  members 
of  the  church,  and  weighs  five  hundred  and  thirty-five  pounds. 

The  communion  plate,  which  is  of  silver,  and  of  elegant 
workmanship,  was  presented  by  Mrs.  C.  L.  Spencer.  It  con- 
sists of  a  flagon,  chalice  and  paten.  This  gift  is  in  every 
way  worthy  of  the  person,  who  has  from  the  first  organization 
of  the  parish,  nobly  and  liberally  contributed  to  promote  the 
present  and  future  usefulness  of  the  Church. 

It  is  believed  that  the  contributions  made  to  Grace  Church  by 
this  liberal  and  cheerful  giver,  are  not  exceeded  by  the  offerings 
of  an  individual  to  any  parish  in  either  the  Diocese  or  the  State. 
The  usefulness  of  both  the  church  and  the  rector,  are  singularly 
promoted  by  aid  from  this  source,  extended  not  only  to  the  sup- 
port of  the  church  itself,  but  also  to  the  fund  for  the  relief  of  the 
numerous  poor  of  the  neighborhood.  The  unobtrusiveness  which 
marks  these  acts  of  Christian  liberality  indicate  always  a  sin- 
cere desire  that  the  giver  should  remain  unknown.  The  merit 
of  faithful  history,  however,  is  to  give  the  world  the  benefit  of 
each  good  example  and  to  preserve  in  grateful  remembrance  the 
names  of  the  benefactors  of  the  Church. 

It  is  not  inappropriate  to  add  that  the  memory  of  the  late 
William  A.  Spencer,  formerly  a  captain  in  the  navy  of  the 
United  States,  and  an  early  friend  of  the  parish,  is  deservedly 
cherished  by  those  whose  connection  with  him  as  a  warden  of 
the  church,  made  them  acquainted  with  both  his  active  exertions, 
and  his  heart-felt  desires  for  its  prosperity. 

The  names  of  other  benefactors  of  the  parish  and  neigborhood, 
in  the  past  and  at  the  present,  are  P.  M.  Lydig,  J.  D.  Wolfe  and 
A.  P.  Woodruff, 

The  service  books  were  presented  by  Mrs.  David  Lydig. 

To  Grace  church,  West  Farms,  is  attached  a  parochial  school, 
consisting  of  two  stories,  25  ft.  by  50.  A  portion  of  the  build- 
ing is  used  as  a  library. 


AND  CHURCH  OF  WEST  FARMS. 
NOTITIA   PAROCHIALIS. 


707 


In  1853,  Communicants,  33.        Baptisms,  6. 
No.  of  families  belonging  to  the  parish  in  1853,  26.     No.  of 
souls,  200.     No.  of  Catechists,  14.    No.  of  Catechumens,  90. 


Grace  Church,  West  Farms. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AID  CHURCH 


OP 


SCARSDALE. 


Under  the  Provincial  Government,  Scarsdale  constituted  a 
portion  of  the  extensive  manor  of  that  name,  and  was  one  of 
the  seven  districts  of  Rye  parish.  The  name  is  derived  from 
the  Heathcote  family,  who  originally  came  from  Scarsdale, 
Derbyshire,  England.  "  More  inward,"  says  Camden,  (describ- 
ing that  part  of  Derbyshire)  "  we  see  Chesterfield  in  Scarsdale, 
that  is,  in  a  dale  enclosed  with  rocks  ;  for  rocks  or  crags  were 
called  scarrs  by  the  Saxons." 

In  1763,  Scarsdale  contributed  to  the  rector's  tax  and  poor  of 
the  parish  of  Rye,  the  sum  of  £25  4  6.  The  parochial  clergy 
appear  to  have  officiated  here  at  a  very  early  period,  as  the  Rev. 
Robert  Jenney,  writing  to  the  Bishop  of  London  in  1 724,  says  : — 
<:  I  officiate  eight  times  per  annum  at  Mamaroneck,  for  that 
place  and  Scarsdale  and  Fox's  Meadows."  In  1727  there  were 
thirty  persons  in  Scarsdale,  upon  whom  the  parochial  tax  was 
levied.  Mr.  Wetmore  in  writing  to  the  Society  in  1744  ob- 
serves : — "  I  have  a  considerable  congregation  at  the  White 
Plains  and  Scarsdale,  about  seven  miles  west  of  the  parish 
church,  which  I  also  attend  once  in  two  months." 


AND  CHURCH  OF  SCARSDALE.  709 

Religious  services  for  this  district  were  for  a  long  time  con- 
fined to  White  Plains.  In  1818  a  Sunday-school  was  first 
opened  in  a  private  family,  and  subsequently  in  the  district 
school-house.  In  August,  1849,  the  Rev.  Henry  J.  Morton,  D.  D., 
rector  of  St.  James'  Church,  Philadelphia,  first  held  services  in 
the  farm  house,  (formerly  the  residence  of  Chief  Justice  Morris,) 
after  which  the  late  Rev.  H.  L.  Storrs,  of  Yonkers,  officiated 
with  other  clergy  for  nearly  six  months  prior  to  the  call  of  a 
permanent  rector. 

Through  the  zealous  efforts  of  William  S.  Popharii,  Esq.,  a 
parish  was  finally  organized,  and  the  corner  stone  of  a  church 
laid  on  Saturday  the  29th  of  June,  1S50,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  W.  R. 
Whittingham,  D.  D.  being  the  first  structure  devoted  to  religious 
worship  ever  erected  in  the  town  of  Scarsdale.  The  church  was 
incorporated  on  the  3d  of  September,  1849,  by  the  name  and  style 
"  of  the  Rector,  Churchwardens  and  Vestrymen  of  the  Church 
of  St.  James  the  Less  in  the  township  of  Scarsdale."  William 
S.  Popham  and  Mark  Spencer,  churchwardens.  Charles  W. 
Carmer,  William  II.  Popham,  Francis  Mc  Farlan,  Joshua  Under- 
bill, Edmund  Ludlow,  Samuel  E.  Lyon,.  Augustus  Bleecker 
and  Orrin  Weed,  vestrymen.  Upon  the  31st  of  January,  1850, 
the 

REV.  JAMES  F.  LE  BARON 

was  called  as  rector,  and  resigned  the  next  year.     On  the   1st 
of  April,  1851,  the 

REV.  WILLIAM  W.  OLSSEN 

was  called,  and  formally  instituted  rector  of  the  parish  on  the 
10th  of  May,  1853. 

In  June,  1850,  the  grounds  adjoining  the  church  were  con- 
veyed to  the  vestry  in  the  form  of  a  lease,  by  William  H. 
Popham. 

LEASE  FOR  CHURCH  LOT. 

''This  Indenture,  made  the  28th  day  of  June,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-one,  be- 


710  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

tween  William  H.  Popham  in  the  town  of  Scarsdale,  county  of  Westchester,  State 
of  New  York,  party  of  the  first  part,  and  the  rector,  churchwardens  and  vestrymen 
of  the  Church  of  St.  James  the  Less,  in  the  town  of  Scarsdale,  in  the  county  of 
Westchester,  State  of  New  York,  of  the  second  part,  witnesseth  :  that  the  said  party 
of  the  first  part,  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  rents,  covenants,  agreements  and 
conditions  hereinafter  mentioned,  reserved  and  contained  on  the  part  and  behalf  of 
the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and  their  successors,  to  be  paid,  kept  and  performed 
as  granted,  demised,  and  to  farm-let,  and  by  these  presents  doth  grant,  devise,  and 
to  farm-let  unto  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and  their  successors,  all  that  cer- 
tain lot,  piece  or  parcel  of  land,  on  which  the  church  edifice  of  St.  James  the  Less 
is  now  erected,  in  the  town  aforesaid,  bounded  and  containing  as  follows  : — commenc- 
ing at  a  bovfnd  mark  on  the  south  fence  of  the  old  Scarsdale  farm  road,  being  the 
northerly  corner  of  a  lot  of  laud  designed  for  a  cemetery  and  marked  A  on  the 
annexed  diagram,  running  thence  south  fifteen  degrees,  west  six  chains  two  links, 
along  a  line  of  pegs,  and  east  of  the  church  edifice  as  shown  by  a  dotted  line  in  dia- 
gram to  a  ground  mark  iii  the  opposite  fence  at  B,  thence  along  the  south  fence 
north  seventy-five  degrees,  thirty  minutes,  west  five  chains  and  sixty  links  to  a 
point  in  diagram  marked  C,  thence  north  seventeen  degrees,  thirteen  minutes,  east 
six  chains  and  eighty  links,  fifty  links  east  of  and  parallel  to  the  western  fence  of 
said  lot  as  shown  by  a  dotted  line  to  a  point  marked  D  in  diagram,  thence  south  sixty- 
seven  degrees,  forty  minutes,  east  forty  chains  and  ninety-two  links  along  the  south 
fence  of  the  old  Scarscale  farm  road  aforesaid,  to  tho  place  of  commencing  at  A. 
The  lot  is  bounded  on  all  sides  by  lands  of  the  said  William  H.  Popham,  and  contains 
three  acres  one  rood  and  twenty-six  perches,  as  designated  in  a  diagram  hereunto 
annexed,  surveyed  by  R.  Henwood,  October,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty  one.  To 
have  and  to  hold  the  above  mentioned  and  described  premises  with  the  appurtenances, 
unto  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and  their  successors  in  office  .from  the  day 
of  the  date  hereof,  for  and  during  the  full  end  and  time  of  one  thousand  years  next 
ensuing,  and  fully  to  be  completed  and  ended,  yielding  and  paying  therefor  unto 
the  said  party  of  the  first  part,  and  his  heirs  yearly  and  every  year  during  the  said  term 
hereby  granted  the  yearly  rent  or  sum  of  one  silver  dime,  lawful  money  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  on  the  Festival  of  St.  Philip  and  St.  James  in  each  and 
every  year ;  and  also,  the  parties  of  the  second  part  or  their  successors  in  office,  shall 
not  at  any  time  during  the  continuance  of  the  term  hereby  granted  let,  underlet, 
assign,  sell  or  convey  the  whole  or  any  part  of  said  premises  to  any  person  or  per- 
sons, sole  or  corporate  whatever,  except  the  right  or  privilege  of  burial  in  said  ground 
and  upon  the  further  condition  that  religious  services  in  said  church  during  said  term 
shall  be  performed  according  to  the  form  prescribed  by  the  book  of  Commeu  Prayer 
or  the  administration  of  the  Sacraments  and  other  rites  and  ceremonies  as  pre- 
scribed in  said  book  for  the  use  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  of  the  doctrine  and  discipline  therein  set  forth,  and  of  the  canons 
of  said  Church  by  a  duly  and  regularly  ordained  minister  of  said  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church,  or  by  one  allowed  by  the  canons  of  said  Church  so  to  officiate,  or  by  a  duly 


AND  CHURCH  OF  SCARSDALE.  711 

ordained  minister  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  now  by  law  established,  and  none 
other,  provided  always,  nevertheless,  that  if  the  rent  above  reserved  shall  not  be  de- 
manded by,  or  paid  to  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  or  his  heirs  on  or  before  the 
Feast  of  St.  Andrew  in  every  year,  after  the  same  shall  have  been  due,  that  then 
the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  shall  forever  thereafter  be  discharged  from  the 
payment  of  the  same.  And  provided  further,  that  in  case  any  form  or  mode  of  wor- 
ship shall  be  used  or  celebrated  in  said  church,  or  in  any  other  building  that  may 
hereafter  be  erected  thereon,  or  upon  any  portion  of  said  grounds  in  the  open  air,  other 
than  as  above  mentioned,  or  if  said  church  or  any  portion  of  said  land  shall  be  used 
or  converted  to  secular  use,  then  and  thence  forward  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful 
for  said  party  of  the  first  part,  his  heirs  and  assigns  into  and  upon  the  said  described 
premises,  and  every  part  thereof,  wholly  to  re-enter  and  remove  therefrom  all  per- 
sons found  violating  the  aforesaid  conditions,  and  the  same  shall  remain  vacant  until 
a  new  incumbent  be  appointed  by  the  Bishop  of  the  said  Church  then  administer- 
ing the  Diocese  ;  anything  herein  before  contained  to  the  contrary  thereof  notwith- 
standing. And  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and  their  successors  in  office,  do 
covenant  and  agree  to  and  with  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  and  his  heirs,  by  these 
presents,  that  they  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and  their  successors  in  office 
shall,  and  will  yearly  and  every  year  during  the  said  term  hereby  granted,  well  and 
truly  pay  the  said  rent  in  manner  aforesaid,  reserved,  if  demanded,  within  the  time 
aforesaid  ;  and  that  they  will  not  celebrate  nor  allow  to  be  celebrated  in  said  church, 
or  other  buildings  that  may  be  hereafter  erected  on  said  land,  or  upon  any  open  space 
thereof  in  the  open  air,  any  other  form  or  mode  of  worship  than  that  of  the  Pro- 
testant Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  aforesaid,  or  by  any  other 
person  not  duly  ordained  according  to  the  forms  prescribed  in  the  sa'd  book  of  Com- 
mon Prayer  or  allowed  by  the  Canons  of  the  said  Church,  or  by  a  duly  ordained 
minister  of  the  Church  of  England,  as  now  by  law  established  in  England,  and  in 
good  standing  therein.  Andthe  said  parties  of  the  second  part  further  covenant  and 
agree  to  and  with  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  and  his  heirs,  that  they  will  not 
during  said  term  hereby  granted,  let,  underlet,  assign,  sell,  convey  or  in  any  way  or 
manner  dispose  of  the  whole  or  any  part  or  portion  of  said  premises  above  mentioned,  ex- 
cept the  right  or  privilege  of  burying  therein  as  aforesaid,  and  that  they  will  faithfully 
keep  and  perform  all  the  covenants  herein,  on  their  part  and  behalf  to  be  kept  and 
performed.  And  the  said  party  of  the  first  part  for  himself,  his  heirs,  executors,  ad- 
ministrators and  assigns,  doth  covenant  and  agree  to  and  with  the  said  parties  of  the 
second  part  and  their  successors  in  office,  by  these  presents,  that  the  said  parties  of 
the  second  part  keeping  and  performing  the  conditions,  covenants  and  agreements 
aforesaid  on  their  part  and  behalf,  the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  and  their  suc- 
cessors in  office  shall  and  may  at  all  times  hereafter,  during  the  said  term  hereby 
granted,  peacefully  and  quitely  have,  hold  and  enjoy  the  said  described  premises, 
without  any  manner  of  let,  suit,  trouble  or  hindrance  of  or  from  the  said  party  o* 
the  first  part,  his  heirs  or  assigns  or  any  other  person  or  persons  whomsoever.    In  wit- 


712  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

ness  whereof  the  parties  hereto  have  interchangeably  set  their  hands  and  seals,  the 
day  and  year  first  above  written. 

William  H.  Popiiam.  [L.  S. 
By  order  of  the  Corporation  of  the  Church  of  St.  James  the  Less,  Scarsdale. 

William  W.  Olssen,  Rector, 
Augustus  Bleecker,  Clerk."*  fL.  S.] 

THE  CHURCH. 

The  parish  church  is  well  situated  on  ah  eminence  command- 
ing a  fine  view  of  the  Greenburgh  hills,  under  which  flows  the 
river  Bronx,  adding  greatly  to  the  beauty  of  the  picture.  It 
was  built,  as  before  stated,  by  William  S.  Popham,  Esq.,  in 
conjunction  with  several  members  of  his  family  aiid  personal 
friends.  The  style  of  the  building  is  early  English  or  first 
pointed,  according  to  Rickman's  nomenclature.  It  is  constructed 
of  native  stone,  with  dressings  of  the  white  dolomitic  marble, 
and  consists  of  a  nave,  chancel,  with  sacristy  attached,  and 
porch.  The  nave,  which  is  56  ft.  by  24  ft.  in  the  clear,  with  sitt- 
ings for  about  211,  is  divided  into  four  bays,  the  flank  walls  of 
which  are  pierced  with  couplets,  excepting  the  first  bay  from  the 
west  end  on  south  side,  which  contains  a  door  leading  to  the  porch. 
The  roof  is  open,  with  rafters  diagonally  braced.  The  pulpit 
is  in  the  north-east  corner  of  the  nave.  A  font  of  the  largest 
size  (2ft.  6in.  across  the  bowl)  stands  in  the  south  east  corner  of 
the  nave.  It  is  circular,  supported  on  a  central  octago- 
nal stem,  surrounded  by  four  detached  pillars  of  white  mar- 
ble, and  was  presented  by  the  sisters  of  the  first  rector  of  the 
parish.  The  seats  are  open,  and  entirely  free  of  any  charge  for 
rent  or  use,  the  church  being  supported  by  voluntary  contribu- 
tors at  the  offertory.  The  organ,  presented  by  a  member  of  the 
vestry,  is  situated  at  the  west  end  of  the  nave.  The  chancel, 
20  ft.  by  16  ft.  in  the  clear,  is  separated  from  the  nave  by  the 
chancel  arch.     The  choir  is  raised  two  steps  above  the  nave, 


'County  Rec.  liber  180  of  Deeds,  p.  400. 


St.  James'  Church,  Scarsdale— Erected  A.  D.  1851. 


n '         '     ti     .  it 

nun  inn ^i^ — i — i ...  ■  i 

Ground  plan  of  St.  James'  Church. 


[To  face  page  712 


AND  CHURCH  OF  SCARSDALE.  713 

and  has  two  stalls  on  the  south  side.  On  the  north  it  opens  by 
a  door  into  the  sacristy.  The  sanctuary,  elevated  above  the 
choir  by  two  steps,  is  about  8  feet  in  depth,  containing  an  altar 
6  ft.  by  3  ft.  on  a  foot  pace,  a  credence  shelf  on  the  south  side, 
and  Bishop's  seat  on  the  north.  The  chancel  is  lighted  by  a 
triplet  of  richly  stained  glass,  the  middle  lancet  of  which  con- 
tains a  cross  within  the  vesica  piscis,  the  south,  a  dove  and 
font,  and  the  north,  a  paten  and  chalice.  The  rest  of  the  glass, 
excepting  the  west  end  of  the  nave,  which  is  richly  grisailed, 
and  the  southern  windows  of  the  chancel,  which  have  colored 
borders,  is  plain  enameled.  The  whole  of  the  stained  glass  was 
manufactured  by  Mr.  John  Bolton,  of  Pelham.  Over  the  cen- 
tral lancet  in  the  chancel,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  west  gable 
are  triangular  trifoliated  lights,  with  colored  glass. 

The  west  end  of  nave,  supporting  bell  gable,  has  flank  win- 
dow couplets.  Taken  as  a  whole,  we  think  that  this  simple 
church,  in  proportion  and  general  arrangement,  might  well  serve 
as  a  model  for  a  country  parish.  The  entire  cost,  including  the 
glass  and  furnace  chamber,  was  $5000.  It  was  designed  and 
carried  out  by  Frank  Wills,  Esq.,  of  New  York. 

This  church  was  consecrated  on  the  28th  of  June,  1851,  by 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  De  Lancey,  who  preached  the  sermon  and 
administered  the  Holy  Communion,  assisted  in  the  services  by 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Whittingham,  of  Maryland. 

The  communion  service,  presented  on  the  day  of  consecration, 
consists  of  the  following  articles  :  a  flagon  inscribed  : — "  The 
blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin."  Two  silver 
chalices,  each  bearing  the  following  inscription : — "  I  will  re- 
ceive the  cup  of  salvation."  A  paten  with  the  legend : — "  I 
will  offer  unto  Thee  the  sacrifice  of  thanksgiving,"  and  a  sil- 
ver alms  basin,  which  was  presented  by  an  aged  female  friend 
on  the  day  of  consecration.  The  altar  cloth  is  of  rich  crimson 
velvet,  presented  by  the  rector's  father,  having  the  sacred  mono- 
gram I.  H.  S.  worked  in  gold  and  blue  by  a  lady  of  the  parish. 
The  church  linen  is  also  richly  embroidered,  and  bears  numer- 


714 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


ous  inscriptions,  likewise  the  work  of  various  ladies  of  the  parish. 
The  service  books  were  presented  by  individuals  interested  in 
the  Church,  and  the  Bishop's  chair  by  the  builder,  Mr.  Henry 
Cornell. 

To  St.  James'  church  is  attached  a  parochial  school,  the  aver- 
age number  of  scholars  attending  which,  are  fourteen. 

NOTITIA  PAROCHIALIS. 

In  1853,  No.  of  families,  20.     No.  of  souls,  115.     Baptisms,  4. 
Communicants,  50.     Catechists,  6.     Catechumens,  23. 
The  population  of  Scarsdaie  in  1712,  was  12. 
"  «      1740,     «  255. 

';  "  "       1F50.     «  844. 

WARDENS  OF  ST.  JAME'S  CHURCH. 

1849  to  1850. 
William  S.  Popham,  Mark  Spencer. 

1851-3. 
William  S.  Popham,  Charges  W.    Carrner. 


Col.  Caleb  Heathcote. 


HISTOEY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OF 


MT.  PLEASANT. 


The  name  of  this  parish  justly  denotes  its  pleasant  location 
upon  high  hills.  Mount  Pleasant  was  formerly  included  within 
the  manor  of  Philipsburgh,  one  of  the  four  precincts  of  the 
parish  of  Westchester,  but  acquired  its  present  title  by  an  act 
of  the  Legislature  in  17S8. 

From  the  MSS.  of  the  Venerable  Society,  it  appears  that  as 
early  as  1759  there  were  people  enough  in  Philips'  manor  for  a 
large  congregation,  without  any  minister  at  all.  In  1761,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Dibble,  who  visited  this  part  of  the  country,  says  : — "  I 
found  a  great  want  of  a  regular  clergyman  to  officiate  in  these 
parts,  to  prevent  confusions  in  religion,  which  hath  too  much 
obtained,  and  there  seems  a  general  good  disposition  to  the 
Church  if  they  could  be  favored  with  a  settled  teacher.  This  de- 
ficiency was  in  some  measure  supplied  by  the  appointment  of 
the  Rev.  Harry  Munro  to  the  mission  of  Philipsburgh  in  1765, 
but  for  nearly  seventy  years  afterwards  St.  John's  church,  Yon- 
kers.  served  the  purposes  of  divine  worship  to  a  district  which 
now  contains  seven  churches. 


716  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

In  this  parish  is  situated  St.  Mary's  church,  Beechwood. 
This  interesting  edifice  is  beautifully  located  on  high  ground 
above  the  Hudson  River,  about  two  miles  south  of  the  village 
of  Sing  Sing,  and  was  erected  in  1850,  principally  at  the  cost  of 
the  Rev.  Wm.  Creighton,  D.  D.,  and  of  his  son-in-law,  the  Rev. 
Edward  N.  Mead.  To  the  latter  gentleman  credit  is  to  be  given, 
not  only  for  a  large  pecuniary  contribution,  but  for  the  plan  and 
drawings,  and  the  supervision  of  the  work  from  its  foundation 
to  completion.  It  consists  of  a  nave  32  ft.  by  20,  chancel  14  ft. 
by  20  wide,  north  and  south  transepts  10  ft.  by  20  wide  ;  a 
gabled  north  vestry,  south  porch,  and  bell  turret  over  the  west 
gable.  The  roof  is  equilateral,  and  ridge  pole  30  feet  from  the 
ground.  It  is  constructed  of  common  granite,  in  a  very  solid 
manner,  which  has  an  excellent  effect.  The  roof  is  covered 
with  blue  slate.  The  style  is  first  pointed.  The  east  window 
is  a  triplet  filled  with  richly  stained  glass.  In  the  compart- 
ments of  the  centre  light  are  represented  the  Spiritus  Dei,  the 
Last  Supper,  a  Cross  Patonce  and  Sacred  Monogram,  all  within 
the  Visica  Piscis.  The  south  light  contains  the  emblems  of  St. 
Mark  and  St.  John,  a  Pelican  in  her  piety,  and  the  Greek  Omega. 
The  north  light,  the  emblems  of  St.  Matthew  and  St.  Luke,  the 
Agnus  Dei,  and  the  Greek  Alpha.  This  beautiful  window, 
which  cost  $250,  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Edwin  Bartlett.  The 
east  window  is  of  five  lights,  filled  with  stained  glass,  richly 
diapered.  It  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Gideon  Lee,  widow  of  the 
late  Hon.  Gideon  Lee,  of  Geneva.  In  both  windows  the  lights 
are  unequal,  and  inclosed  in  a  surrounding  arch,  formed  by  an 
offset  in  the  wall.  The  south  chancel  window  is  a  single  light 
of  colored  glass,  and  was  presented  by  Miss  Julia  Hoffman,  at  a 
cost  of  $25.  The  five  nave  windows  are  also  of  stained  glass, 
filled  with  the  various  implements  of  the  crucifixion,  and  sur- 
rounded with  foliated  borders.  Four  of  these,  which  cost  $130, 
were  presented  by  James  Watson  Webb,  Esq.,  and  the  fifth  by 
Master  Burrill  Hoffman.  One  of  the  transeptal  windows  was 
the  gift  of  Charles  D.  Mead,  Esq.     Most  of  the   windows  are 


AND  CHURCH  OF  MOUNT  PLEASANT.  717 

narrow,  single  lights,  except  the  two  circles  or  Catharine  wheels 
in  the  gables  of  the  transepts,  which  are  also  of  stained  glass, 
containing  emblems  of  the  Trinity.  These  windows  were 
presented  to  the  Church  by  the  Masters  Wm.  Creighton  and 
Edward  Schermerhorn  Mead.  The  whole  of  the  stained  glass 
was  manufactured  by  Mr.  John  Bolton,  of  Pel  ham. 

The  open  roof  is  of  the  simplest  construction,  depending  en- 
tirely for  its  support  upon  the  strength  of  the  walls  and  butt- 
resses. There  is  no  western  entrance,  but  a  door  in  the  south 
transept.  The  floors  of  the  nave  and  transepts  are  laid  in  hy- 
draulic cement,  and  the  chancel  in  blocks  of  black  and  white 
marble,  with  steps  of  brown  sand-stone.  The  altar,  which  is  of 
Italian  marble,  and  cost  $100,  was  presented  to  the  church  by 
Mrs.  Lindley  Murray  Hoffman,  and  the  marble  font  by  Miss 
Catharine  S.  Creighton,  at  a  cost  of  $100.  The  bell,  of  Spanish 
metal,  was  the  gift  of  Commodore  M.  C.  Perry,  and  bears  the 
following  inscription  : — "Captured  at  Tobasco,  Mexico,  1847- 
Recast  and  presented  by  Commodore  M.  Q.  Perry."  The 
church  has  a  fine  toned  organ,  the  cost  of  which  was  $520, 
the  gift  of  Mrs.  Auguste  Belmont,  and  other  members  of  Com- 
modore Perry's  family.  The  service  books  were  presented  by- 
Mrs.  John  Fraser  Mathewes,  of  Charleston,  S.  C.  Captain  N. 
Cobb,  of  Tarry  town,  generously  gave  $330  towards  finishing 
the  braces  and  carving  of  the  roof.  The  whole  structure  cost 
about  $7500.  Besides  the  lot  of  one  acre,  on  which  the 
church  stands,  the  Rev.  Founder  has  purchased  two  and  a  half 
acres  adjoining,  for  a  glebe  and  parsonage.  The  chancel  ar- 
rangements are  not  yet  completed.  Towards  these  George  H. 
Swords,  Esq.  has  made  the  very  liberal  donation  of  300  dollars. 

The  rector  reports  18  baptisms  within  the  past  year. 

Besides  the  church  at  Beech  wood,  Sunday  services  are  now 
regularly  performed  at  Pleasantville,  in  this  parish,  where  a  good' 
congregation  has  been  gathered  and  incorporated  under  the  ti- 
tle of  "  St.  John's  Church  in  the  town  of  Mount  Pleasant."  A 
lot  has   been  purchased  and  a  church  edifice  of  stone  is  now 


71S 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


being  erected  upon  it.-    The  rector  of  White  Plains  has  been 
engaged  on  stated  Sundays  in  performing  divine  services  here. 


St.  Mary's  Cburcb,  Beechwood. 


HISTORY 


OP  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OP 


UPPER    MORRISANIA. 


St.  Paul's  church,  which  was  formerly  included  in  the  paro- 
chial limits  of  St.  Ann's,  Morrisania,  was  on  the  30th  of  May,  1853, 
erected  into  a  seperate  parish.  It  was  first  organized  by  the 
fourth  rector,  in  the  new  village  of  Morrisania,  on  the  8th  of 
July,  L847.  Services  from  that  date  were  regularly  held  every 
Sunday  afternoon,  in  a  room  engaged  for  that  purpose,  until 
Easter  Monday,  March,  31st,  1850,  when  the  new  and  beautiful 
church  building  (the  corner  stone  of  which  was  laid  by  the  Rt. 
Rev.  William  Rollinson  Whittingham,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  the 
Diocese  of  Maryland,  on  the  15th  of  September,  1849)  was 
opened  for  the  first  service  ;  the  rector  reading  prayers,  preach- 
ing and  administering  the  Holy  Communion  to  a  large  number 
of  communicants.  On  the  22d  day  of  June  it  was  solemnly 
consecrated  to  the  worship  and  service  of  God  the  Father,  the 
Son  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  the  same  Rt.  Rev.  Prelate,  who  in 
the  preceding  September  had  laid  its  corner  stone. 

Iterumque  aut  Christi  Majorum  Gloriam  Individuasque  Tri- 
nitatis.     Amen. 


720  HISTORY  OF  THE  i'AJMSH 

The  following  notice  of  its  consecration  appeared  in  the  Epis- 
copal Recorder  for  June,  1550  : — ;-  Saturday,  June  22d  A.  M., 
the  Bishop  consecrated  St.  Paul's  chapel,  in  St.  Ann's  parish, 
Morrisania  village.  The  Instrument  of  Donation  was  read  by 
the  Rev.  Benjamin  I.  Haight,  D.  D.,  Morning  Prayer  was  said 
by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Rodman  and  Storrs,  the  Rev.  C.  W.  Bol- 
ton reading  the  Lessons.  The  Ante-Communion  service  was 
said  by  the  Bishop,  the  Rev  C.  D.  Jackson  reading  the  Epistle, 
the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hawks.  In  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  Holy  Communion  the  Bishop  was  assisted 
by  the  rector.  Rev.  Dr.  Haight  and  Rev.  Mr.  Jackson. 

This  beautiful  church,  which  reflects  great  credit  on  the 
architect,  Mr.  Jackson,  owes  its  existence,  under  God,  to  the 
zealous  and  persevering  efforts  of  the  rector,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Car- 
ter. In  the  new  village  which  sprung  up  in  his  parish,  and 
which  was  rapidly  increasing  in  population,  he  determined  that 
the  Church  should  be  permamently  planted.  He  found  some 
warm  hearts  and  liberal  hands  to  sympathize  with  and  to  aid 
him,  and  the  result  has  been  the  erection  of  the  edifice,  which 
was  this  day  solemnly  dedicated  to  the  worship  and  service  of  the 
Triune  God.'' 

St.  Paul's  church  is  erected  upon  an  acre  of  ground  which 
the  vestry  of  St.  Ann's  had  purchased  from  Charles  Bathgate, 
Esq..  as  will  appear  from  the  records  of  the  vestry.  It  was 
built  from  plans  furnished  by  and  under  the  direction  of  Thomas 
Pv.  Jackson.  Esq.,  an  architect  of  New- York.  Its  full  dimensions, 
including  the  tower  and  chancel,  are  30  by  SO  feet,  and  is  intended 
to  seat  between  three  and  four  hundred  persons.  It  is  con- 
structed of  wood  in  the  gothic  style.  The  chancel  window  is 
a  triplet  filled  with  richly  stained  glass.  In  the  compartments 
of  the  central  light  are  represented  the  Spiritus  Dei,  the  Cross 
and  the  Agnus  Dei ;  the  souihern  and  northern  lights 
contain  the  All  Seeing  Eye,  the  paten,  emblem  of  the 
Trinity,  and  chalice,  connected  by  scrolls  bearing  the 
following  legend  :— ;:  We  preach  Jesus  Christ,  and  Him  cruci- 


AND  CHURCH  OF  UrPER  MOEEISANIA. 


721 


fled."  The  roof  is  of  the  simplest  construction,  displaying  the 
open  rafters  and  braces  to  great  advantage.  The  font  and  cover 
are  of  black  walnut.  The  bell,  manufactured  by  Andrew 
Meneely,  of  West  Troy,  was  purchased  by  subscription,  and 
weighs  TOOlbs.  The  organ  was  built  by  Mr.  Erben,  of  New- 
York,  and  cost  $600. 

Upon  the  1st  of  September,  1853,  the 

REY.  BENJAMIN  AKERLY,  A.  M. 

was  called  to  the  rectorship. 

The  number  of  Communicants  belonging  to  this  parish  are  44 


St.  Paul's  Church,  Upper  Morrisania. 


46 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AM  CHURCH 


OF 


POET   CHESTER. 


This  church  (after  existing  for  nearly  eighteen  years  as  a 
chapelry  of  Christ  Church,  Rye)  was  organized  agreeable  to 
law  in  1853.  Services  were  first  established  here  by  the  Rev. 
Peter  S.  Chauncey,  in  December,  1S36. 

The  present  rector  is  the 

REV.  ISAAC  PECK. 

The  church  edifice  is  a  small  and  very  unpretending  struc- 
ture of  wood,  not  distinguished  either  externally  or  internally 
by  architectural  elegance  ;  and  consists  of  a  nave  and  chancel 
only,  and  has  a  bell  in  its  wooden  tower,  which  crowns  the 
northern  end. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AID  CHURCH 


OF 


TUCKAHOE. 


This  parish  (after  existing  for  more  than  half  a  century,  as  a 
chapel  of  St.  John's,  Yonkers;  having  had  its  connection  with 
the  above  mentioned  parish  severed  by  an  act  of  the  vestry 
thereof)  was  organized  according  to  law  on  the  18th  of  July, 
1S53,  and  the 

REV.  CHARLES  JONES,  A.  M. 

chosen  rector. 

The  church  edifice  was  erected  A.  D.  179S,  during  the  rector- 
ship of  the  Rev.  Elias  Cooper,  upon  land,  the  gift  of  the  late 
John  Bowne,  Esq.  It  has  lately  undergone  considerable  repairs, 
a  chancel  and  commodious  vestry  room  having  been  added, 
and  the  pews  remodelled.  Upon  the  29th  of  June,  1847,  it  was 
consecrated  to  the  service  of  Almighty  God,  under  the  name  of 
St.  John's  Chapel,  Tuckahoe,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  William  Heath- 


724 


HISTORY  0?  THE  PARISH 


cote  deLancey,  D,  D.  L.L.  D.  The  consecration  sermon  being 
preached  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  W.  Coit,  L).  D.  late  rector  of  New 
Rochelle. 

Half  an  acre,  of  land  has  recently  been  presented  to  the  Cor- 
poration by  John  and  Elias  Cooper,  sons  of  the  late  John  Bowne, 
Esq..  upon  which  the  vestry  have  erected  a  neat  parsonage. 
The  number  of  Baptisms  for  the  year  1835,  were  three.  Com- 
municants, sixteen. 


St.  John's  Church,  Yonkers,  erected  by  Col.  Frederick  Philipee,  A.  D.  1753. 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


PARISH  AND  CHURCH 


OF 


FORDHAM. 


The  manor  of  Fordham,  which  now  forms  one  of  the  three 
divisions  of  West  Farms,  "was  originally  included  within  the 
parish  limits  of  Westchester.  The  name  itself  is  of  Saxon 
origin,  and  compounded  of  the  two  words  Ford  (ford)  Hani 
(mansion.) 

In  1646,  we  find  the  whole  of  Fordham  as  well  as  the  Yon- 
kers  land  in  the  possession  of  Adriaen  Yander  Donck,  whose 
widow,  Mary,  conveyed  them  to  her  brother,  Elias  Doughty. 
The  latter,  in  1666,  sold  them  to  Mr.  John  Archer,  of  Westches- 
ter, who,  in  1669,  obtained  a  confirmation  thereof  from  the  In- 
dian sachem  Sachareth.  In  1671,  Francis  Lord  Lovelace, 
Governor  of  the  Province,  erected  the  same  into  the  manor  of 
Fordham.  From* the  Archers,  the  manor  passed  through  the 
Steenwycks  in  16S4,  "  to  the  Nether  Dutch  Reformed  Congre- 
gation, within  the  city  of  New  York,  for  the  support  and  main- 
tenance of  their  ministers,  ordained  according  to  the  Church 
orders  of  the  Netherlands,  &c."  Through  the  liberality,  how- 
ever, of  Mrs.  Margaret  Steenwyck,   three  hundred  acres  were 


726  HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 

exempted  from  the  conveyance  to  the  Dutch  Church,  upon 
which  was  situated  the  old  manorial  residence,  where  a  des- 
cendant of  the  original  proprietor  now  resides. 

The  family  of  Archer  is  of  English  origin,  and  held,  for 
many  centuries,  large  possessions  in  the  county  of  Warwick. 
Fulbert  L' Archer,  the  first  of  whom  anything  is  known,  came 
into  England  with  William  the  Conqueror.  The  representative 
of  the  senior  branch  A.  D.  1600,  appears  to  have  been  John 
Archer,  of  Warwickshire.  At  what  period  they  emigrated  to 
this  country  is  uncertain,  but  as  early  as  1630,  occurs  the  name 
of  Samuel  Archer,  a  freeman  of  Salem,  Mass.  John  Archer, 
the  first  proprietor,  accompanied  the  early  settlers  from  Fairfield 
to  Westchester  in  1654.  He  died  in  16S5.  His  eldest  son,  John 
Archer,  was  elected  a  vestryman  for  the  precinct  of  Yonkers  in 
1703,  an  office  which  he  held  for  nearly  seven  years. 

Little  is  known  concerning  the  early  history  of  religion  here 
except,  that  as  early  as  1671,  the  inhabitants  residing  between 
the  two  kills  of  Harlem  and  the  Bronx,  were  obliged  to  con. 
tribute  towards  the  support  of  a  minister.  In  1696,  a  society 
was  organized  here  by  the  Collegiate  Dutch  Reformed  congrega- 
tion of  New   York,  the  Rev.  John  Montaigne,  being  minister. 

Col.  Lewis  Morris,  writing  to  the  Society  in  1709,  says  : — 
"  1  have  used  some  endeavours  to  persuade  the  Dutch  in  my 
neighborhood  into  a  good  opinion  of  the  Church  of  England, 
and  have  had  that  success,  that  they  would,  I  believe,  join  a 
great  part  of  them  in  the  sacraments  and  worship,  had  they 
Dutch  Common  Prayer  Books  and  a  minister  that  understood 
their  language.  I  have  taken  some  pains  with  one  of  their 
ministers,  one  Mr.  Henricus  Beyse,  and  have  prevailed  on  him 
to  accept  of  Episcopal  ordination." 

1  The  old  Dutch  meeting  house,  erected  in  1706,  which  has 
long  since  been  destroyed,  stood  on  the  farm  of  Mr.  James 
Valentine.1  Its  last  minister,  prior  to  the  Revolution,  was  the 
Rev.  John  Peter  Tetard. 

a  The  following  inscription  is  taken  from  the  foundation  stone  of  this  edifice  : — 
«'  I.  V.  S.  1706." 


AND  CHURCH. OF  FORDAM.  727 

Numerous  residents  of  the  manor  of  Fordhamexperiencingmuch 
inconvenience  in  attending  Episcopal   services,  on  account  of 
having  no  place  of  worship,  and  considering  moreover,  in  the 
great  increase  of  the  population,  that  the  cause  of  the  Church 
might  suffer  by  having   no  spiritual   provision   made  for  her 
members  where  the  wants  of  other  Denominations  are  so  amply 
considered,  called  a  meeting  which  assembled  at  the  house  of 
William  Alexander  Smith,  Esq.,  on  the  5th  of  July,  1853,  for 
the  purpose  of  organizing  a  parish,  and  adopting  such  measures 
as  would  most  effectually  conduce  to  the  same.    Oswald  Cam- 
mann,  Esq.  in  the  chair,  William  Wctson  Waldron,  acting  as 
Secretary.      It  was  then  and   there  resolved  : — "  That  the  per- 
sons present  do  proceed  to  incorporate  themselves  as  a  religious 
society  in  communion  with  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America,  and  that  the  said  Church  and 
congregation  be  known  in  law,  by    the   name  and  title  of  '  the 
Rector,  Wardens  and  Vestrymen  of  St.  James'  Church  in  the 
manor  of  Fordham,  town  of  West  Farms,  county  of  Westches- 
ter.'    The  meeting  proceeded  to  choose  two  churchwardens  and 
eight  vestrymen  for  the  said  Church,  when  the  following  per- 
sons  were  elected  :    Lewis  G.  Morris  and   William  Alexander 
Smith,  churchwardens.     Oswald  Cammann,  Francis  McFarlan, 
William  Watson  Waldron,  George  Bement  Butler,  Samuel  R. 
Trowbridge,  Gulian  Ludlow  Dashwood,  William  Ogden  Giles, 
and  Nathaniel  Piatt  Bailey,  vestrymen." 

The  vestry  have  recently  purchased  two  acres  of  ground,  on 
which  it  is  intended  to  erect  a  church  edifice  in  place  of  the 
present  building  they  now  occupy,  which  was  originally  the 
old  manor  school-house. 

In  November,  1854,  the  vestry  called   the 

REV.  JOSHUA  WEAVER,  A.  M. 

to  the  rectorship. 

There  is  a  very  handsome  communion  service  of  silver,  ron- 


728 


HISTORY  OF  THE  PARISH 


sitting  of  two  chalices,  a  flagon  and  paten,  on  which  is  in- 
scribed the  following: — "  Presented  by  the  ladies  of  the  parish, 
A.  D.  1854." 

A  baptismal  font  and  a  lectern  were  presented  by  the  rector. 

William  W.  Waldron,  by  the  donation  of  two  hundred  vol- 
umes, has  founded  a  parochial  library  for  the  benefit  of  all 
young  persons  resident  in  the  parish. 


St.  James'  Church,  Fordham,  from  a  sketch  in  the  possession  ofWm.  W.  Waldron,  A.  B. 


APPENDIX   A. 


MR.  WETMORE  TO  THE  SECRETARY. 

(extract.) 

''•New-  York,  June  24th,  1726. 
Rev.  Sir, 

I  wrote  by  the  last  ship  to  acquaint  you,  that  the  people  of  Rye  had 
given  me  a  call,  and  my  acceptance  of  it  on  condition  the  Honorable 
Society  will  give  leave  for  my  removal  from  New-York,  whi^h  the 
churchwardens  and  vestry  of  that  parish  having  petitioned  for,  I  concur 
with  them,  and  request  that  I  may  know  the  Honorable  Society's  plea- 
sure therein  before  the  winter.  Upon  the  urgent  desire  of  the  church- 
wardens and  vestrymen,  with  Mr.  Jenney,  I  have  promised  to  officiate 
there  every  third  Sunday,  'till  the  Society's  further  pleasure  be  known  ; 
and  for  securing  the  glebe,  and  to  prevent  any  difficulties  that  might 
herat  arise  by  the  different  factions  in  the  parish,  I  have  received  in- 
duction as  Mr.  Jenney  did  at  Hempstead,  immediately  upon  his  call 
there,  which  is  thought  necessary  to  prevent  the  destruction  of  the  glebe, 
and  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  parish,  or  resisting  any  attempts  that 
the  enemies  of  the  Church  might  make,  for  the  Dissenters  in  that  par- 
hh.  are  numerous,  and  would  do  what  lies  in  their  power  to  raise  diffi- 
culties ;  and  though  the  chief  of  that  party  seem  now  well  pleased, 
and  gave  their  vote  in  my  call,  yet  we  may  expect  Dissenting  ministers 
in  the  neighboring  towns  will  be  very  busy  among  the  people  while 
destitute  of  a  minister,  and  I  am  told  they  have  already  concluded  to 
fix  and  ordain  within  the  parish,  one  who  is  a  very  troublesome  man."* 

*  New  York,  MSS.  from  archives  at  Fulham,  vol.  i.  p.  27-36.  (Hawks.) 


APPENDIX   B. 


The  consecration  of  the  new  church  at  Rye  took  place  March  loth, 
1855.  The  following  notice  of  the  event  is  taken  from  the  Churchman 
for  March  22nd  :— 

"  NEW-YORK.— On  Thursday,  March  15th,  the  new  and  beautiful 
building  of  Christ  Church,  Rye,  was  consecrated  by  the  Provisional 
Bishop,  attended  by  twelve  of  his  clergy,  all  in  surplices. 

The  profession,  headed  by  the  Bishop,  entered  the  church  from  the 
sacristy,  moved  down  the  south  aisle  to  the  west  door,  and  thence  up  the 
central  alley  to  the  chancel.  The  instrument  of  donation  and  request 
was  read  by  the  rector,  the  Rev.  E.  C.  Bull.  Morning  prayer  was  said 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Chauncey,  formerly  rector  of  the  parish,  and  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Purdy,  a  scion  of  one  of  the  oldest  families  in  the  place.  The  ser- 
mon was  preached  by  the  Bishop,  from  the  words  of  the  Psalmist,  'O 
how  amiable  are  thy  dwellings :  thoit  Lord  of  Hosts?  (Psalm  84,  1.) 
It  set  forth  the  duty  and  the  delight  of  thus  setting  apart,  for  ever,  one 
little  spot  of  clay  which  should  thenceforth  be  sacred  to  the  service  and 
honor  of  God,  and  whence  should  flow  forth  sources  of  comfort  and 
spiritual  joy  in  the  Church,  to  innumerable  souls  in  future  ages. 

The  weather  was  unfavorable,  but  the  attendance  was  large,  and  all 
present  took  evidently  a  deep  interest  in  this  evidence  of  the  prosperity 
of  an  ancient  parish.  The  presence  of  the  choir  of  Christ  Church, 
New-York  city,  added  not  a  little  to  the  services  of  the  day. 

The  new  building  is  after  the  design  of  Mr.  Dudley,  and  is  a  remark- 
ably fine  specimen  of  his  tastefulness  and  skill.  The  material  is  brown 
stone,  hammered,  with  sills  and  dressings  nicely  cut.  It  consists  of 
chancel  and  sacristy,  nave,  aisles  and  porch,  with  bell  turret  and  spire 
all  of  stone.  Orientation  is  observed.  There  is  no  clere-story  proper, 
but  the  triple  division  is  given  in  the  interior  by  posts  and  arches  sup- 
porting the  steep  roof,  and  giving  an  excellent  effect.  The  inside  is 
finished  plain,  with  simple  color.  The  chancel  is  deep,  having  a  three 
light  window  over  the  altar,  and  a  similar  one  at  the  west  end  of  the 


732  APPENDIX. 

nave;  over  the  organ  loft.  The  windows  are  all  filled  with  pattern  glass, 
that  over  the  altar  hearing  in  a  medallion  the  monogram.  The  nave 
is  of  three  bays,  the  aisles  having  a  two  light  window  in  each  bay.  The 
chancel  arrangements  are  not  altogether  satisfactory,  there  being  a 
reading-pew  on  the  north  side  and  a  pulpit  on  the  south.  This  pew, 
the  pulpit  and  the  Bishop's  chair,  on  the  right  of  the  altar,  are  all  but- 
ternut. The  chancel  is  properly  divided  into  choir  and  sanctuary  by  a 
light  rail.  The  tower  is  at  the  south-west  corner  of  the  nave,  and  pro- 
jects diagonally  from  the  western  wall.  In  the  upper  stage  it  is  broken 
into  an  open  octagon,  and  finished  with  a  stone  spire,  the  treatment  of 
the  whole  being  the  boldest,  most  original  and  most  successful  feature 
of  the  design.  The  church  will  seat  about  350  persons.  It  has  cost 
about  813,000,  which  is  nearly  all  paid,  and  the  small  balance  is  suffi- 
ciently provided  for." 


INDEX. 


Akerly  Rev.  Benjamin,  721. 

Adams  John,  a  promoter  of  Episco- 
pacy, 98. 

All  Saints,  Briar  Cliff,  chapel  of,  662, 
663,  664. 

Anabaptists,  conversion  of,  269. 

Antinomians,  persecuted  by  Indepen- 
dents, 131. 

Archer  John,  725 ,  family  of,  726. 

Ashurst  Sir  Henry,  notice  of;  pre- 
sents bell  to  French  Church,  N. 
Y.,  478. 

Assembly,  act  of,  for  settling  a  minis- 
try, 4,  135 ;  better  explanation 
of,  32 

Auchmuty  Rev.  Mr.,  his  letters  to 
Secretary  of  V.  P.  S.,  470,  496, 
497. 

Avery  Rev.  Ephraim,  birth  of,  &c, 
teaches  school  in  N.  J.  313  ;  Or- 
dination of,  and  appointment  to 
Rye,  314 ;  admission,  institution 
and  induction  of,  by  Gov.  Cold- 
den,  315  ;  salary  of,  316 ;  literary 
honor  awarded  to,  318  ;  persecu- 
tion of,  320  ;  murder  of  and  exe- 
cution of  the  murderer,  321,  322 ; 
Mr.  Seabury  details  circumstan- 
ces of  his  death,  322  ;  inscription' 
to  wife  of,  323,  324. 

Averv,  his  letters  to  Secretary  of  V 

P.  S.,  217,  321. 
Babcock  Rev.  Luke,  birth  of,  &c,  504  ; 
conforms  to  the  Church,  239;  his 
voyage  to  England  for  Holy  Or- 
ders, appointed  to  the  mission  of 
Philipsburgh,  504 ;  receives  the 
degree  of  M.  A.  from  King's  Col- 
lege, N.  T. ;  protests  against  the 
Whigs ;  his  letter  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  V.  P.  S,.  505;  seizure, 
cruel  treatment  and  death  of,  506, 
507,  508  ;  monument  to,  523. 


Babcock  Col.  Harry,  notice  of,  508. 

Baptisms,    early   records   of,    where 
found,  3 

Baptists,  persecution  of,  by  Indepen- 
dents, 132. 

Baptism,  the  cross  in,  how  styled  by 
Puritans,  143. 

Baptism,    license  of,   to   perform   in 
Conn.,  165. 

Baptists  Quaker,  why  so  called,  201. 

Bartow  Rev.  John,  birth  of;  inducted 
to   the   vicarage  of  Pampsford, 
Cambridge ;  removes  to  Ameri- 
ca;   Bishop  of  London's  admis- 
sion of,  10 ;  license  from  Bishop 
of  London  to  officiate  in  N.  T.. 
11;    mandate  from  Gov.   Corn- 
bury    to   induct,    12 ;    first    ap- 
pointed to   Rye,   13 ;    commen- 
ces   services     at     Westchester, 
15  ;  attempts  of  Independents  to 
disturb,    16,    17 ;    confirmed  in 
benefice,  25 ;  free  gift  of  town  to, 
32 ;    services  at  New  Rochelle, 
46 ;  answers  to  queries  of  Bis- 
hop of  London,  47 ;  violent  op- 
position to,  at  Eastchester,  365 ; 
admission   of  at  Christ  College, 
Cambridge,  125 ;    death  of,   &c, 
50 ;  his   descendants ;    last   will 
of;  51 
Bartow,  his  letters  to  Secretary   of 
V.  P.  S.,  13,   15,  22,  32,  33,  35, 
36,  38,  39,  40,  42,  44,  49,  50, 189, 
369,  434;    letter    to  Bishop  of 
London,  77. 
Barclay  Rev.  Henry,  appointed  mis- 
sionary at  Rye,  214  ;  conformity 
of.  238 ;  his  letter   to  Secretary 
of  V.  P.  S.,  68. 
Bartow  Rev.  Theodosius,   birth   of; 
appointed  lay  reader;  ordination 
of;  salary;  how  paid,  473;  re- 


INDEX. 


735 


signs  his  office  ;  vote  of  thanks 
to  for  long  service  ;  death  of,  474. 
Bartow  Basil,  appointed  school-mas- 
ter at  Westchester,  G5;  liberal 
donation  of,  123. 
Barlow  Rev.  William,  obituary  notice 

of,  G04. 
Bayard  Samuel,  donation  of,  129. 
Bayard  Rev.  Lewis  P.,  birth  of,  &c. ; 
joins  the  Church,  476  ;  ordination 
of;     officiates    at    Eastchester  ; 
called  to  New  Rochelle ;  removes 
to  Geneseo ;  organises  St.  Cle- 
ment's Church,  N.  Y. ;    receives 
honorary  degree  of  D.    D.  from 
Geneva  College;  embarks  for  the 
Holy  Land ;    dies  at  sea  on  his 
return,  477,  478. 
Baxter  Stebbins,  bequeathes  lands  to 
Sfc.  James'  Church,  North  Salem, 
572. 
Bede  the  Venerable,  describes  early 

mode  of  building  churches,  9. 
Bedford.  General  Court  orders  the  lay- 
ing out  of;  early  provision  for 
erection  of  meeting-house  and 
sapport  of  minister ;  Mr.  Prud- 
den,  Mr.  Denham  and  Mr.  Am- 
bler called ;  drum  and  conch  shell 
used  instead  of  bell,  616 ;  annexa- 
tion of  to  Rye;  obstinate  resis- 
tance to  royal  edicts ;  public  pro- 
perty vested  in  established  min- 
istry ;  choice  of  vestrymen  for ; 
quota  of;  town  agree  to  buy 
house  and  lot  of  minister,  617 ; 
town  taxed  for  support  of  min- 
ister ;  forty  acres  of  land  voted 
for  minister ;  Mr.  Morgan  called, 
and  agreement  with ;  proposes 
to  conform  ;  determination  of  in- 
habitants to  free  themselves  from 
Established  Church ;  Mr.  Jones 
called,  and  violation  of  law  for 
support  of;  Rev.  Alexander 
Stuart  appointed  miss.,  618  ;  Mr. 
Pritchard  protests  against  ap- 
pointment ;  treatment  of  Mr. 
Pritchard  by  Dissenters,  and  affi- 
davits   in   proof   of.    619 ;    Mr. 


Muirson  reports  compliance  of 
Dissenters,  620  ;  state  of  Presby- 
terian Society  at ;  Dissenting 
teachers  officiate  without  qualifi- 
cation ;  letter  from  parishioners  to 
Secretary  of  V.  P.  S.  621 ;  Mr. 
Lamson  appointed  missionary  at ; 
disposition  of  Dissenters,  and 
removal  of  New  Light  minister, 
622  ;  visited  by  Mr.  Dibblee  and 
St.  George  Talbot ;  liberal  bene- 
faction of  the  latter ;  great  con- 
fusion attendant  on  Revolution  ; 
parishioners  dispersed ;  incorpo- 
ration of  church  at ;  Mr.  Bar- 
tow officiating  minister  at ;  glebe 
purchased,  623  ;  endowment 
from  Trinity  Church  ;  Mr.  Stre- 
beck  called  ;  erection  of  present 
church  edifice  ;  Mr.  Felch  settled, 
624  ;  succeeded  by  Mr.  Weller  ; 
description  of  church  edifice  at  ; 
gift  of  communion  silver,  625 ; 
list  of  ministers  and  rectors ;  no- 
titia  parochialis,  &c,  626 ;  St. 
Mary's  Church  attached  to,  &c. 
627. 

Bellamont  Earl  of,  author  of  act  for 
erecting  Eastchester  into  parish 
44. 

Beza  advocates  conformity,  412 ;  ad- 
dress to  Queen  Elizabeth,  430, 

Bishop's,  Prot.  Am.,  first  consecration 
of,  97. 

Bishop  Suffragan,  charge  of  maintain- 
ing, 155  ;  recommended  for  Colo- 
nies, 259. 

Lishop's  great  want  of  in  Plantations, 
179,  184. 

Bolton  Rev.  Robert,  first  services  at 
Pelbam,  695;  birth  and  family 
of,  &c,  697. 

Bolton  Abby,  inscription  to,  698  ; 
notice  of,  700. 

Bolton  Elizabeth  Rebecca,  notice  of, 
700. 

Black  well  Rev.  Dr.  notice  of,  512. 

Bondet  Rev.  Daniel,  birth  of.  &c. ; 
receives  Holy  Orders  from  Bis- 
hop  of   London  ;     accompanies 


736 


INDEX. 


French  emigrants  to  Boston, 
Mass. ;  employed  by  Corporation 
for  P.  C.  F.  I.  at  New  Oxford, 
397  ;  missionary  among  Nipmug 
Indians ;  removes  to  New  Ro- 
chelle ;  Westchester  vestry  refuse 
to  call,  398 ;  serves  the  French 
Church  at  New  Rochelle ;  desti- 
titute  condition  of;  petitions 
Lord  Cornbury,  399,  400 ;  order 
and  report  thereon,  401 ;  first 
Episcopal  minister  in  the  county ; 
manorial  tenants  pay  their  pro- 
portion towards  support  of,  402  ; 
commission  of  413;  death  of 
wife ;  ill  treatment  of  by  Dissen- 
ters ;  death  and  interment  of; 
will  of,  432  ;  becmeathes  library 
to  church,  433. 

Bondet,  his  letters  to  Secretary  of  V. 
P.  S.,  403,  404,  414,  424,  425, 
426,  427, 

Bonrepos  Rev.  David,  D.  D.,  accom- 
panies Huguenots  in  their  flight 
from  France  ;  first  French  minis- 
ter at  New  Rochelle ;  addresses 
Gov.  Leisler  in  behalf  of  French 
settlers,  395 ;  removes  to  Rich- 
mond, Staten  Island;  conveys 
his  property  in  New  Rochelle  to 
his  son  Elias ;  letters  of  den- 
ization granted  to;  death  of,  396. 

Bonrepos  Elias,  licensed  to  keep 
school  at  New  Rochelle,  396. 

Brewster  Rev.  Mr.,  invited  to  East- 
chester,  358. 

Bowers  Mr.  John,  158. 

Brown  David,  epitaph  to,  346. 

Bridge  Rev.  Christopher,  birth,  and 
education  of,  190;. appointed  as- 
sistant minister  of  King's  Chapel, 
Boston;  proceeds  to  England  to 
solicit  subscriptions;  misunder- 
standing with  Mr.  Miles;  re- 
moves to  Narragansett ;  settle- 
ment at  Rye,  191 ;  commission 
from  Society;  Col.  Heathcote, 
high  testimonial  in  favor  of;  in- 
duction at  Rye  by  Gov.  Hunter, 
193,  194;  his  summary  method 


of  dealing  with  Sectaries  ;  death; 
of;  last  will  and  testament  of, 
207,  208. 

Bridge,  his  letters  to  Secretary  of  V. 
P.  S.,  195,  201,  204,  206,  207. 

Brooks  Rev.  Mr.,  156,  179,  184. 

Buckingham  Mr.,  212. 

Brown  James,  extract  from  will  of, 
Oil. 

Calvin  advocates  conformity,  412  ; 
good  advice  to  English  reformers, 
431. 

Camp  Rev.  Mr.  291. 

Carter  Rev.  Lawson,  478. 

Catechising  publicly  on  week  days,  18 
when  and  where  performed,  48, 
57,  228. 

Carter  Rev.  Abraham  B.  521. 

Catechists  high  testimonial  of,  282. 

Church,  first  organization  of,  in  West- 
chester county ;  great  progress 
in  New  England,  236,  237,  238, 
259 ;  terrible  confusion  and  dis- 
order of  during  Revolution,  90, 
319;  preservation  and  re- organ- 
ization of,  and  congeniality  with 
free  institutions,  327. 

Churchwardens,  first  election  of  at 
Westchester,  9 ;  ibid  at  Rye,  135. 

Church  rates,  protests  against  collec- 
tion of, 

Churches,  law  for  the  erection  of.  7, 
362  ;  early  form  of,  as  described 
by  Bede,  9 ;  provincial  method  of 
building,  59. 

Churches,  closing  of  during  Revo- 
lutionary war,  91. 

Church  Bibles,  presentation  of,  by 
Queen  Anne  and  others,  122,  602, 
573. 

Church  trustees  of,  rights  belonging 
to,  125. 

Church,  method  of  introducing  in 
Conn.,  168 ;  reformation  and  de- 
formation of,  197. 

Clark  Daniel,  appointed  catechist  at 
Westchester,  37. 

Chandler  Mr.,  catechist  at  Bedford, 
278. 


INDEX. 


737 


Chandler  Rev.  Dr.,  his  letter  to  Isaac 
Wilkins,  102. 

Clark  Rev.  Richard  S.,  birth,  pa- 
rentage and  education  of;  sails 
to  England  for  Holy  Orders;  li- 
cense from  Bishop  of  London ; 
appointed  missionary  at  New 
Milford,  Conn.;  removes  to  Gage- 
town,  New  Brunswick;  death, 
and  family  of,  555. 

Communion  Holy,  times  for  the  cele- 
bration of,  48,  228,  499. 

Colgan  Rev.  Thos.,  234,  242. 

Cleator  Joseph,  appointed  catechist 
at  Rye,  140 ;  arrival  of,  176, 
faithful  services  of,  177,  184  ;  mis- 
conduct of,  20G  ;  report  to  Secre- 
tary, 209  ;  sickness  of,  229  ; 
death  of,  260,  262. 

Clergy.  Colonial  convention  of,  14; 
meeting  to  express  loyalty  of,45 ; 
ancient  custom  of  interring,  50  ; 
unjust  charges  against,  86; 
bound  by  solemn  oaths,  90 ;  fre- 
quent consultations  necessary, 
200  ;  their  order  for  officiating  at 
Rye,  210 ;  good  harmony  among, 
275  ;  laws  of  Church  with  regard 
to,  292  ;  great  sufferings  and  loy- 
alty of,  318;  ancient  custom  of 
inducting,  303. 

Communion  plate,  royal  donation  of, 
122   229. 

Commissaries  Bishop's,  recommenda- 
tion of,  259. 

Continental  Fast,  its  effect  on  the 
Church,  505. 

Congregationalists,  great  movement 
among,  236 ;  their  ministers  de- 
clare for  Episcopacy,  237  ;  great 
numbers  among  royalists,  96. 

Congress  Provincial,  remonstrance 
from,  to  Gov.  Trumbull,  89  ;  con- 
gress, fixed  resolution  of,  101. 

Connecticut,  first  Episcopal  services 
in,  142,  151 ;  spiritual  condition 
oi,  151,  157;  conformity  of  Dis- 
senters in,  151,  237;  condition  of 
Church  in  western  portion  of, 
156,  160  ;  disadvantages  of  dis- 
seminating the  Gospel  in,  159 ; 
47 


Mr.  Muirson's  license  to  baptise 
in,  165;  best  method  of  intro- 
ducing the  Church  into,  16S ; 
great  reformation  in,  236  ;  friend- 
ly disposition  of  people  to  Church 
of  England,  264;  communicants 
and  baptisms  in,  206 ;  Mr.  Pun- 
derson's  services  in,  304. 

Convention  General,  delegation  from 
Southern  States,  93. 

Colen  Donck,  why  so  called,  4S5. 

Cooper  Rev.  Elias,  birth,  parentage 
and  education  of;  ordination  of; 
takes  charge  of  Yon  leers,  513 ; 
success  of,  514;  institution  of, 
515;  death  of.  ibid;  family  of, 
516;  monument  to,  523. 

Cornbury  Lord,  his  great  zeal  for  the 
Church,  44,  142,  144. 

Cortlandt,  early  history  of,  575,  576; 
first  Episcopal  services  at,  577; 
deed  for  church  lot  at  ,  578  ;  first 
trustees  of;  erection  of  church 
at ;  royal  charter  tor,  579,  580, 
5S1,  582,  583 ;  Mr,  Doty  recom- 
mended as  missionary  at ;  letter 
of  churchwardens  to  Secretary, 
584,  585,  586;  petition  of  war- 
dens to  Society,  587  ;  Mr.  Doty 
called,  5S8 ;  induction  of,  589  ; 
special  charter  for,  590 ;  donation 
of  Beverly  Robinson  to ;  gift  of 
Trinity  Church,  ibid;  erection  of 
parsonage  at,  592;  attempt  of 
Presbyterians  to  seize  church 
and  glebe;  re-incorporation  of 
church,  595 ;  Mr.  Fowler  ap- 
pointed minister ;  Mr.  Haskell, 
called ;  doors  of  church  closed ; 
cemetry  rented,  59S  ;  Mr.  War- 
ren called :  succeeded  by  Mr. 
TJrquhart ;  Mr.  Ten  Broeck 
settled,  599;  vestry  petition  to 
sell  glebe  ;  church  organized  in 
the  village  of  Peekskill ;  des- 
cription of  church  edifice ;  gifc 
of  Mrs.  Robinson  ;  tombstones ; 
.  description  of  chapel,  602  ;  prin- 
cipal benefactors ;  list  of  rectors, 
603,  604;  notitia  parochialis, 
and   list   of  wardens,  605. 


73S 


INDEX. 


Crosby  Rev.  Alexander,  birthof,  &c, 
517,  518  ;  ordination  of,  ibid  ; 
death  of,  519,  642,  647. 

Creighton  Rev.  Wm.  D.  D.  647.  716, 
717.  t 

Croton,  Episcopal  services  at,  607. 

County  of  Westchester,  general  popu- 
lation, and  first  settlers  in,  140. 

Court-house,  burning  of,  at  Westches- 
ter, 9. 

Crumpond,  early  Episcopal  services 
at,  305,  606;  gift  of  land  for 
erection  of  church  at,  607. 

Curtis  Rev.  John,  642. 

Davis  Rev.  Thos.,  239,  291. 

Davis  Rev.  Samuel  C,  670. 

Declaration  of  Independence,  its  effect 
upon  the  clergy,  320. 

Delpech  Mr.  catechist  at  Eastchester, 
62. 

De  Lancey,  family  of,  51S,  549,  550, 
631,  632. 

De  Lancey  Rt.  Rev.  Wm.  H.,  632, 631. 

Denham  Thomas,  donation  of  land  to, 
134,  158. 

Denham  Isaac,  gift  of  land  to  Grace 
Church,  Rye,  226,  229. 

Dibble  Rev.  Ebenezer,  birth  and 
education  of,  550 ;  declares  for 
Episcopacy ;  sails  for  Holy  Or- 
ders ;.  return  and  appointment  of, 
551;  death  of,  554. 

Dibblee,  his  letters  to  Secretary  of  V. 
P.  S.,  535,  537,  540,  551.  552, 
609. 

Dissenters,  number  of  at  Westches- 
ter, 6;  prejudices  of;  conformi- 
ty of,  158  ;  extraordinary  move- 
ment among,  236 ;  conduct  of, 
253,  256  ;  oppress  Church  peo- 
ple, 267  ;  trial  with  Church  peo- 
ple at  Rye,  281 ;  conformity  of 
at  Eastchester,  366. 

Doty  Rev.  John,  birth,  &c. ;  license 
to  officiate  ;  called  to  Peekskill, 
5S8 ;  admission  and  institution 
of;  mandate  from  Gov.  Try  on  to 
induct,  590  ;  removes  to  Sche- 
nectady ;  settles  in  Canada ; 
taken  prisoner ;  appointed  chap- 
lain ;  repairs  to  England  ;  return 


of,  and  settlement  at  Brooklyn  ; 
resigns  his  mission,  593,  594. 

Dwight  Mr.  Flint,  appointed  catechist 
at  North  Castle,  252 ;  diligence 
of,  256,  260 ;  recommended  as 
catechist  for  Rye,  203,  530,  532  ; 
death  of,  534. 

Eastchester,  first  Episcopal  service  at, 
17 ;  occupation  of  inhabitants, 
60 ;  why  made  a  distinct  parish, 
43;  erection  of  church  at,  44; 
included  in  appurtenances  of 
Westchester  parish,  59, 60 ;  claim 
of  Dissenters  at,  61  ;  erection  of 
new  stone  church  at,  82,  81;  re- 
united with  Westchester,  111; 
early  inhabitants  compelled  to 
support  minister  of;  petition  for 
separation  ;  protest  against 
Church  rates,  358 ;  Mr.  Joaes 
called,  359 ;  Mr.  Mather  settled, 
360;  meeting  house  erected  by 
rate,  361 ;  made  a  precinct  of 
Westchester,  ibid  ;  parsonage, 
lot  laid  out,  ibid :  Governor  re- 
fuses to  induct  Dissenter,  362  ; 
attempt  to  annul  act  of,  16,  93; 
parsonage  land  laid  out,  362,  363; 
Mr.  Morgan  called,  ibid  ;  inhabi- 
tants petition ;  act  declaring  se- 
paration, 364;  Mr.  Bartow  in- 
ducted ;  Independents  pay  quota 
towards  support  of,  365 ;  Dissent- 
ing teacher  supported  by  volun- 
tary contributions ;  conformity 
of  Dissenters  at,  366 ;  inhabitants 
address  V.  S. ;  account  of  erect- 
ing meeting-house,  366 ;  address 
for  abatement  of  quota,  367 ;  al- 
ways considered  joined  to  West- 
chester ;  payment  of  quota,  and 
repairs  of  church,  368 ;  efforts 
made  to  introduce  Dissenting 
teacher,  369 ;  Mr.  Tennent  offi- 
ciates at;  Rev.  Mr.  Standard  in- 
ducted and  i  pposed  by  Presby- 
terians ;  appointment  of  sexton  ; 
death  of  Mrs.  Standard,  371 ; 
parsonage  regulated,  and  founda- 
tion of  new  church  laid,  373 ; 
Mr.  Milner  inducted,  ibid ;  Mark 


INDEX. 


739 


Christian  appointed  sexton  ;  Mr. 
Wright's  cemetery;  application 
for  brief  to  finish  church ;  sus- 
pension of  services,  ibid ;  elec- 
tion of  trustees ;  management 
of  Church  property  ;  trustees 
elect  sexton,  375  ;  church  sex- 
tons ;  rental  of  glebe ;  town  de- 
fines boundaries  for  church,  376  ; 
rights  of  church  at,  37S  ;  enclos- 
ure of  church  lands,  379  ;  incor- 
poration of  church  under  wardens 
and  vestrymen ;  Mr.  Wilkins 
elected;  letter  of  Vestry;  Mr. 
Kearney  elected  ;  Mr.  Bayard 
called,  381 ;  description  of  church 
edifice,  3S2 ;  parsonage  and 
tombstones,  333,  3S4;  list  of  rec- 
tors,   notitia   parochialis,  386. 

Episcopacy,  republican  character  of, 
94,  95 ;  converts  to  from  Con- 
gregationalism, 236,  237,  23S, 
239 ;  increase  of,  276 ;  effects  of 
Revolution  upon,  326. 

Evans  TVm.  Matthew,  notice  of,  699. 

Episcopalians,  eminent  leaders  during 
Revolutionary  war,  91,  92,  93 ; 
prohibition  and  proscription  of, 
132. 

Eucharist  Holy,  seasons  for  the  cele- 
bration of,  48,  228. 

Famistical  parties,  persecution  of,  by 
Puritans,  131 

Fees  surplice,  value  of,  83. 

Felch  Rev.  Nathan,  571,  613,  624. 

Ferris  John,  will  of,  124. 

Festivals  church,  observance  of,  by 
colonial  clergy,  421. 

French  Church  of  N.  Y.,  how  re- 
duced, 430. 

Franklin  Dr.,  advice  to  his  daughter 
92. 

Fogge  Mr,  Ezekiel,  3,  353,  459. 

Fordharn,  Dutch  Ref.  congregation  at, 
184;  formerly  included  in  West- 
chester Parish  ;  erected  into  ma- 
nor. 725  ;  organization  of  parish 
727  ;  Incorporation  of  St.  dames' 
Church  at,  First  Rector  of;  ben- 
efactions to,  728. 

Forster     William,    school-master     at 


Westchester,  45,  46,  47,  62 
difficulty  with  Mr.  Standard,  64. 

Foote  Rev.  David,  birth,  &c,  332 ; 
education  and  ordination  of;  call 
to  Rye ;  death  of,  and  monu- 
ment to,  333. 

Forbes  Rev.  John  M.  Apostacy  of, 
346. 

Foxe's  Meadows,  Episcopal  services 
at,  229;  703. 

Fowler  Rev.  Andrew,  employed  as 
lay  reader  at  Rye,  327  ;  first 
services  at  New  Rochelle,  472 ; 
officiates  at  Yonkers,  512;  birth 
of,  &c,  596 ;  called  to  Peefcskill, 
ibid  ;  a  great  missionary,  597  ; 
death  of,  598. 

General  Court,  order  concerning  Rye, 
132,  133. 

Glebe,  common  right  of  Church  to, 
37S ;  freehold  who  vested  in,  ibid. 

Glebe  of  Westchester,  14,  23,  30,  31; 
32,  45,  77 ;  glebe  of  Rye,  134  , 
survey  of,  221;  description  of, 
229  ;  sequestration  of,  290. 

Goding  Mr.,  lay  reader,  360. 

Glover  Charles,  school-master  at 
Westchester,  87. 

Go  it  Mr.,  schoolmaster  at  Westches- 
ter, 87. 

Governor's  Provincial,  powers  of,  292. 

Greenburgh  Lower,  Indian  name  of; 
early  connected  with  Yonkers, 
646;  first  services  at;  erection 
of  church  edifice;  officiating 
clergy;  description  of  parochial 
church,  647,  618,  649;  chapel- 
school  of  St.  Barnabas,  650,  651, 
652 ;  dedication  of,  653 ;  origin 
of  scholarships  at,  65  i;  notitia 
parochialis,  655. 

Greenburgh  Upper,  incorporation  of 
parish ;  erection  of  church  edi- 
fice, 665  ;  memorials  to  Philipse 
family ;  parochial  statistics,  666. 

Greenwich,  Episcopal  services  at,  142, 

Graham  Col.  James,  14 ;  family  of, 
19;  author  of  law  for  mainten- 
ance of  clergy,  ibid. 

Guilford,  church  at,  3,  34. 

Guion  David,  release  of,  to  Trinity 
Church,  N.  R.,  469. 


740 


INDEX. 


Grigg  Rev.  John,  517. 

Hadley  Joseph,  22. 

Haight  Charles,  donation  of,  53G. 

Halsey  Rev.  Chas.  H.,  658. 

Halsey  Rev.  Wm.  F.  659. 

Harris  Rev   R.  W.,  515,  614,  643. 

Haskell  Rev.  Samuel,  337;  call  of, 
33S  ;  induction  of,  343  ;  death  of, 
314  ;  called  to  Peekskill,  598. 

Heathcote  Caleb,  attempts  to  induct 
Bondet,  4,  5 ;  treatment  of  in 
Conn.,  152  ;  testimony  to  mis- 
sionaries, 153  ;  advice  for  settling, 
clergy,  163,  1 67  ;  commendation 
of  Gov.  Hunter ;  biographical 
notice  of,  629,  632. 

Heathcote,  his  letters  to  the  Secretary, 
21.  133,  145,  153,  164,  167,  169, 
171,  174, 176,  177,  178,  179,  192, 
193,  197,  198,  405,  406,  420. 

Hamilton  Alexander,  reply  of,  to  Wil- 
kins,  112  ;  scholarship  of  at  Dear- 
man's. 

Hart  Glorianna,  307. 

Henderson  Rev.  M.  H.,  historical  dis- 
course of,  89,  98. 

Henry  Patrick,  noble  efforts  in  behalf 
of  Clnuch,  92.  r 

Henshaw  Rfc.  Rev.  J.  P.  K.,  observa- 
tions on  the  Revolution,  325,  327. 

Heyer  Rev.  Wm.  G-.  647. 

Holy  Orders,  great  peril  in  obtaining, 
69  ;  willingness  of  Dissenters  to 
receive,  151. 

Homilies,  presentation  of,  by  Queen 
Anne,  122. 

Hoit  Moses,  presentation  of,  to  Court 
of  Sessions,  358. 

Honey  well  Philip,  inscription  to,  124 

Houdin  Rev.  Michael,  a  native  of 
France,  453;  notice  of  from  So- 
ciety's abstracts,  455;  accompa- 
nies British  generals  to  Canada, 
479 ;  attempts  of  Romanists  to 
seduce ;  appointed  to  New  Ro- 
chelle,  457  ;  death  of,  470. 

Houdin,  his  letters  to  the  Secretary, 
454,  456,  465,  467. 

Huddleston,  school-master  at  Rye, 
204. 

Hunter   Gov.,  zeal  for  the   Church, 


419,  420;  letter  to  Secretary 
429. 

Hunt  Rev.  Robert,  early  services  of, 
in  Virginia,  92. 

Huguenots,  persecution  of,  by  Roman- 
ists, 388,  392 ;  cruelties  practised 
upon  ministers,  397. 

Hunt  Margaret,  704. 

Hutchinson  Ann,  settlement  at  Pel- 
ham;  death  of,  691. 

Hunt  Rev.  Isaac,  appointed  mission- 
ary to  Rye,  324 ;  death  of,  325. 

Hunt  Leigh,  325. 

Independents,  rigid,  refuse  conformity 
at  Eastchester,  43;  marriage  cere- 
mony of,  why  preferred,  83  ; 
mode  of  enforcing  conformity, 
131  ;  intolerance  of,  132,  152, 
170,  183,  264  ;  mode  of  erecting 
their  meeting-houses,  247 ;  origin 
of,  249  ;  infection  among,  269. 

Independency,  declaration  of,  and 
edict  issued  thereupon,  99. 

Induction,  meaning  of  ancient  mode 
of,  303,  301;  how  differing  from 
institution,   ]  10. 

Indians,  mission  among,  160  ;  descrip- 
tion of,  180,  181. 

Inglis  Rev.  Mr.,  letter  to  Secretary, 
506,  507,  569. 

Ireland  Rev.  John,  notice  of,  108 ; 
death  of,  110,  inscription  to,  111. 

Jackson  Rev.  Charles  D.  121. 

Jamaica,  disturbance  of  the  church 
at,  16. 

Jay  Peter,  329. 

Jay  Anna  Maria,  legacy  of  to  Rye, 
334. 

Jay  Anne,  donation  of,  to  Bedford, 
625. 

Jenney  Rev.  Robert,  notice  of,  21S  ; 
induction  of  by  Gov.  Burnet; 
219 ;  letters  to  the  Secretary, 
220,  221.  222,  255,  226;  his  an- 
swers to  the  Bishop  of  London, 
227,  230 ;  removed  to  Hemp- 
stead ;  settled  in  Philadelphia, 
230  ;  death  of,  and  inscription  to, 
231,  232;  death  of  Mrs.  Jenney, 
322. 


INDEX. 


741 


Johnson  Rev.  Samuel,  D.  D.,  6S ; 
notice  of,*237  ;  letter  to  Secretary, 
291 ;  letter  to  Arch-Bishop  of 
Canterbury,  492. 

Johnson  Rev.  Win.  appointed  assist- 
ant to  Mr.  Standard ;  death  of. 
68.  238. 

Jones  Mr.  Morgan,  3,  158,  359,  360. 

Jones  Rev.  Chas.  723. 

Katonah,  St.  Mark's  Church  at,   627. 

Kearny  Rev.  Ravaud,  notice  of,  4S1 ; 
called  to  New  Rochelle,  475. 

Keith  Rev.  George,  201. 

Keithians,  doctrines  of,  199,  2Q1. 

King  Hon.  Rufus,  dying  testimony  to 
Ven.  Society,  326. 

Lamson  Rev.  Joseph,  declares  for 
Episcopacy,  238  ;  appointed  as- 
sistant to  Mr.  Wetmore,  273 ; 
detention,  and  arrival  of,  273, 
274 ;  removal  and  marriage  of, 
289 ;  biography  of ;  letter  to  Sec- 
retary, 622,  533  ;  death  of,  534. 

Legislature  of  N.  Y.,  act  of,  in  rela- 
tion to  Westchester,   104. 

Leisler  Jacob,  re-leases  to  Huguenots, 
388. 

Le  Baron  Rev.  Jas,  F.  709. 

Liturgy,  how  styled  by  Puritans.  143 

Long  Reach,  donation  of  land  at,  as 
glebe,  45,  125. 

Long  Island,  parishes  and  glebes  of, 
220. 

Mac  Kenzie  Rev.  Mr.,  recommended 
to  Rye,  187. 

Mamaroneck,  heads  of  families  in,  248, 
230,  135;  petition  of  freeholders, 
140 ;  Indian  name  of,  628 ;  an- 
nexed to  Searsdale,  629 ;  appro- 
priated to  Rye  parish  ;  first  ves- 
tryman of,  632;  incorporation  of 
church  at ;  deed  for  church  lot, 
633 ;  Mc.  Henderson's  legacy  to  ; 
Rev.  Wm.  H.  de  Lancey  called  ; 
erection  of  church  edifice;  des- 
cription of  church,  and  list  of 
rectors,  635;  notitia  parochialis, 
636. 

Mandamus,  writ  of,  to  Justices,  223. 

Marcus  R«v.  Moses,  notice  of,  604. 

Marriages,    early  records  of;    where 


found,  3. 

Marshall  Chief  Justice,  eulogy  on,  93. 

Mather  Mr.  Warham,  3,  6,  25,  45, 
360. 

Mead  Rev.  Wm.  C.  641. 

Mead  Rev.  Edward  N.,  658. 

Meeting-houses,  erection  of,  by  pub- 
lic tax,  7,  8,  361,  362. 

Methodist  teachers,  influence  of,  270  ; 
great  confusion  produced  by, 
271 ;  wild  and  enthusiastic  no- 
tions of,  272. 

Middletown,  Conn.,  early  organiza- 
tion of  Church  at,  272. 

Middle  Patent,  St.  Mary's  Church  at, 
627. 

Miller  Rev.  John,  6. 

Milner  Rev.  John,  birth  of,  &c. ;  man- 
date to  induct,  69;  arrival  of,  71 ; 
resignation  and  letter  to  Secre- 
tary, 78  ;  recommended  to  West- 
chester, 291. 

Ministers  Dissenting,  refusal  of  Colo- 
nial Governors   to  induct,  362 ; 
.     absolute  power  of,  158. 

Ministers  Colonial,  how  supported 
and  chosen,  368  ;  early  conven- 
tion of,  14 ;  how  provided,  for  213 ; 
address  of  to  Secretary,  342 ; 
power  to  call,  110  ;  always  mem- 
bers of  vestry  in  their  respective 
parishes,  203 ;  constitution  of 
the  parishes  with  regard  to,  292. 

Ministry,  act  for  settlement  of,  4. 

Missionaries,  great  sufferings  of,  90  ; 
salaries,  how  paid,  144 ;  high 
testimonial  to,  2S8  ;  petition  Ven. 
Society,  189. 

Moore  Rev.  Richard  C,  elected  rec- 
tor of  Rye,  328 ;  removal  of,  331  ; 
subsequent  career  of,  332. 

Morgan  Mr.  Joseph,  363,  366. 

Moore  Rev.  John  W.,  671. 

Morris  Richard,  notice  of,  673,  674. 

Morris  Col.  Lewis,  commends  Gov. 
Hunter,  420  ;  donation  of  to  St. 
Peter's  Church,  121,  676;  first 
lay  impropriator  of  Morrisania; 
674  ;  notice  of  death,  678. 

Morris  his  letters  to  Secretary,  178, 
675,  676. 


r42 


INDEX. 


Morris  Isabella,  20 ;  obituary  notice 
of,  678.  ' 

Morris  Hon.Gouverneur,  679,  6S2,  684 

Morris  Gouverneur,  munificent  dona- 
tion of,  671. 

Morris  Ann,  tablet  to,  683. 

Morris  Lewis  G.  679. 

Morris,  Chief  Justice,  709. 

Morrisania,  contest  concerning,  38; 
early  settlement  of,  163 ;  early 
grantees  of.  673 ;  erected  into 
manor  ;  first  lay  impropriator  of, 
674;  Dutch  conformity  at,  676; 
order  of  Westcbester  vestry 
with  regard  to,  677  ;  interment 
of  Lewis  and  Isabella  Morris  at, 
678 ;  annexed  to  AVestchester 
parish  ;  foundation  of  St.  Ann's 
church  by  Grouverneur  Morris, 
679  ;  deed  of  gift,  680,  681 ;  des- 
cription of  church,  682 ;  incor- 
poration of,  683  ;  rectors  of,  6S4 ; 
wardens  of,  6S5. 

Morrisania  Upper,  formerly  included 
in  St.  Ann's  Parish,  719,  organi- 
zation of  parish  720;  description 
of  St.  Pauls  church,  at,  720; 
first  Rector  of,  721. 

Moulinars  Mr.,  usurpations  of,  428,442 

Mt.  Pleasant,  formerly  included  in 
Philipsburgh,  715,  erection  of 
church  at  717. 

Muirson  Rev.  George,  145  ;  notice  of, 
147,  148  ;  ordination  and  induc- 
tion of,  149 ;  anxiety  with  re- 
gard to  Conn.,  151  ;  cordially 
supported  by  Col.  Heathcote ; 
great  good  effected  by,  156,  15S  ; 
recommended  as  missionary  to 
Conn.,  159;  license  to  baptise  in 
Conn.,  165;  doggerel  verses  writ- 
ten upon,  170  ;  forbearance  of, 
174;  testimony  to  character  of, 
171,  178  ;  cruel  treatment  of,  1S2, 
183  ;  obituary  notice  of,  185,  307 ; 
will  of,  186;  Col.  Heathcote's 
letter  concerning,  187  ;  death  of 
Mrs.  Muirsoa,  1S6  ;  letter  of  mis- 
sionaries in  behalf  of  widow,  187. 

Muirson,  his  letters  to  Secretary,  150, 
151,  166,  167, 169, 170,  171,  175, 


176,  180,  181,  182,  183,  184. 

Munro  Rev.  Harry,  notice  of;  re- 
nounces Scottish  Kirk,  494  ;  ap- 
pointed chaplain  ;  sails  for  Ameri- 
ca, 495 ;  recommended  by  Dr. 
Auchumuty,  496,  497  ;  receives 
Episcopal  Orders,  498 ;  accepts 
call  to  Albany.  502 ;  causes  for 
removal  from  Yonkers  ;  removes 
into  Canada  ;  returns  into  Eng- 
land ;  settles  in  Scotland;  death 
of,  503. 

Munro  Peter  Jay,  504. 

Nantes,  revocation  of  edict ;  effect 
on  ministers,  397. 

Neau  Elias,  testimony  to  Mr.  Bartow, 
39 ;  appointed  catechist  to  the 
Indians.  161. 

New  England,  passive  obedience  of 
the  people  in,  158. 

Negro  plot,  63. 

New  Castle,  when  taken  from  North 
Castle,  329  ;  first  settlement  of; 
when  annexed  to  Rye  ;  number 
of  Quakers  at  530 ;  irreligious 
state  of  people  at  ;  neglect  to 
make  parish  rate,  531  ;  Mr.  Lam- 
son  appointed  assistant  at,  532  ; 
noble  benefaction  of  St.  George 
Talbot  to  ;  erection  of  church  at ; 
gifc  of  land  for,  543  ;  first  incor- 
poration of,  544 ;  destruction  of 
old  church  edifice,  and  consecra- 
tion of  the  new,  545 ;  re-incor- 
poration of,  &c,  546. 

New  Lights,  or  vagrant  preachers, 
numbers  of,  565. 

New  London,  mission  at,  104. 

New  Rochelle,  Mr.  Bartow  officiates 
at,  39  ;  state  of  congregation  at, 
60 ;  Calvanistic,  or  Presbyterian 
French  at,  84 ;  conformity  of 
Huguenots  at,  162 ;  confirmed 
by  Leisler  to  Huguenots,  3S7  ; 
sufferings  of  early  settlers,  38S, 
392 ;  petition  from  inhabitants 
to  Gov.  Fletcher,  ibid ;  settle- 
ment of  village,  393 ;  erection  of 
church  edifice  ;  early  gift  of  glebe 
and  burying  ground,  394 ;  Dr. 
Bonrepos,  first  minister  at,  395  ; 


INDEX. 


'43 


sale  of  land  to  church  elders, 
396;  Mr.  Bondet  called,  397; 
support  of  minister,  402;  church 
glebe;  how  laid  out,  407;  con- 
formity of  inhabitants,  407,  411  ; 
conformity  sanctioned  by  foun- 
ders of  French  Church,  412,  413; 
Ingoldsby's  license,  and  subscrip- 
tion to  erect  cluiTch  edifice,  415, 
417;  exertions  of  Gov.  Hunter 
to  erect  church  at,  420 ;  royal 
patent  for  church  and  ground  at, 

422,  423  ;  gift  of  town  to  church, 

423,  434;  decrease  of  Dissenters 
at,  42G ;  outrageous  conduct  of 
seceders  at,  428  ;  Independents 
condemned  by  discipline  of 
French  Church,  432;  death  of 
Mr.  Bondet,  432,  433 ;  services 
performed  by  Mr.  Bartow,  ibid  ; 
Mr.  Stouppe  appointed  minister 
at,  435  ;  building  of  church  edi- 
fice at,  440 ;  glebe  and  parish 
house  at,  441 ;  meeting  house 
begun  at,  442 ;  glebe,  how  laid 
out,  443;  letter  of  inhabitants  to 
Mr.  Orem,  447;  members  of 
Church  address  Society;  gift  of 
laud  to  Church,  448,  449 ;  ves- 
try announce  death  of  Mr. 
S:ouppe.  441,  452  ;  Mr.  Houdin 
appointed  missionary  at,  457  ; 
petition  of  inhabitants  to  collect 
funds  for  parsonage,  45S  ;  royal 
charter  confirmed,  459,  464  ;  at- 
tempt of  Calvanists  to  obtain 
church  glebe,  465 ;  release  of 
church  glebe,  467,  468 ;  foreclo- 
sure of  parsonage  lands  at,  470, 
475 ;  Mr.  Bartow  appointed 
minister  at,  473 ;  description  of 
church  at,  478  ;  gift  of  bell,  &c, 
479 ;  principal  benefactors  to, 
480 ;  list  of  ministers,  481 ;  war- 
dens of,  4S2,  484. 

North  Castle,  settlement  of,  6S6,  687 ; 
organization  of  parish,  6S8;  in- 
corporation of;  description  of 
church  edifice,  689 ;  Female  In- 
stitute at,  690 ;  notitia  paro- 
chialis,  691. 


Pell  Thomas,  purchases  of  in  West- 
chester, 693. 

Pell,  family  of,  693 ;  monuments  to, 
700. 

Pell  John,  first  lay  impropriator  of 
Pelham,  694. 

Pell  Georgiana  C,  700. 

Pell  John,  sale  of,  to  Leisler,  388. 

Pell  Joseph,  executors  of  re-lease 
church  glebe  at  New  Rochelle, 
467,  46S. 

Pelham,  early  settlement  of,  692  ; 
erected  into  manor,  693 ;  first 
lay  impropriator  of;  annexed  to 
Westchester  ;  first  vestryman  of, 
694  ;  seperated  from  New  Ro- 
chelle ;  organization  of  parish, 
695 ;  instrument  of  donation  ; 
incorporation  of;  first  rector  of, 
696;  description  of  church  edi- 
fice, 697,  698,  699,  700;  paro- 
chial school  at;  notitia  paro- 
chialis,  701  ;  wardens  of,  702. 

Ogilvie  Rev.  John  D.,  monument  to, 
664. 

Ogilvie  Rev.  John,  declares  for  the 
Church,  239;  appointed  minis- 
ter at  Rye,  335 ;  death  of,   336. 

Oostdorp,  early  Independent  services 
at,  2. 

Ossin-ing,  originally  included  in  Ph.il- 
ipsburgh,  656  ;  organization  and 
incorporation  of,  657 ;  Mr.  Mead 
called  rector  of,  658  ;  purchase  of 
parsonage  ;  description  of  church 
edifice,  659,  660 ;  notitia  paro- 
chialis.  661 ;  Chapel  of  All  Saints, 
belonging  to  parish  of,  662. 

Olssen  Rev.  Wm.  W.  709. 

Page  Rev.  B.,  notice  of,  594. 

Panton  Rev.  George,  notice  of,  508 ; 
appointed  to  Philipsburgh ;  re- 
moves to  England,  509,  510. 

Parishes,  first  division  of  in  West- 
chester county,  4;  unequal  dis- 
tribution of,  155. 

Palmer  Rev.  Solomon,  23S,  295,  296. 

Parsonage  Point,  belonging  to  glebe 
at  Rye,  221. 

Parsonage  lands,  at  Westchester,  14. 
22,  30,  31,  48,  72,  78,  109,  121. 


744 


INDEX. 


Parsonage  lands  at  Rve,  133,  134. 
220,  221.  222,  223.  224.  226,229, 
245,  280,  281,  290,  348. 

Parsonage  lands  at  Eastchester,  359 
361,  363,  372. 

Parsonage,  rule  of  common  law  con- 
cerning, 378. 

Partridge  Per.  Alfred  H.,  691. 

Peck  Rev.  Isaac.  722. 

Perry  Rev.  David,  notice  of.  570. 

Perry  Commodore,  M.  C,  donation  of 
717. 

Pew  holders,  rights  of,  125. 

Philipse  Col.  Frederick,  gift  of  glebe 
to  Philipsburgh,  31,  489,  490; 
family  of,  486 ;  notice  of,  491  ; 
monument  to,  492 ;  letter  to 
Secretary,  493. 

Poningoe  Neck,  share  of,  to  minister 
at  Rye,  134. 

Popham  Wm.  H..  donation  of,  709. 

Popham,  Wm.  S.709,  712. 

Portchester  organization  cf  church 
at,  &c.  722. 

Powell  Rev.  William,  elected  assist- 
ant to  Mr.  Wilkins,  113;  death 
of,  and  inscription  to,  120. 

Poyer  Rev.  Mr.,  his  troubles  at  Ja- 
maica, 40  ;  notice  of,  211 ;  letter 
to  Secretary,  212. 

Poundrid?e,  organization  of  Church 
at,  627. 

Prayer  book,  wonderful  effect  of,  236. 

Presentation,  laws  concerning,  6. 

Presbyterians,  their  aspersions  upon  ci- 
vil and  ecclesiastial  government, 
265 ;  closely  allied  to  Indepen- 
dents, 222  ;  threaten  Church  peo- 
ple at  Rye,  246;  mode  of  erect- 
ing meeting  houses,  247  ;  temper 
of,  at  Rye,  293 ;  divine  right  of 
ordination,  &c,  264.  265. 

Presbyterian  minister  not  allowed  to 
officiate  at  Eastchester,  50. 

Pritchard  Rev.  Thoma3,  arrival  of,  29 ; 
notice  of,  137 ;  induction  of,  by 
Gov.  Cornbury,  138 ;  letters  to 
Secretary,  141,  145. 

Pritchard  Rev.  Thomas,  death  of,  146 ; 
letters  of  administration  granted 
to  widow  of,  147. 


Protest  of  royalists  at  White  Plains. 
86. 

Prudden  Rev.  Peter,  133. 

Pulpit  cloths,  royal  presentation  of, 
122. 

Punderson  Rev.  Ebenezer,  declares 
for  Episcopacy,  237;  called  to 
Rye,  293;  difficulty  with  Mr. 
Palmer,  295,  298  ;  family  of,  ibid ; 
induction  of,  &c,  300 ;  certificate 
of  induction,  302 ;  letter  to  Sec- 
retary. 303,  304 ;  death,  of,  &c. 
306. 

Punderson,  Rev.  Ephraim,  306. 

Punderson  Cyrus,  M.  D.,  1S6,  307. 

Puritans,  early  settlement  at  West- 
chester and  Rye,  2,  131 ;  abuse 
of  liturgy  and  sacraments,  143 ; 
state  of  heathenism  among,  158 ; 
doggerel  verses  upon  Mr.  Muir- 
son,  170. 

Purdy  Samuel,  recommendation  of, 
.261 ;  appointed  schoolmaster  at 
Rye,  264 ;  letter  to  Secretary, 
231;  death  of,  2S4. 

Putnam  Gen.  Israel,  marries  widow 
of  Rev.  E.  Avery,  313. 

Pyne  Rev.  Smith,  519. 

Quakers,  builders  of  church  at  West- 
chester, 59 ;  wholesale  conformi- 
ty of,  77  ;  persecuted  by  Inde- 
pendents, 131  ;  ranting,  199 ; 
baptist,  201 ;  Mr.  Bridges'  dis- 
pute with,  202;  practises  of, 
205;  conduct  of,  at  Rye,  252; 
industry  to  propagate  sect,  254. 

Queen  Anne,  royal  donation  of,  to 
Westchester ;    why    called    the 

/  "  good  Queen  Anne,"  122;  gift 
to  Rye,  245 ;  gift  to  New  Ko- 
chelle,  479. 

Queries  of  Bishop  of  London  to  Mr. 
Bartow,  47 ;  to  Mr.  Jenney,  227 , 
to  Mr.  Stouppe,  436. 

Roosevelt  family,  interment  of,  700. 

Rand  John  schoolmaster  at  Rye,  318 

Rate  payers,  duties  of,  378. 

Readers  lay,  appointment  of,  24. 

Regeneration  erroneous  opinions  con- 
cerning, 272 ;  controversy  upon, 


INDUS 


rifl 


Revolution,  real  causa  of,  87 ;  sad 
effects  of,  318,  326. 

Revolutionary  worthies,  list  of,  326. 

Ridgefield  proposes  to  unite  with 
Rye,  273 ;  united  with  Salem, 
550,  609 ;  erection  of  church  at, 
274. 

Robinson  Col.  Beverly,  275 ;  notice 
of,  591,  592. 

Rodman  Rev.  Washington;  705. 

Rogers  Rev.  Evan,  notice  of,  339 ; 
death  of,  340;  inscription  to  341. 

Robinson  Susannah,  notice  of,  601. 

Roux  Rev.  Monsieur  Lewis,  cruel 
treatment  of,  by  seceders,  428 ; 
memorial  to  Gov.  429,  430. 

Rye,  Mr.  Bartow  appointed  first  mis- 
sionary at,  13  ;  history  of  parish, 
130;  annexation  of,  to  N.  Y., 
131;  first  Independent  teacher 
at,  132 ;  gift  of  parsonage  point 
at,  134;  act  of  Assembly  for 
Erecting  parish  of;  first  election 
of  wardens  and  vestry;  rate  to 
repair  parsonage,  135 ;  school- 
master at,  140 ;  license  to  build 
church  at,  164 ;  erection  of 
church  at,  151  ;  Dissenting 
teachers  at,  158  ;  early  provision 
of  parsonage  for,  ibid ;  first  Epis- 
copal services,  where  held,  164; 
description  of  old  church  edifice ; 
completion  of,  180  ;  description 
of  Indians  resident  in,  180,  181 ; 
Mr.  Reynolds  appointed  mission- 
ary to,  189,  190;  Mr.  Bridge 
commissioned  minister  to,  and 
inducted  at,  193,  194,  199 ;  par- 
sonage house  and  land  belonging 
to;  church  built  by  public  tax, 
205;  opposition  of  Independents 
at,  209 ;  progress  of  dissent,  at, 
212  ;  Mr.  Jenney  called  to,  215, 
217  j  parsonage  repair'd  by  public 
tax,  219 ;  house  St  glebe,  survey  of; 
221 ;  church  lot  draft  and  survey 
of,  224,  225 ;  gift  of  glebe  by 
Mr.  Denham,  226 ;  description  of 
church,    228 ;    parochial    library 

4S 


at,  230 ;  vestry  of  petition  232 ; 
Mr.  Wetmore  called,  233;  let- 
ter of  vestry  to  V.  P.  S.,  240  ; 
building  of  church,  244 ;  Queen 
Anne's  gift  to  ;  glebe  and  par- 
sonage of,  245 ;  first  erection  of 
meeting  house  at,  246  ;  number 
of  meeting  houses  in  parish  of, 
249 ;  number  of  schools,  250  ; 
repairs  of  church,  261 ;  decrease 
of  sectaries,  266  ;  fresh  attempts 
to  promote  dissent,  277 ;  glebe 
claimed  by  Dissenters,  279 ;  noble 
benefaction  to,  285  ;  sequestration 
of  glebe,  290  ;  state  of  Presby- 
terian society  at,  292;  church- 
wardens letter  to  Secretary,  294 ; 
glebe  and  parsonage,  295  ;  royal 
charter,  307;  confirmation  of 
church  and  cemetery,  308  ;  burn- 
ing of  parochial  church ;  last 
meeting  of  vestry,  325  ;  first  re- 
ligious services  after  Revolution ; 
first  delegation  from,  328 ;  trus- 
tees chosen,  329  ;  re-election  of 
wardens  and  vestrymen,  330  ; 
re-construction  of  church,  ibid  ; 
change  of  corporate  title,  334, 
337  ;  purchase  of  parsonage  and 
glebe,  335,  34S ;  incorporation 
of  church  at,  337  ;  erection  of 
new  church,  343 ;  principal  bene- 
factors to,  348 ;  rectors  of,  &c, 
350 ;  notitia  scholastica ;  pew 
holders,  351 ;  churchwardens  of, 
352. 

Rye  Neck,  proposed  erection  of  a 
chapel  on,  344. 

Sacrament  of  Lord's  Supper,  times  of 
administration  of,  18,  14S,  228. 

Salem  North,  early  history  of,  548; 
union  with  Ridgefield,  550 ;  first 
religious  services  at,  551 ;  erec- 
tion of  church ;  boundaries 
of  glebe,  &c,  554 ;  Mr.  Clark 
officiates  at,  555 ;  letter  of  vestry 
to  Secretary,  556,  557;  Mr. 
Townsend  appointed  to,  558 ; 
Mr.  Perry  called  to,  570 ;  erec- 
tion of  present  church,  571,  572; 
incorporation  of;    Mr.  Baxter's 


746 


INDEX. 


bequest  to ;  erection  of  parso- 
nage ;  boundaries  of  glebe,  ibid  ; 
parochial  statistics,  574 ;  list  of 
wardens,  575. 

Salem  South,  608  ;  gift  of  land  to  In- 
dependent minister  of;  Mr.  Dib- 
blee,  first  officiates  at,  609 ;  Mr. 
Townsend  appointed  missionary 
to,  610 ;  erection  of  church  at, 
611  ;  parish  church,  dismantling 
of;  deed  for  church  lot,  612  ;  in- 
corporation of;  new  church 
erected  at;  notitia  parochialis, 
614. 

Sands  Rev.  John  J.,  notice  of;  called 
rector  to  Rye,  334  ;  resignation 
of,  335. 

Saybrook,  Independent  college  at,  235. 

Scarsdale,  first  Episcopal  services  at, 
708  ;  incorporation  of  church ; 
deed  church  for  lot,  709, 710,  711  ; 
description  of  church  at,  712,713, 
notitia  parochialis.  wardens,  &c, 
714. 

Seabury  Rev.  Samuel,  appointed 
missionary  at  Westchester ;  fam- 
ily of,  79  ;•  admission  of,  SO,  81  ; 
carried  prisoner  to  New  Haven, 
88 ;  petition  and  discharge  of, 
89 ;  escapes  from  Westchester, 
99 ;  missionary  at  Staten  Island, 
101  ;  appointed  chaplain,  102 ; 
sails  for  England ;  consecration 
in  Scotland,  102,  103  ;  death  of, 
and  monument  to,  104,  237  ; 

Seabury,  his  letters  to  the  Secretary, 
82,  83,  84,  85,  88,  100,  101,  322, 
323,  373,  471,  472,  507 ;  letter  to 
Mr.  Wilkins,  87. 

Seabury  Nathaniel,  school  master  at 
Westchester,  77. 

Seabury  Rev.  Samuel,  epitaph  to,  79. 

Seabury  Rev.  Charles,  missionary  at 
New  London,  104. 

Sectaries,  definition  of,  by  Puritans, 
131,  265. 

Sermons  funeral,  means  of  communi- 
cating religious  knowledge,  84. 

Services  public,  great  slackness  in  at- 
tendance upon,  247. 

Setauket,  Caroline  church  at.  312. 


School  parochial,  nurseries  for  the 
Church,  71. 

Schoolmasters,  Venerable  Society's  at 
Westchester,  126. 

Schoolmasters  at  Rye,  351 ;  high  com- 
pliment to  zeal  and  industry  of, 
282. 

Scarsdale,  early  services  at,  229 ; 
heads  of  families  in,  248. 

Short  Rev.  David  H.,  670. 

Sherlock  Bishop,  69. 

Shelton  Rev.  George  A.,  51. 

Smith  Mr.  Dissenting  teacher  at  Rye, 
312. 

Society  for  Prom,  and  Prop,  of  the 
Gospel,  &c,  foundation  of,  397. 

Society  for  Prop,  of  the  Gospel  in  N. 
E.,  organization  of,  397. 

Society  Venerable  Prop.,  first  mem- 
bers of  in  Westchester  Co.,  152; 
missionaries  of,  189 ;  letter  to 
vestry  of  Rye,  280 ;  letter  with 
regard  to  Rye,  292.  , 

Somers,  parish  of,  667  ;  united  with 
North  Salem;  organization  of, 
668  ;  erection  of  church  edifice, 
669 ;  description  of  church ;  no- 
titia parochialis,  671 ;  list  of  war- 
dens, 672. 

Strebeck  Rev.  Geo.,  571,  624,  668. 

Stamford,  Episcopal  services  at,  158, 
266,  283. 

Standard  Rev.  Thomas,  family  of,  55  : 
mandate  to  induct,  66 ;  difficulty 
with  schoolmaster  at  Westches- 
ter, 64 ;  notice  of  death,  65  ;  will 
of,  67,  68 ;  officiates  at  Eastches- 
ter,  370;  melancholy  death  of 
Mrs.  Standard,  371 ;  removal  of 
remains,  372. 

Standard  Rev.  Mr.,  letters  to  Secre- 
tary, 55,  58,  370. 

Staten  Island,  ruined  state  of  mission 
at,  102. 

Stouppe  Rev.  Peter,  minister  at  New 
Rochelle,  60 ;  notice  of,  435  an- 
swers of,  to  Bishop  of  London. 
436,  437;  visits  Europe,  447, 
death  of,  451 ;  interment  of,  453. 

Storrs  Rev.  Henry  L.,  519.  521; 
monument  to,  524. 


INDEX. 


747 


Stuart      Rev.      Alexander,     recom- 
mended   to   Bedford,    144 ;    ap- 
pointed missionary  there,  619. 
Sturgeon    Wm..   schoolmaster,  at 
Rye,  277. 

St.  John's  church,  Pleasantville.  no- 
tice of;  717. 

St.  Mary's  church,  Beechvvood,  de- 
scription of,  716,  717. 

Suffolk  county  resolves,  opinion  of 
clergy  concerning,  565. 

Talbot  Rev.  John,  charged  with  Ja- 
cobitism,  49. 

Talbot  St.  George,  noble  benefaction 
of,  275,  535  ;  biographical  notice 
of,  541 ;  will  of,  542 ;  letters  to 
Secretary,  533,  539,  540,  551, 
552. 

Taxation  without  representation  en- 
forced by  Puritans,  89. 

Tennison  Archbishop,  pious  bequest 
of,  41. 

Tennent  Rev.  Wm.,  officiates  at 
Eastchester,  369. 

Ten  Broeck  Rev.  Petrus  S.,  599. 

Thomas  Rev.  Juo.  appointed  mission- 
ary at  Hempstead,  154;  letter 
to  Secretary,  213,  293. 

Thomas  Hon.  John,  329. 

Tomes  Rev.  Charles,  659. 

Thompson  Rev.  William,  notice  of, 
344,  345  ;  inscription  to,  346. 

Townsend  Rev.  Epenetus,  notice  of, 
558,  559;  melancholy  fate  of, 
568,  569 ;  letters  to  Secretary, 
560,  567. 

Tracts,  useful  impression  created  by, 
83. 

Trinity  Church,  N.  Y.,  liberal  dona- 
tions of,  1,  2,  3,  275,  339,  4S0, 
526,  545,  572,  603,  624,  644,  654, 
658. 

Throckmorton  John,  persecution  of, 
by  Baptists,  1,  2. 

Trustees,  powers  of,  374. 

Tuckahoe  organization  of  Parish,  723 ; 
description  of  church  at;  gift  of 
land,  &c,  724 

Urquhart  Rev.  Mr.,  difficulties  at  Ja- 
maica, 154  ;  memorial  of  mission- 
aries in  behalf  of  widow  of,  188. 


Urcmhart  Rev.  John,  59'J. 
Tan  Cortlandt  Augustus,  514.  ; 

Van  Cortlandt  Frederick,  ibid. 
Van  Cortlandt,  family  of,  576. 
Van  Cortlandt  Gen.  Pierre,  obituary 
notice  of,  577. 

Vermilye  Rev.  Isaac  Dyckman,  510 
690. 

Vesey  Rev.  Mr.,  Commissary ;  letter 
to  clergy,  209;  letter  to  Secre- 
tary, 210  ;  enquiries  into  the  con- 
duct of  Mr.  Standard,  64. 

Vestry,  act  for  election  of,  24  ;  refuse 
to  grant  the  annual  quotas,  41  ; 
declare  Eastchester  seperate  from 
Westchester,  43 ;  major  part 
power  to  call  minister;  disqua- 
lification of,  6  ;  rights  of,  to  sell 
pews,  125,  meetings  of,  not  be 
held  without  minister  ;  powers 
of,  292,  303  ;  discordant  elements 
in  colonial,  293  ;  popular  election 
of,  368. 

Virginia,  unlawful  seizure  of  church 
glebes  in,  92. 

Vredeland,  why  so  called  2. 

Waldron  Wm.  W-,  founder  of  St. 
James'  Library,  Fordham,  72S. 

Weaver  Rev.  Joshua,  727. 

West  Farms,  early  proprietors  of  703  ; 
separated  from  AVestchester,  704 ; 
first  Episcopal  services  at,  705  ; 
description  of  church,  706 ;  liberal 
contributors  to  church  at,  ibid ; 
Notitia   Parochialis,  707. 

Walker's  Sufferings  of  the  Clergy, 
proper  supplement  t©,  320. 

Walton  Mr.,  coaductof,  at  Rye,  246  ; 
followers  of  old  Independent 
party,  249. 

Warren  Rev.  Joseph,  599. 

Weckquaskeck,  130. 

Weller  Rev.  Geo.,  571,  613,  625. 

Wetmore  Rev.  James,  call  of  to  Rye, 
232,  233  ;  family  of,  235 ;  sails 
for  England,  236;  mandate  of 
Gov.  Burnet  to  induct,  239; 
letter  of  vestry  to  V.  P.  S.  con- 
cerning, 241 ;  see  appendix  for 
letter;  controversy  with  Qua- 
kers, 255;    death  of,  286,  291; 


748 


INDEX. 


monumental  inscription  to,  286 ; 
works  of,  &c,  287  ;  descendants 
of,  288 ;  last  will  of,  289,  290 ; 
settlement  with  executors  of, 
291. 

Wetmore,  his  letters  to  the  Secretary, 
243,  251,  252,  253,  254,  255,  256, 
280,  284,  285. 

Wetmere  Timothy,  appointed  school- 
master at  Rye,  2S4 ;  notice  of, 
288;  letters  to  Secretary,  292, 
312. 

Wetmore  Rev.  Robert  G-.,  notice  of, 
288. 

Wetmore  James,  appointed  school- 
master at  Rye,  ibid. 

Wetmore  Ezrahia,  notice  of,  289. 

Westchester  parish,  1 ;  Independent 
services  at,  2,  3 ;  erection  of 
meeting  house,  &c.  6,  7;  built 
by  public  tax,  8  ;  removal  of,  9 ; 
burning  of  court  house  at,  ibid  ; 
first  wardens  and  vestrymen  of, 
20  ;  lay  readers  provided  for,  24 ; 
land  given  for  glebe  at,  30,  31 ; 
great  progress  of  church  at,  44 ; 
account  of  erecting  church  at; 
glebe  of  twenty-three  acres  at, 
45 ;  bishop  of  London  obtains 
land  for  church  at,  22,  23 ;  undi- 
vided tract,  called  Longreach, 
given  for  glebe  at,  45;  church, 
how  repaired,  46;  extent  of  par- 
ish, and  number  of  families  in, 
47;  value  of  benefice,  &c,  48; 
description  of  church  at ;  given 
by  Quakers  to  Col.  Heathcote, 
59  ;  number  of  meeting  houses 
in  parish  of;  royal  charter  for, 
73,  76 ;  repairs  of  parsonage  and 
purchase  of  glebe  land,  77  ;  dese- 
cration of  church,  and  deplorable 
state  of  parish  at,  99,  100 ;  great 
accessions  to  church  at,  82  ;  pro- 
fessed Dissenters  at,  84 ;  erec- 
tion of  township,  105  ;  election 
of  trustees,  ibid;  trustees  peti- 
tion V.  P.  S.  ibid;  erection  of 
new  church  edifice,  107 ;  confir- 
mation of  church  and  burying 
ground,  108;   re-lease  of  bury- 


ing ground,  109;    incorporation 
of  church  at,  110;    union    with 
Eastchester,  111 ;  list  of  benefac- 
tors, pew   holders  and   rectors, 
123, 124,  125  ;  notitia  parochialis, 
126 ;  inhabitants  and  wardens  of, 
127. 
Westchester   Co.,    early  method    of 
building  churches  in,  59 ;    Dis- 
senting ministers  of;    proposed 
division  of  parishes,  155  ;    sub- 
dvision  of  parishes  in,  4;  gene- 
ral population  of,  140J;  treatment 
of  reformers  in,  19S ;  low  ebb  of 
religion  in,  292 ;    observance  of 
the  Lord's  day  in,  312. 
White  Plains,  parish   of,   638 ;    first 
Episcopal  services  at ;  the  Inde- 
pendents of,  246,  249,  253,  639  ; 
catechetical  instructions  at,  266, 
282,    639 ;  large   attendance   of 
people  at ;  Mr.  Rogers  officiates 
at,    640 ;  withdraws   from   Rye 
344, 641 ;  incorporation  of  church, 
641 ;  description  of  church  edi- 
fice,  643  ;    donation   of  Trinity 
Church  to,  644  ;  churchwardens 
of,  645. 
White  Plains  West,  chapel  of  Ease 

at,  644. 
Whitefield    Rev.  George,  pernicious 

tenets  broached  by,  272. 
Wilkins  Rev.  Isaac,  Bishop  Seabury's 
letter  to,  S7 ;  Chandler's  letter 
to,  102;  family  of,  111;  letter 
to  fellow  countrymen,  112  ;  visits 
Nova  Scotia;  death  of,  &c,  114, 
119;  "the  Watchman,"  a  poem 
to,  117;  Wilkins  Isabella,  inscrip- 
tion to,  122. 
Woodbridge  Mr.  Independent  teacher 

at  Rye,  25,  158. 
Yale,  students  of,  fined  for  attending 
Episcopal  services,    239 ;    com- 
mencement at,  276. 
Tonkers,  parish  of,  485 ;  early  associ- 
ated with  Westchester.  25,    45, 
487 ;    first  vestrymen  of,   ibid ; 
'  first  services,  where  held ;  peo- 
ple determine  to   erect  church ; 
Mr.    Jones    catechist    at    Mile 


INDEX. 


749 


Square,  4S8;  Mr.  Philipse  be- 
queathes site  of  church  aud  glebe, 
71,  48S;  tenants  taxed  for  erec- 
tion of  church,  489 ;  state  of  pre- 
cinct, described  by  Dr.  Johnson 
and  others,  492,  493  ;  Mr.  Munro 
appointed  missionary  at ;  Assem- 
bly refuse  to  erect  manor  into 
parish,  49G ;  state  of  religion 
among  Dissenters  at ;  commu- 
nion silver  provided  for ;  des- 
cription of  Dissenters  at,  499, 
500  ;  growth  of  Church  at,  501 : 
conformity  of  Dissenters  at,  502  ; 


Mr.  Babcock  appointed  mission- 
ary at,  SOS ;  State  restores 
Church  property  ;  distraction  of 
parish,  and  abortive  attempts  of 
Dissenters,  511,  Mr.  Fowler 
collects  congregation  at,  512; 
Mr.  Cooper  called  to  rectorship, 
513 ;  description  of  church  edi- 
fice, 522  ;  sale  of  old  parsonage, 
525;  principal  benefactors  of, 
list  of  ministers,  526 ;  popula- 
tion and  wardens  of,  527. 
Youngs  George,  schoolmaster  at 
Westchester,  84. 


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